Over 300,000 visitors were estimated to have recently flocked to Yoyogi Park in Shibuya to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Thai Festival in Tokyo, the largest Thai cultural event of its kind and a much-anticipated highlight of the city’s events calendar.
Held from May 10th–11th, 2025, the festival featured a vibrant blend of cultural performances, culinary offerings, and exhibitions, while also promoting the kingdom’s soft power, creative economy, and agricultural excellence on the global stage.
Thailand puts creative industries front and center
The opening ceremony was presided over by Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa and representatives of key Thai agencies as well as Japanese officials, including Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko, State Minister for Health Niki Hirobumi, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Education Akamatsu Ken.
In her speech, Vice-Minister Ikuina highlighted revitalized exchanges between the two nations, with mutual visitor numbers surpassing one million per annum. She also noted that the festival has played a vital role in strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Japan and Thailand.
This year’s theme, “Creative Thailand,” underscored the Thai government’s push to elevate its creative industries while reinforcing diplomatic and economic ties ahead of the 140th anniversary of Thailand–Japan relations in 2027.
Organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo and Team Thailand, the festival featured over 150 booths showcasing everything from Thai street food and tropical fruits to cutting-edge innovations in the creative sector.
Attendees enjoyed a packed schedule of performances, from traditional Muay Thai demonstrations and classical dances to live concerts featuring Thai pop idols such as BNK48, CGM48, and stars from popular series like “4MINUTES.”
The festival served as a high-profile platform for Thailand’s soft power strategy, which aims to export Thai cultural assets and creative products to global markets. The effort is part of a wider diplomatic push that will see Thai festivals staged in 45 cities across 32 countries throughout 2025.
Thai agriculture as part of economic diplomacy
Among the standout participants was the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS), which promoted the theme “Thai Agricultural Standards, Global Agricultural Standards.” The ACFS booth highlighted Thailand’s leadership in sustainable food production and agricultural safety, including innovations such as high-protein Wolffia (duckweed) eggs and edible insect products.
The interactive booth, which included games and giveaways, drew attention from both the public and policymakers. Foreign Minister Maris and Japanese lawmaker Niki Hirobumi were among the figures who engaged with ACFS representatives on the importance of food safety and product standardization. Their presence signaled a shared interest in expanding Thai-Japanese collaboration in the areas of agriculture and food systems.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Thai Festival in Tokyo is not only a celebration of cultural heritage, but also a vehicle for facilitating proactive economic diplomacy. By linking Thai creative industries, tourism services, and agricultural exports with international partners, the festival aligns closely with the kingdom’s national strategies to enhance its global competitiveness and promote inclusive economic growth.
With the success of its 25th edition, the Thai Festival in Tokyo again reaffirms Thailand’s commitment to bridging cultures, expanding trade, and setting the stage for even deeper cooperation between Thailand and Japan.
Teerin Julsawad