Asia's Largest St. Patrick's Day Event

The “I Love Ireland Festival 2018” (ILIF) will celebrate its fifth year on the weekend of the 17th and 18th of March 2018 in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo. The event is organised by the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) with the support of the Embassy of Ireland in Japan.

Visitor's will celebrate Ireland's national holiday, St. Patrick's Day, while enjoying a weekend of entertainment, food, drinks, sport, education, culture and more. It is anticipated that some 130,000 people will attend the two-day festival.

The Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Anne Barrington said, “From small beginnings, the I Love Ireland Festival has grown to become the biggest forum for Irish and Japanese people to mingle and celebrate everything that is best about Irish music, food and dance. I am certain that 2018 will be the best I Love Ireland Festival yet!”

The festival will play host to a wide range of music, dance, stage performances, guest speakers and on-stage presentations.

On Sunday 18th March, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will travel the length and breadth of Omotesando. The street will be lined with the national flags of Ireland and Japan. Since 1992 the parade has been entertaining the people of Tokyo with a procession of Irish costumes, music, sports and dance.

The festival is just one part of the ever-growing number of St. Patrick’s Day events around Japan. In 2017, a record 14 parades were held in towns and cities across the country. Team Ireland in Japan, in partnership with the I Love Ireland Festival management company La Ditta Limited, are aiming to make the 2018 celebrations in Tokyo the biggest and best ever.

The President of the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce, Eamonn Murphy, said, "We're delighted that the I Love Ireland Festival continues to grow and reach new audiences. The Irish community enjoys sharing our culture and heritage with the people of Japan. And don't forget, on St Patrick's Day, everyone's Irish for the day!"

Further updates will be provided over the coming months. We're looking forward to seeing you at the festival.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/iloveireland.japan

Website - http://www.iloveireland.net/