From September 20 to 26, 2025, the stylish streets of Omotesandō in Tokyo will blossom with compassion, community, and canine (and feline!) charm as the WAN DREAM GARDEN event opens its doors at Annex Aoyama & Connect Garden in Minami-Aoyama.
A Garden Where Dreams Take Flight
Tokyo is no stranger to events that dazzle. From avant-garde art shows to pop culture conventions, the city thrives on spectacle. Yet, amid the bustle and brilliance, some gatherings cut deeper, leaving lasting imprints on hearts rather than just Instagram feeds. WAN DREAM GARDEN is one of those rare events.
At its core, WAN DREAM GARDEN is about more than entertainment. It is a week-long embrace of empathy, designed to spark conversations, build communities, and change lives — both human and animal. Co-hosted by the Riku & Natsu Project and Peace Wanko Japan, this event blooms in the belief that every creature deserves love, dignity, and a future.
The name itself carries layers of meaning. “WAN” echoes a dog’s cheerful bark, but it also resonates with the word “One” — a gentle reminder that each life is singular, precious, and worth cherishing. This duality underscores the mission: to end euthanasia of animals across Japan and instead foster bonds that last a lifetime.
For one week in September, Omotesandō, known for its sleek architecture and fashion-forward culture, will transform into a sanctuary of kindness. Imagine high-end boutiques sharing the stage with wagging tails, rescued paws, and heartfelt stories. This unlikely blend creates a powerful metaphor: compassion is always in style.
What’s Blooming in the Garden?
WAN DREAM GARDEN is not simply an event to observe; it is an experience to live. The organizers have curated an array of activities that engage the senses, challenge the mind, and open the heart.
1. Adoption & Interaction Booths
Picture yourself stepping into Connect Garden on a crisp September afternoon. The sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on a circle of booths alive with excitement. Here, visitors are invited to meet rescue dogs and cats from shelters across the region. Some animals wait shyly in corners, while others bound forward, eager to greet new friends.
These are not anonymous strays but survivors, each with a backstory. Perhaps one was abandoned due to an owner’s illness, another rescued from a difficult environment. Their presence here is a testament to resilience — and to the teams of caretakers who refused to give up on them. Visitors may choose to adopt, beginning a lifelong journey of companionship, or simply spend time offering affection, play, and joy. Even those who cannot adopt leave with hearts a little fuller, reminded of the small gestures that add up to real change.
2. Star-Powered Talk Shows
Events gain momentum not just from activities, but from voices that inspire. WAN DREAM GARDEN will host talk sessions featuring well-loved figures such as Natsuko Godai, Mayumi Ono, peco, Mari Nishio, Dorodango-sensei, and Bambino. Their presence is not a gimmick; it is a bridge.
These public figures share candid reflections on their relationships with rescued animals and the lessons they have learned. For audiences, the talks offer more than entertainment — they normalize compassion in mainstream culture. They also highlight the practical side of animal welfare: what adoption entails, how lifestyle adjustments can be made, and why society benefits when empathy becomes a priority.
Spots for these talks are limited and require pre-registration, which only heightens the sense of intimacy. Imagine listening to a favorite celebrity not from the distance of a stage concert but in a conversational circle, sharing stories that could reshape your perspective on everyday life.
3. Food Trucks with Flavor
Of course, no Tokyo event would be complete without culinary creativity. WAN DREAM GARDEN brings in rotating kitchen trucks, each offering its own spin on comforting favorites and bold new flavors. The scent of sizzling dishes mingles with the laughter of children playing and the soft hum of conversations between strangers who feel suddenly like friends.
Food, after all, is another form of community. Sitting on a bench with a steaming bowl in hand while petting a rescue pup at your feet — it is these small, layered joys that create memories. The organizers have intentionally paired heart with flavor, ensuring that nourishment of body and soul go hand in hand.
Where & When to Visit
Date: Saturday, September 20 to Friday, September 26, 2025
Location: Annex Aoyama & Connect Garden, South Aoyama 3-1-26, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Omotesandō is not only accessible but iconic. Its tree-lined avenues, modernist buildings, and elegant cafes make it one of Tokyo’s most stylish neighborhoods. For WAN DREAM GARDEN, this setting becomes more than a backdrop — it becomes a stage where compassion and culture blend seamlessly.
Access Tips:
- Subway: Omotesandō Station (Exit A4, ~5 min), Gaienmae Station (Exit 1a, ~4 min), Aoyama-itchōme Station (Exit 1, ~13 min)
- JR: A 20-minute walk from Harajuku Station’s East Exit, a stroll that doubles as a chance to enjoy Tokyo’s vibrant streets.
Why WAN DREAM GARDEN Matters
In a city that thrives on novelty, it is easy to dismiss events as fleeting spectacles. Yet WAN DREAM GARDEN carries a weight that lingers. Its significance lies not only in what happens during the week but in what seeds are planted for the future.
- Direct Connections: By bringing rescue animals face-to-face with the public, the event breaks down barriers. Adoption stops being an abstract idea and becomes a tangible, emotional possibility.
- Mainstreaming Compassion: Celebrity involvement ensures that animal welfare is not relegated to niche circles. Instead, it becomes a topic of dinner-table conversations, news headlines, and lifestyle choices.
- Redefining Spaces: Holding the event in Omotesandō — a district known for trendsetting — sends a bold message: compassion is not separate from modern life but integral to it.
This is not just about saving animals. It is about reshaping how society perceives responsibility, kindness, and coexistence.
Planning Your Visit: What to Expect
So, how should one prepare to dive into the experience of WAN DREAM GARDEN?
- Register Early: Talk show sessions fill quickly. Pre-registration ensures your spot at conversations that could deeply inspire.
- Stay Curious: Whether or not you plan to adopt, approach the event with openness. Each booth, each conversation, offers a chance to learn something new.
- Embrace the Atmosphere: Beyond structured activities, the true magic lies in the vibe — the mingling of strangers, the warmth of wagging tails, the hum of shared hope.
- Support Beyond Adoption: Many visitors may not be able to take home a pet. But donations, volunteer inquiries, and simple word-of-mouth support are equally valuable.
A Larger Context: Japan’s Animal Welfare Movement
To fully appreciate WAN DREAM GARDEN, it helps to situate it within Japan’s broader animal welfare landscape. For decades, the country grappled with high rates of animal euthanasia, driven by overcrowded shelters and limited adoption culture. In recent years, however, grassroots organizations, activists, and sympathetic citizens have shifted the tide.
Peace Wanko Japan, one of the event’s co-hosts, has been at the forefront of this transformation. Their work spans rescue operations, adoption drives, and public education campaigns. They have articulated a bold goal: to achieve nationwide zero euthanasia. While ambitious, the momentum they have built makes the dream increasingly realistic.
Events like WAN DREAM GARDEN are not isolated initiatives but part of this larger tapestry. They amplify the cause by weaving it into everyday life, making compassion less of an exception and more of a norm.
Stories That Stay
The true measure of WAN DREAM GARDEN will not be in attendance numbers but in the stories that ripple outward. Perhaps it will be the tale of a shy kitten who finally finds a forever home. Or of a visitor who, after a chance conversation, decides to volunteer at a local shelter. Or of a family who bonds over shared laughter at a food truck while learning that kindness is not a lecture but a lifestyle.
Each story adds a thread to the larger narrative of change. And collectively, these threads form a tapestry of hope.
Final Thoughts: A Call to the Heart
WAN DREAM GARDEN is more than an event — it is a movement disguised as a festival. It takes the language of lifestyle, celebrity, and culture and redirects it toward empathy. It proves that compassion does not need to stand apart from style, flavor, or fun; it can stand proudly at their center.
For one week in September, Omotesandō will remind Tokyo — and anyone willing to listen — that kindness is timeless, adoption is transformative, and community is built not just by proximity but by purpose.
So, if you find yourself in Tokyo between September 20 and 26, wander into Annex Aoyama & Connect Garden. Meet the animals. Hear the stories. Taste the flavors. Most importantly, carry the spirit of WAN DREAM GARDEN with you long after the booths close and the food trucks roll away.
Because compassion, like a garden, flourishes when tended. And in Omotesandō this September, a new season of kindness is set to bloom.