Nurse Fest 2025: The Biggest Nursing Event in Japan Attracts 6,000 Attendees

Nurse Fest 2025: Celebrating the Pride of Nursing

In May 2025, the second iteration of "Nurse Fest," one of Japan's largest events for nurses, was held. Organized by SMS Co., Ltd., this year’s conference took place at the Shibuya Hikarie on May 17 and 18, coinciding with Nurse Week. Attracting an impressive crowd of 6,149 participants, the event reinforced the pride associated with the nursing profession, with a staggering 93.4% of attendees indicating their intention to return for future events.

About Nurse Fest 2025

The guiding theme for Nurse Fest 2025 was "Being a Nurse Makes Me Proud." This event was designed with input from over 150 directors of nursing across major hospitals and more than 1,000 current nurses. It featured hands-on booths spanning diverse categories such as gourmet food, beauty, healthcare, and career advancement. By providing interactive experiences, the fest aimed to bolster the skills and satisfaction of nurses while allowing them to celebrate both their professional and personal lives.

Attendance Insights

During the two days, the event saw participation from a diverse range of age groups, including nurses and nursing students along with their companions. An informal survey conducted among 1,794 participants revealed:

- Attendees spanned ages from 20s to 50s.
- An incredible 93.4% expressed a desire to attend again in the future, showing a strong appeal for the event.

Event Highlights

Interactive Experience Areas

The event featured multiple engaging activities for nurses. One standout was the "Nurse's Reward DARTS," where attendees could collect stamps and win prizes linked to their profession, such as the "Work Hard Award" and "Take Care Award." Another popular attraction, "Nurse Either/Or 100?" allowed participants to share their thoughts on relatable questions about their profession, drawing significant social media interaction from attendees.

A noteworthy moment was the board titled "Words from Patients," which displayed heartfelt thank-you messages from those who had benefited from nursing care. Many attendees paused to read these messages, highlighting the community's appreciation for nursing efforts.

Stage and Seminar Area

The lineup of keynote speakers included successful nurse entrepreneurs and specialists leading workshops on career development and medical innovations. Each session was designed to help nurses reflect upon and enhance their professional abilities, making these experiences highly sought after, with tickets for planned seminars quickly selling out.

On May 18, well-known personality Hikorohee, who appeared in Nurse Senka’s TV commercials, attended as a guest speaker. She shared her experiences of portraying a nurse and engaged the audience with a fun nursing trivia session, fostering a supportive environment.

Corporate Exhibition Area

The expansive corporate exhibit featured over 60 companies dedicated to supporting nurses. These sponsors represented various sectors including gourmet food, beauty, health care, finance, and lifestyle, with booths that provided sampling opportunities and interactions. The area buzzed with energy, with some booths running out of samples as the day progressed.

Event Significance

Nurse Fest 2025 was both timely and crucial as nursing staff retention remains a pressing issue. In association with the Japanese Nursing Association, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare declared May 12 as "Nursing Day," supporting a week dedicated to nursing awareness. This initiative seeks not only to encourage interest in nursing careers but also to contribute toward building a vibrant, aging society.

In light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, SMS Co., Ltd. became committed to re-energizing the nursing community. By hosting this event, they aimed to rejuvenate the spirits of dedicated healthcare professionals, inspiring both their work and personal lives. This marked a significant initiative to foster an appreciation for nursing, building upon past successes, where earlier events in 2018 also attracted substantial numbers of nursing professionals.

Event Information

- Date: May 17 (Saturday) and May 18 (Sunday), 2025
- Location: Shibuya Hikarie 8th and 9th Floors
- Admission Fee: Free
- Target Audience: Nurses, nursing students, and their companions, with attendance open to those outside the nursing profession
- Total Attendance: 6,149
- Content Description: A collaborative event for nurses, highlighting voices from seasoned professionals and tailored to celebrate their dedication and hard work.