Tokyo: A celebration of culture, food, and friendship kicked off Friday at Ueno Park as the Philippine Expo 2025 opened its gates to the public. Now in its eighth year, the annual event has grown into the largest Filipino cultural festival in Japan, drawing tens of thousands of guests eager to experience the country's vibrant traditions, cuisine, and music. The three-day celebration runs until Sunday, with free admission for all. This year, the event is expected to draw between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors.

According to Philippines News Agency, the event is organized by Philippine Expo, a general incorporated association with support from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ASEAN-Japan Centre, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and other partners. The celebration features the deepening cultural ties between the two nations. Visitors could explore an array of stalls offering popular Filipino dishes such as "adobo," a savory meat stew, and "taho," a dessert made from silken tofu.

In addition to gastronomic offerings, there are stalls that feature various Philippine products, including handmade accessories crafted from hemp and seashells, reflecting the Southeast Asian country's artisanal heritage. Entertainment will take center stage on a specially constructed platform, where Japanese pop idol groups, Philippine artists, and other performers will put on a variety of live shows throughout the weekend.

According to Japan's Immigration Services Agency, over 340,000 Filipinos were residing in Japan as of the end of 2024, making them the fourth-largest foreign community after Chinese, Vietnamese, and South Koreans. 'We hope this event will give people opportunities to discover the fun, warmth, and richness of Filipino culture,' Nobuyuki Suzuki, chair of the Philippine Expo 2025 organizing committee, said.