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2026-08-02 08:23 UTC → 2026-08-07 03:54 UTC ·
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Japan’s 2026 live‑music calendar continued to broaden, mixing high‑tech productions June saw the launch of two new festivals. Nagoya will host the circuit‑style "音MABUSHI" on 21 September, featuring anime‑song, idol and VTuber acts, while Tokyo’s Odaiba will stage the third edition of BMSG FES ’26 from 10‑12 October with regional festivals a line‑up that includes SKY‑HI and BE:FIRST. The Future Frequencies Festival opened on 11‑12 July in Tokyo’s High‑End Gate City, co‑produced by media artist Daito Manabe and Beatink, showcasing AI‑assisted audio‑visual performances by Joy Orbison, Nosaj Thing and others. Sabae JAM Festival announced a 21‑act program for 11‑12 October in Fukui, and idol showcases. After group anew will run the three‑day CHIKAKARA ZAO festival in Yamagata’s Zao Onsen from 18‑20 July, emphasizing genre‑less programming. Fujii Fumiy’s FUTATABI Fumiy concluded his nationwide "FUTATABI" tour in July and his 360° revealed 360‑degree arena shows for October 10 at Osaka‑jo Hall and Budokan, the season featured outdoor events such as Oborock in Fukui, AI‑driven sets 17‑18 at Future Frequencies, municipal festivals Nippon Budokan. Oborock 2026 released a 28‑act lineup for 12‑13 September in Yatomi, Tomakomai, Tsuruga, while summer festival announcements added ITAMI GREENJAM, GREENJAM (12‑13 Sept), the inaugural TOMIHAMA FES (14‑15 Nov in Aichi), TOMAKOMAI MIRAI FEST (12‑13 Sept in Hokkaido) and Otaru’s free a‑cappella “樽Fes2026”, and Tochigi’s Natsukoi summer mix of school bands, guest acts, bon‑odori and fireworks. Traditional bon‑odori festivals dotted July‑August, from Kyoto’s Yuusen‑ji “Daimoku‑odori” and “Sashi‑odori” to Kawasaki’s three neighbourhood dances, Kobe’s 24th Fureai Summer Festival, Fukuchiyama’s 400‑year revival, Sendai’s Tanabata Night Festival, Setagaya’s lion‑dance program, and Kyoto’s Sakyō‑ku community bon‑odori. The "樽Fes2026" on 2 August. Hakodate International Folk Art Festival will run 5‑11 August, and GlobalCamp Vol. 14 will take place 24‑25 October near Mt Fuji added workshops, food markets and night‑time Fuji, both highlighting multicultural activities. September‑October saw the Kagayaki Fest The Nico Nico Super Conference 2026 in Kanazawa Chiba attracted over 138 000 participants with 65 idol groups, Morioka’s Ishigaki Music Festival expanding to nine venues, extensive cosplay programming, and a multi‑day program the 2024 Fuji Rock Festival recorded 96 000 attendees. Later in September, Love Sound Festival will promote well‑being at Nagoya’s Niterra Japan Special Ceramics Hall headlined by IKKO Hino Brick Hall, and FTISLAND. New announcements detailed Fuyumi Sakamoto’s 40th‑anniversary the Takarazuka Hills Orchestra will give a free concert on 5 September at Kanazawa Kageki‑za (¥7,700 seats) and a full‑season lineup at Niterra Hall from early September to late October (¥6,500‑¥17,500, organised by Ukai Kogyo and local promoters). The Tokyo Idol Festival 2026, held 31 May‑2 June at Odaiba’s SMILE GARDEN, showcased top idol acts, opened by Momoiro Clover Z’s Ayaka Sasaki, and featured CYBERJAPAN DANCERS, 17 October, underscoring the ongoing diversification continued breadth of Japan’s 2026 live‑music scene. calendar.