A Message of "Equality" Spreading Along the Okawa River for the Realization of Same-Sex Marriage: "Pride Cruise Osaka 2026" to be Held on May 23 — 5th Anniversary Theme is "Equality Now!" —
Certified NPO Nijiiro Diversity will host "Pride Cruise Osaka 2026" on May 23, 2026. Advocating for same-sex marriage with the theme "Equality Now!", the event will feature a water pride parade with six boats and various talk sessions.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 12:31
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Certified NPO Nijiiro Diversity (Osaka City) will hold "Pride Cruise Osaka 2026" at "Kawa-no-eki Hachikenya" in Tenmabashi, Osaka on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
A "Water Pride Parade" will be held where boats displaying diverse pride flags cruise along the rivers of Osaka. Furthermore, marking its memorable 5th anniversary this year, the event will welcome luxurious guests and be held under the theme "Equality Now!".
Why "Equality Now!"?
The lawsuit regarding same-sex marriage ("Freedom of Marriage for All" lawsuit) that has been ongoing since 2019 has passed through the District and High Courts, and it is expected that the Supreme Court will finally issue a ruling as early as 2026.
Looking toward the realization of legal equality—which can be said to be the fruition of the efforts of many—we have set this year's theme as "Equality Now!" with the belief that LGBTQ human rights can no longer be postponed and are a collective issue involving the happiness of many people.
An "Open Pride Event" Anyone Can Join
Under the concept of "FUN, LEARN, TOGETHER (making Osaka a more inclusive city for everyone through a festival of fun and learning)," this is a participatory event open not only to sexual minorities and LGBTQ individuals but to everyone.
Boarding the boats requires advance registration, but anyone can view and cheer from the venue or along the river, allowing everyone to share a space that celebrates diversity.
Highlight 1: Water Pride Parade
A unique water parade will take place where boats displaying various pride flags cruise between Tenmabashi and Yodoyabashi. This year, a record-breaking 6 boats are scheduled to participate, and anyone can watch and cheer from along the river.
[Water Pride Parade Route]
15:20 6 boats gather near the night light in front of Kawa-no-eki Hachikenya -> 15:30 Near the view of Osaka Castle (turnaround) -> 15:45 Near Sendannoki Bridge (turnaround) -> 15:55 Pass the night light in front of Kawa-no-eki Hachikenya -> 16:00 Return to Hachikenya-hama
[Theme of Each Boat]
Boat 1: LGBTQ Rights
Boat 2: YES to Same-Sex Marriage!
Boat 3: Youth Pride
Boat 4: Trans Pride
Boat 5: Pride Center Osaka
Boat 6: Pride Cruise Osaka
* Only those who have registered in advance can board.
* No advance registration is required for participation other than boarding.
* The event from the cruise boats will be live-streamed at the venue.
Highlight 2: Talk Sessions Connecting Entertainment & Society
On the day of the event, talk sessions exploring what society should look like from diverse perspectives—such as film, music, and media—will be held under the theme of "equality".
Considering the Shape of 'Equality' through Entertainment (13:00 - 14:30)
- Groove for Equality: Diversity Connected by Sound (13:15 - 13:45)
Guest:
Yuka Kadokami (Producer, Event Business Center, Content Strategy Bureau, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation)
Joined the company in 2013. Worked as a director in the production department, handling variety and music shows. Since 2020, she has launched music events like "Grooving Night" and "KOBE MELLOW CRUISE" and works as a co-producing producer for events like "RUSH BALL" and "OTODAMA".
"Grooving Night" is a music event that "connects music, society, and people," and includes initiatives such as hosting booths for Pride Center Osaka and providing audiovisual support for the visually impaired.
- Considering Equality from the Creative Scene of Queer Cinema (14:00 - 14:30)
Guest:
Tsuyoshi Shoji (Film Director / Visual Director)
A bisexual individual who has explored the relationship between LGBTQ and society through visual works. For his short film "The Fish with One Sleeve" (2021), he held Japan's first open audition for transgender actors, which became a significant topic.
Guest:
Miyu Nakagawa (Actor)
A transgender individual. At age 21, while in university, she underwent gender-affirming surgery and officially changed her gender on the family register. The documentary film "Becoming a Woman" (2017), which followed her journey up to the surgery, was released nationwide. She then took on acting and was selected for the lead role in the film "Blue Boy Incident" (2025). She is also set to star in the upcoming film "My Neighbor is a Trans Girl" (2026), expanding her field of activity.
DaiShun Talk Show (16:20 - 16:50)
Guests:
DaiShun
Dai Nakai (Actor)
Shun Nakanishi (Singer-Songwriter)
A couple influencer duo formed by Dai Nakai (Dai) and Shun Nakanishi (Shun). They have over 700,000 YouTube subscribers. They gained immense popularity as a couple successfully formed on the Netflix reality dating show "The Boyfriend". Dai also works as an actor, and Shun as a singer-songwriter.
A "Water Pride Parade" will be held where boats displaying diverse pride flags cruise along the rivers of Osaka. Furthermore, marking its memorable 5th anniversary this year, the event will welcome luxurious guests and be held under the theme "Equality Now!".
Why "Equality Now!"?
The lawsuit regarding same-sex marriage ("Freedom of Marriage for All" lawsuit) that has been ongoing since 2019 has passed through the District and High Courts, and it is expected that the Supreme Court will finally issue a ruling as early as 2026.
Looking toward the realization of legal equality—which can be said to be the fruition of the efforts of many—we have set this year's theme as "Equality Now!" with the belief that LGBTQ human rights can no longer be postponed and are a collective issue involving the happiness of many people.
An "Open Pride Event" Anyone Can Join
Under the concept of "FUN, LEARN, TOGETHER (making Osaka a more inclusive city for everyone through a festival of fun and learning)," this is a participatory event open not only to sexual minorities and LGBTQ individuals but to everyone.
Boarding the boats requires advance registration, but anyone can view and cheer from the venue or along the river, allowing everyone to share a space that celebrates diversity.
Highlight 1: Water Pride Parade
A unique water parade will take place where boats displaying various pride flags cruise between Tenmabashi and Yodoyabashi. This year, a record-breaking 6 boats are scheduled to participate, and anyone can watch and cheer from along the river.
[Water Pride Parade Route]
15:20 6 boats gather near the night light in front of Kawa-no-eki Hachikenya -> 15:30 Near the view of Osaka Castle (turnaround) -> 15:45 Near Sendannoki Bridge (turnaround) -> 15:55 Pass the night light in front of Kawa-no-eki Hachikenya -> 16:00 Return to Hachikenya-hama
[Theme of Each Boat]
Boat 1: LGBTQ Rights
Boat 2: YES to Same-Sex Marriage!
Boat 3: Youth Pride
Boat 4: Trans Pride
Boat 5: Pride Center Osaka
Boat 6: Pride Cruise Osaka
* Only those who have registered in advance can board.
* No advance registration is required for participation other than boarding.
* The event from the cruise boats will be live-streamed at the venue.
Highlight 2: Talk Sessions Connecting Entertainment & Society
On the day of the event, talk sessions exploring what society should look like from diverse perspectives—such as film, music, and media—will be held under the theme of "equality".
Considering the Shape of 'Equality' through Entertainment (13:00 - 14:30)
- Groove for Equality: Diversity Connected by Sound (13:15 - 13:45)
Guest:
Yuka Kadokami (Producer, Event Business Center, Content Strategy Bureau, Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation)
Joined the company in 2013. Worked as a director in the production department, handling variety and music shows. Since 2020, she has launched music events like "Grooving Night" and "KOBE MELLOW CRUISE" and works as a co-producing producer for events like "RUSH BALL" and "OTODAMA".
"Grooving Night" is a music event that "connects music, society, and people," and includes initiatives such as hosting booths for Pride Center Osaka and providing audiovisual support for the visually impaired.
- Considering Equality from the Creative Scene of Queer Cinema (14:00 - 14:30)
Guest:
Tsuyoshi Shoji (Film Director / Visual Director)
A bisexual individual who has explored the relationship between LGBTQ and society through visual works. For his short film "The Fish with One Sleeve" (2021), he held Japan's first open audition for transgender actors, which became a significant topic.
Guest:
Miyu Nakagawa (Actor)
A transgender individual. At age 21, while in university, she underwent gender-affirming surgery and officially changed her gender on the family register. The documentary film "Becoming a Woman" (2017), which followed her journey up to the surgery, was released nationwide. She then took on acting and was selected for the lead role in the film "Blue Boy Incident" (2025). She is also set to star in the upcoming film "My Neighbor is a Trans Girl" (2026), expanding her field of activity.
DaiShun Talk Show (16:20 - 16:50)
Guests:
DaiShun
Dai Nakai (Actor)
Shun Nakanishi (Singer-Songwriter)
A couple influencer duo formed by Dai Nakai (Dai) and Shun Nakanishi (Shun). They have over 700,000 YouTube subscribers. They gained immense popularity as a couple successfully formed on the Netflix reality dating show "The Boyfriend". Dai also works as an actor, and Shun as a singer-songwriter.