ARTerrace’s Initiatives introduced at Japan Parade
May 20, 2025
News
On May 10, 2025, the fourth annual Japan Parade & Street Fair took place in New York City.
Drawing more than 60,000 attendees and solidifying its status as a hallmark of early summer in Manhattan. For the first time, the event featured a pre-parade gala, “Japan Night,” offering guests an immersive evening of music, culture, and hospitality.
At this inaugural Japan Night, held the evening prior to the parade, two flagship presentations stood out: an introduction to the luxury cruise ship Asuka III and a showcase of initiatives by ARTerrace Inc., a company dedicated to the preservation and global promotion of Japanese traditional crafts.
About the Japan Parade & Street Fair；
One of the largest Japanese cultural celebrations in the United States, the Japan Parade & Street Fair has become a prominent platform for cross-cultural exchange. This year’s Japan Night combined a diverse concert program featuring acclaimed Japanese artists, a presentation on Japanese tourism, and tasting events offering sake and wine from Japan.
Special guests included the cast of Attack on Titan: The Musical, singer-songwriter Sayaka Yamamoto (formerly of NMB48), and the MIYABI Koto-Shamisen Ensemble led by Masayo Ishigure.
The event opened with a keynote presentation by renowned broadcast writer Kundo Koyama, who introduced the Japanese concept of DOU—the philosophical undercurrent of traditional disciplines such as tea ceremony (Sadou) and flower arrangement (Kadou). He also presented his original concept of Yudou, the Japanese bathing culture, emphasizing how innovation and tradition coexist harmoniously in Japanese aesthetics.
Following this, NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. presidents Hiroyuki Endo and Tetsurō Shinoda gave a presentation on Asuka III, a new luxury cruise ship named after Japan’s Asuka period, a time that heralded the emergence of the nation’s cultural identity more than 1,000 years ago.
Mr. Shinoda shared the ship’s vision: “This July, Asuka III will set sail—offering guests the restorative serenity of Yudou (bathing), the pleasures of ocean travel aboard Asuka, and the enriching beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship through ARTerrace.Our goal is to bring the spirit of Japan to the world, inviting people from across the globe to experience its timeless values. ARTerrace is currently developing a project that will undoubtedly capture the attention of collectors worldwide.”
Onboard Asuka III, visitors will encounter museum-quality crafts created by master artisans, including Living National Treasures. Each work is authenticated and one-of-a-kind, and many are available for purchase through the ARTerrace digital platform.
More than 400 New Yorkers engaged in the cultural and creative industries gathered for this elegant indoor gala—offering an experience distinctly different from the dynamic energy of the outdoor parade. The audience responded with great enthusiasm, expressing deep interest in the beauty, history, and craftsmanship of Japanese traditional arts.
ARTerrace, whose mission is to carry the legacy of Japanese crafts across generations and beyond borders, played a pivotal role in this international cultural moment. The company continues to pursue its mission of amplifying the global appeal and sustainability of Japan’s traditional crafts.
ABOUT Japan Parade & Street Fair…
Japan Parade https://www.japanparadenyc.org/
Japan Night https://www.japanparadenyc.org/japan-night-2025
