News
Join Us on Oct 3: OMATSURI - Takadanobaba International Exchange Festival!
While divisive commentary has grown online in recent years, peaceful coexistence remains a vibrant part of our everyday lives. To replace division and anxiety with trust, nothing beats genuine face-to-face connection within our local communities. Peace Boat’s home in Tokyo is in Shinjuku Ward, home to roughly 51,000 foreign residents, and our local area Takadanobaba in particular is a bustling neighborhood welcoming international students and residents from all over the world.
To foster a neighborhood where everyone feels welcome, connected, and safe, we are excited to announce the "OMATSURI - Takadanobaba International Exchange Festival!
Event Details: OMATSURI - Takadanobaba International Exchange Festival
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Cancelled in case of heavy rain)
- Location: Toyama Park - Yakudo no Hiroba Plaza
(3-1-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, click for Google Map)
We are preparing an exciting lineup of activities and multicultural experiences for all ages! At the food booth area, enjoy authentic international and Takadanobaba local dishes including Vietnamese banh mi (Banh Mi Xin Chao), Myanmar cuisine (Ruby), freshly baked scones and muffins (Travel the Earth Cafe), local favourite grilled pork skewers (Yakiton Zabuton), a food truck popular with Waseda University students (Waseda Monster's Kitchen), and delicious offerings from "Night Bakery," an initiative dedicated to reducing food waste.
In the interactive experience zone, drop by the "English Chat Cafe" hosted by Mickey House, have your name written in different world languages, explore a traditional Mongolian dwelling (Ger), or try your hand at the traditional Japanese toy, kendama. The festival will also feature a lively flea market, a one-box book fair, and informative booths hosted by local NPOs and NGOs. Plus, enjoy a live bubble show, cultural dance performances, and energetic drum sessions on stage and throughout the venue - a sensory celebration of global community!
Launching the "Machizukuri Peace Boat" Association
To build an inclusive society where everyone feels welcome, Peace Boat is extending its mission beyond global voyages into the local community through the newly established "Machizukuri Peace Boat" General Incorporated Association. With this festival as our launching pad, we plan to take on new initiatives in local community building (“machizukuri” in Japanese), centered right here in our hometown of Takadanobaba - building a form of “land-based version” of the Peace Boat community.
Support Our Crowdfunding Campaign
For decades, Peace Boat has traveled the globe advocating the core principle of "going directly to the field, seeing with your own eyes, and meeting people face-to-face." As we laid the groundwork for this new organization, we reconnected with local Takadanobaba business associations, neighborhood groups, and community organizers championing multicultural coexistence. These encounters reminded us of the warm connections and fresh perspectives that only happen when people come together in person. We are thrilled to bring this foundational spirit to our work locally in Takadanobaba.
Click here to view the crowdfunding campaign (in Japanese language).
We warmly invite your participation and support as we embark on this exciting new chapter!
