Celebrating International Women’s Day in Japan 2026

Looking for a fun way to celebrate International Women’s Day? Here are some events to get you involved this March!

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8 with a focal point in the women’s rights movement. Here at Savvy Tokyo, we wanted to share with our readers some ways this day can be celebrated in and around Tokyo! First, get to know the history of IWD in Japan, from its early beginnings here in 1923. Then, read on for Tokyo’s many IWD events where you can celebrate the history and victories of women’s rights in Japan and learn what work still needs to be done to advance gender equality. While you’re at it, why not consider volunteering for a Japan-based organization focusing on women’s empowerment?

The History of International Women’s Day in Japan

© Photo by iStock: Vittorio Gravino

While the first International Women’s Day was held on March 11, 1911 in several European countries, its roots lay in the United States a few years earlier. In 1909, the Socialist Party of America organized the first National Women’s Day in New York City to protest the poor labor conditions facing female garment workers. During World War I, these marches also became key sites for anti-war protests across the globe. March 8th became the official day when Russian women protested against food shortages, the war and the czarist government.

In 1923, the feminist socialist group, Akarankai organized Japan’s first International Women’s Day march to call for women’s liberation. As with other marches around the world, socialism’s critiques against capitalism’s enslavement of women drove the protest’s messages. The protest was violently suppressed by the police and the next International Women’s Day wouldn’t be held in Japan again until 1947. Since then, annual marches have taken place to call for gender equality and world peace. In recent years, marches have focused on ending war, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and closing the gender pay gap.

International Women’s Day Events in Tokyo for 2026

To celebrate International Women’s Day in Tokyo this year, join like-minded people at the exciting events below. Whatever angle of IWD interests you, you are sure to find an event of interest in Tokyo this March!

Happy Woman Festa Tokyo 2026

© Photo by Happy Woman Festa Tokyo 2025

The Happy Woman Festa 2026 is a series of events organized to celebrate IWD across Japan. The theme this year is Towards a future where happiness circulates. Make sure to reserve your seat in advance!

• Date: March 8, 2026
• Times: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.(Happy Woman Festa 2026)
• Address: United Nations University, 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
• Cost: Free!
• Note: The dress code for the Happy Woman Festa 2026 is yellow, the official color for IWD.

College Women’s Association of Japan’s Celebrates International Women’s Day

© Photo by College Women’s Association of Japan

CWAJ marks International Women’s Day with a special staged reading of Mimoza Ways. The performance explores 100 years of Japanese women’s history, from the Seito Movement led by feminist pioneer Hiratsuka Raicho to the present day, blending reflection with moments of humor. A Japanese-French co-production that has received acclaim since its 2022 premiere, Mimoza Ways is the first Japanese production to trace a century of women’s experiences in this way. The reading is directed by Yu Yamagami and features Tsurumatsu Matsukuma, Yuko Ueno, Rena Koto and Yu Yamagami. Following the performance, a talk session with producer and translator Namino Rivoal Hori, along with the director and cast, will offer further insight and discussion. The event will be in Japanese.

• Date: March 6, 2026
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Address: Theater X, Ryogoku City Core 1F, 2-10-14 Ryogoku, Sumida, Tokyo
• Cost: ¥4,000

The Yellow Walk & Mimosa Day Award Party

Dress in yellow and join a vibrant celebration that will turn Tokyo into a moving field of mimosa! On March 7, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ)’s Yellow Walk kicks off at the Italian Embassy, winding through the city in a powerful tribute to International Women’s Day before arriving at the iconic Tokyo Tower. The celebration doesn’t stop there either. Afterward, you can join the exclusive Mimosa Day Award Party, where you’ll enjoy live DJ music, signature cocktails and finger food while soaking in the classic high-rise view of Tokyo.

• Date: March 6, 2026
• Meeting time: 5:45 p.m.
• Walk time: 6-9 p.m.
• Address: Tokyo Tower Main Deck 1F, 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo
• Cost: Free to walk; Yellow Walk + Mimosa Day Award Party (includes a ticket to Tokyo Tower Main Deck, all-you-can-eat buffet and drink); ICCJ Members: ¥6,600; Non-Members: 8,800; Mimosa Day Award Party only: ICCJ Members: ¥8,800; Non-Members: 11,000
• Note: Dress as yellow as possible!

International Women’s Day Breakfast & Panel Discussion Australian Embassy Tokyo

The Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ) invites you to Pullman Tokyo Tamachi for IWD 2026. This year’s theme is “Give to Gain” and will feature a panel discussion with several senior business leaders. Over breakfast, these panelists will highlight single mothers and single-parent households living in Japan.

• Date: March 6, 2026
• Time: 8 a.m.-9 a.m. (doors open at 7:30 a.m.)
• Address: Pullman Tokyo Tamachi ​Banquet Room 9F, 3-1-21 Shibaura Minato, Tokyo
• Cost: ¥10,000 (ANZCCJ members), ¥12,000 (non-ANZCCJ members)
• Note: Attendees must register by Feb. 27, 2026

Women’s March Tokyo 2026

As with other IWD events globally, the Women’s Day March in Tokyo will be one of this year’s main events. This event has been held in the city since 2017. The one-kilometer march will begin and end at Jingu-dori Park in Shibuya Ward and all participants are invited to the after-party. Attendees who don’t want to be photographed can gather together behind a “no photos” sign during the event. Come join others to call for gender equality and an end to violence.

• Date: March 8, 2026
• Meeting time: 5:30 p.m.
• Start time: 6 p.m.
• Address: 6-22-8 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
• Cost: Free!

Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s International Women’s Day Specials

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel will be offering a variety of IWD specials. At the Mimosa Dinner – The French Kitchen, between March 1 and 8, offer the women in your life the stunning Mimosa Mousse Cake, designed by women patissiers. Whether you are sampling their seafood saffron nage or digging into a mimosa rare cheesecake, mark this year’s IWD with upscale dining!

• Date: March 1 – 8, 2026
• Address: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Cost: Prices vary depending on the dish or course.

Mimosa Week

For up-to-date information about the state of women in Japan alongside beautiful illuminations, head to the Former Kunitachi Station. Inside this historic building, you can learn about recent developments in women’s issues on poster boards. Join a workshop on the eighth on how to make mimosa badges to show your support for women’s equality. Also, read up on several gender-related case studies exploring the experiences of women. As a special treat, there will be an illumination event featuring using yellow lights, the official color of IWD.

• Date: March 5- 10, 2026
• Address: Former Kunitachi Station Building, 1-1-69 Higashi, Kunitachi, Tokyo
• Cost: Free!

BCCJ’s International Women’s Day 2026

The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) will be hosting talks over dinner for International Women’s Day. Her Excellency Julia Longbottom CMG, British Ambassador to Japan, will speak on explring leadership and her experiences leading the UK-Japan relationship alongside voices from business and civil society. Offering an opprotunity for open dialog and collaboration, this event is open to all genders.

• Date: March 18, 2026
• Time: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Address: PwC Tokyo, 1-2-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
• Cost: ¥5,000 (BCCJ members); ¥8,000 (non-members)

We hope you enjoy your International Women’s Day in Japan! How are you planning on celebrating?