Hiroshima’s First Ever Pride Parade Will be Held on Oct. 11

【Event Details】

● Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Parade: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

● Location: Alice Garden, Hondori, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture

【Press Conference Information】

● Date & Time: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

● Location: Municipal Press Room, North Side, 11th Floor, Hiroshima City Hall Main Building

What are the Origins of Hiroshima's First Pride Parade?

Through the help of Nina-Arica—as well as other organizations and individuals such as Fe, HAP, Kurokawa Shoto, and Cocoiro—Hiroshima’s first ever pride parade will be coming to fruition on October 11, 2025, with the parade taking place at 2pm. 

Between grids of earth-toned and grey-scaled highrises stands a single eggshell white and dove-grey tiled building. On the columns just before the front entrance hang two bolted signs: HAP and ここいろ cocoiro Hiroshima. 

Inside, colorful art of different mediums drawn by adults and children are fixed against the backdrop of smooth blank white canvas walls. Full of expression, freedom, and emotion, HAP is an art space that allows for children, adults, and those from at-risk communities to find sanctum and safety. It’s here, and other HAP locations scattered across Hiroshima, that Nina-Arica gathers.

Launched in the spring of 2023, Nina-Arica is a grassroots initiative catered towards the LGBTQ community and those who are confused about their sexuality or questioning their identity. Through Nina-Arica’s bi-monthly gatherings, informational events, and lectures, people from Hiroshima to as far as Akita have found meaningful connections and a gentle space, without the pressure to hide or conform. 

Co-founder of Nina-Arica, Yusuke, realized his sexuality in junior high but felt isolated without a community or people to confide in. In his 20s, Yusuke opened up to a friend, but gaining his parents’ acceptance was also a challenge that took several years. However, once he reached his 40s, he realized "everyone's sexuality is different" which encouraged him to express his own sexuality. A deep desire to connect with other sexual minorities slowly manifested and he eventually established and is active in the Hiroshima Humanities Circle (Cultural Gay Circle). Now, with Nina-Arica, he and his fellow co-representative, Yukihiro Kitani, have created a space to allow people to freely discover and express themselves. 

Before his work at Nina-Arica, Kitani ran an LGBTQ bar in Nagoya until selling it in 2019 and enrolling at Hiroshima Shudo University Graduate School where he published his masters thesis on social dynamics of gay encounters. Following graduation, Kitani remained active in the LGBTQ academic world, lecturing on topics such as "sexual diversity" and "partnership systems" while working at Hiroshima Prefectural Gender Equality Foundation. Kitani continues to guest lecture and spread factual research about LGBTQ topics while helping sexual minorities explore themselves and find a place of belonging through Nina-Arica.

Nina-Arica is a support group for all sexual minorities, including those who may be LGBTQ+, with activities centered around "creating a place to belong" and "educational activities." 

Yusuke and Kitani are participating as executive committee members with Yusuke as the leader of the parade department and Kitani as the secretary general.

Everyone is welcome to join, and if you’re interested in crowdfunding, volunteer recruitment, and parade participation, applications can be found here.

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