Thai cultural festival in Tokyo highlights entertainment boom

Among the highlights of the Thai Festival Tokyo 2026 were performances by popular Thai artists and actors featuring Thai pop music, or T-pop.

The area around the stage was packed with a huge crowd, leading to temporary entry restrictions due to congestion.

Thai artists and actors introduced themselves and greeted the audience in Japanese.

As they performed songs, some with Japanese lyrics, lively call-and-response interactions with the audience energized the venue.

"I came to see a performance by Tay-New," said a woman in her 50s from Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, referring to the popular actor pairing Tay Tawan Vihokratana and New Thitipoom Techaapaikhun.

The woman also attended a related event held the previous day.

She added that close connections with artists are one of the main attractions of Thai entertainment.

Vorapong Vadhanasindhu, a counsellor at the Thai Embassy in Tokyo, explained that Japanese people are becoming increasingly interested in Thai culture, not only its food but also local products, services and the latest entertainment, such as T-pop and Thai dramas.

Ahead of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Thailand diplomatic relations next year, the counsellor said that the festival showcases the close relationship between Tokyo and Bangkok, expressing hope for further growth in bilateral ties.

Some Japanese visitors said entertainment performances sparked their interest in Thai culture.

A female company worker in her 40s, also from Osaka Prefecture, said she plans to travel to Thailand soon but is worried about widespread flight reductions and cancellations, as well as fare hikes, due to soaring jet fuel prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, a male teacher in his 20s from Ibaraki Prefecture, east of Tokyo, said he came to the festival because "it's much closer than Thailand." He developed an interest in Thai artists after watching Thai boys' love dramas.

Although the number of Japanese tourists to Thailand has been recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent global circumstances have altered travel conditions. This, however, seems to enhance the appeal of the festival, which offers Thai cultural experiences even in Japan.

The annual festival, which marked its 26th edition this year, was jointly hosted by the Thai Embassy and Japanese companies.

Following the Tokyo event, similar Thai-related festivals are scheduled to be held in major Japanese cities, including Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya, later this month.