Written by Patrick Balfe
You’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for international concerts in Japan this year.
With household names like Linkin Park and Cyndi Lauper and lesser-known artists like Fontaines D.C. and Hinds, there’s something for everyone right into winter time. On top of that, there are a bunch of awesome music festivals to head to. Check out some of our top picks below.
February
A few highlights include:
Maroon 5
February 6 – 9¥9,800 – ¥128,000
Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
After three sold-out performances in December 2022, Maroon 5 is returning to do it again in February. This time, celebrating the 10th anniversary of their album V, we’re anticipating a repeat of their last trip when the whole tour sold out in hours.
Tickets
Only limited VIP SS seats are now available.
DJ Shadow
February 7 and 10¥9,800
Spotify O-East (Tokyo) and Umeda Club Quattro (Osaka)
American DJ and producer DJ Shadow will be doing the rounds in Japan in support of his latest album this February. The new release, “Action Adventure,” comes 35 years into the artist’s career via hip-hop legend Nas’ record label Mass Appeal in 2024. The upcoming tour will be DJ Shadow’s first large-scale tour in over seven years, and you can expect to hear tracks off the latest album as well as fan favorites like “Six Days” and “Organ Donor.”
Tickets
Tickets for both the Tokyo and Osaka shows are ¥9,800 plus one drink and are available through the usual outlets of Ticket Pia, ePlus, Lawson Ticket, and Rakuten. Head to Live Nation Japan for more information.
The Fall of Troy
February 7¥8,600
Shibuya Cyclone (Tokyo)
Early 2000s emo and math-rock kids will feel old to know that The Fall of Troy’s seminal album “Doppelganger” is 20 years old this year. The Washington-based trio will be heading to Shibuya venue Cyclone for a one-off show in the country in celebration of the 20th anniversary with support from local artists Cyclamen. Stretch out your mosh muscles and prepare your vocal cords for favorites like “F.C.P.R.E.M.I.X.” and “Laces Out, Dan!”
Tickets
Independent promoters Realising Media are taking ticket registration and payment through this Google Form. Tickets are ¥8,600, including one drink.
Linkin Park
February 11 and 12¥8,800 – ¥88,000
Saitama Super Arena (Saitama)
Whether you’re feeling “Numb” or “Faint” about Emily Armstrong taking the mic for Linkin Park, “In the End,” they’re hitting Japan this February. Playing Saitama Super Arena for two nights on February 11 and 12, the band will be making their Japan debut with the new vocalist in support of their eighth studio album, “From Zero.” Tickets for the Tuesday night show are already sold out, and tickets for the second night are selling fast.
Tickets
Tickets for these shows range from standard to VIP seated and standing allocations. At the time of writing, general seated and standing and some VIP seated and standing tickets were still available for the Wednesday night show. Head to the HIP Japan special tour page to be directed to the relevant ticket outlets.
Sigur Rós
February 15 – 19¥18,000 – ¥21,000
Tokyo Garden Theater (Tokyo) and Kobe International House (Kobe)
For the first time, Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós will be bringing their orchestral show to Japan this February. Performing with a local orchestra for all dates, the band will play two shows in Tokyo at Tokyo Garden Theater and one show at Kobe International House. The band announced via their website that they’d be performing tracks from their latest album, “ÁTTA,” as well as selected tracks from their extensive catalog.
Tickets
At the time of writing, tickets for the first show in Tokyo on February 11 were sold out, but tickets for the 12th in Tokyo and 19th in Kobe were still available. Tickets for both of the remaining shows are ¥18,000 for back row A seats and ¥21,000 for S seats closer to the stage. Head to the Creativeman website to be directed to the relevant ticket outlets.
Hoobastank
February 19 and 20¥9,000
Toyosu Pit (Tokyo) and Gorilla Hall (Osaka)
In what’s proving to be an incredibly big month for 2000s alt-rock fans, Tokyo and Osaka will see performances from California’s Hoobastank in February. Billed as a best-of set, the tour comes a couple of years after the 20th-anniversary release of their sophomore album “The Reason,” so fans can expect to hear the anthemic title track as well as other favorites like “Same Direction” and “Out of Control.”
Tickets
General release tickets for both shows are now available for ¥9,000 via the Creativeman website. Both shows are standing venues.
Glass Animals
February 1¥8,000 – ¥23,800
KT Zepp Yokohama (Yokohama)
Glass Animals continue their run of success with their latest tour, “Human Musical Group Sensations GLASS ANIMALS: TOUR OF EARTH.” The band rose to prominence during the pandemic with their record-breaking single “Heat Waves,” and the latest album, “I Love You So F***ing Much,” their fourth, is already garnering significant attention. The tour has attracted huge crowds across North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia, and their show in Yokohama is set to be their biggest in Japan so far.
Tickets
Three ticket categories are available for this show — seating, standing, and a VIP package that includes a standing ticket, merch, and priority entry. All tickets are available through the special tour page of the Live Nation website.
FONTAINES D.C.
February 21 and 23¥8,800
Toyosu Pit (Tokyo), Gorilla Hall (Osaka)
Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. are bringing their groundbreaking new album “Romance” to Tokyo and Osaka for two shows in February. The new album, which includes the singles “Starburster” and “Favourite” has been met with critical acclaim from outlets such as NME, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone UK and marks a period of evolution for the young artists. The Japan performances will take place at Osaka’s Gorilla Hall on Friday, February 21, and Tokyo’s Toyosu Pit on Sunday, February 23.
Tickets
Advance tickets for both shows are on sale for ¥8,800. Both venues are standing. Head to the usual outlets such as ePlus, Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, or the Smash Japan website for more information.
Green Day (Tickets sold out)
February 21 – 26¥12,000 or ¥30,000
Osaka-Jo Hall (Osaka), Port Messe (Nagoya), K-Arena (Yokohama)
One year after the release of their 14th album, US pop-punk titans Green Day will be heading on a tour of Japan. The new album Saviors has been met with universal acclaim, and their global Hella Mega Tour has been selling out stadiums worldwide. Their Japan tour will include performances at Osaka-Jo Hall, Port Messe Nagoya, and two shows at K-Arena Yokohama.
Tickets
Tickets for all shows are now sold out.
Floating Points
February 25 and 27¥8,800
EX Theater Roppongi (Tokyo) and Gorilla Hall (Osaka)
Sam Shepherd AKA Floating Points, is making his triumphant return to Japan towards the end of February. One of the most talked-about sets of Fuji Rock 2024, the Red Marquee performance treated the audience to an unbridled release of color and sound, setting a high bar for the upcoming tour. Through his recent appearances and collaborations with artists like Hikaru Utada, Shepherd has a well-established love for Japan, and the two shows will see lighting and live art from Yamachang and Akiko Nakayama as well as new tracks from Shepherd’s latest release, “Cascades.”
Tickets
At the time of writing, tickets to the Tokyo performance were already sold out. Tickets for the Osaka show at Gorilla Hall were still on sale for ¥8,800 via Smash and Beat Ink.
New Order
February 25 and 27¥12,000 – ¥20,000
Zepp Namba (Osaka) and Ariake Arena (Tokyo)
After numerous cancellations due to the Pandemic, Manchester synth-pop legends New Order will finally return to Japan for the first time in 8 years. Earning a legion of Japanese fans since their first visit in 1985 with the release of their smash single “Blue Monday,” the band has kept fans satiated with regular tours and festival appearances. Now returning as a five-piece, the band will perform with special guests Denki Groove in Tokyo and guest DJ Mark Reider at both shows.
Tickets
Tickets for the Osaka performance on February 25 are divided into first-floor standing (front and rear areas) and second-floor seated. All tickets for the Tokyo performance are seated tickets. More information is available via the official website.
Kehlani
February 26 and 28¥10,500 – ¥12,500
Pacifico (Yokohama) and Namba Hatch (Osaka)
Pioneering contemporary R&B artist Kehlani will bring their Crash World Tour to Japan at the end of February. The Grammy-nominated artist will return to promote their latest album, “Crash,” marking their first visit since their Blue Water Road Trip tour in 2023. Following on from a sold-out tour of the US, Kehlani will be making stops in Tokyo and Osaka.
Tickets
Tickets for the Yokohama performance are split into S and SS seated tickets for ¥10,500 and ¥12,500, respectively. The Osaka performance features standing tickets for ¥10,500 and second-floor seated tickets for ¥12,500. In addition to admission tickets, additional VIP ticket experiences are available, which include merchandise, a Q&A session, and meet-and-greet opportunities. Head to the official website for more information.
Other concerts in Japan this February
Honorable mentions include:
- February 7 and 8: War play Bluenote Tokyo
- February 10 – 14: Porter Robinson plays in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka
- February 13 – 18: Geordie Greep from Black MiDi plays Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima
- February 15 and 16: True Thrash Fest features numerous international artists in Osaka
- February 21 – 24: Melodic Metal Festival brings a number of international bands to Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka
- February 22 and 25: Mr Big play their final shows in Osaka and Tokyo
- February 27: Lorna Shore plays in Tokyo
March
Who’s coming in March?
Kygo
March 1¥9,800 – ¥69,800
LaLa Arena Tokyo Bay (Chiba)
Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo will make a brief stop at Tokyo Bay on March 1st. Touring globally to promote his latest chart-topping full-length effort, Kygo will receive support from artists Frankie Walker and Victoria Nadine. Some ticket categories have already sold out, so be sure to grab yours while you can.
Tickets
With Gold and A reserve tickets already sold out, only S, SS, and Platinum categories remain. All tickets are seated tickets, and the Platinum tickets give holders access to stage-side seats and exclusive merchandise. Remaining tickets available here.
Snow Machine Festival
March 4 – 15¥15,000 – ¥80,000
Hakuba and Niseko
Starting in 2020, Snow Machine festival has built a reputation for bringing buzzworthy artists from around the world to some of Japan’s favorite ski slopes. This year, Snow Machine will be making stops at both Hakuba and Niseko with a lineup of artists, including Action Bronson, Bag Raiders, and Melanie C, as well as DJ sets from Hot Chip, Jungle, Chase & Status, and more.
Tickets
Festival-only tickets offer access to all on-mountain stages as well as the main arena and come in single-day, multi-day, and VIP passes. In addition to festival-only passes, a variety of packages are available, offering a combination of accommodation and ski pass options. Head to the official website for more info.
Jack White
March 10 – 17¥12,000
Blue Live (Hiroshima), Gorilla Hall (Osaka), Diamond Hall (Nagoya), Toyosu Pit (Tokyo)
Another artist with a lot to live up to since their last Japanese appearance is Jack White. Undergoing his first-ever official headline tour of Japan in March, the 13-time Grammy Award winner will be looking to outdo his buzzworthy headline set at Fuji Rock Festival in 2023. White will be touring his sixth solo album, “No Name,” which has already received critical acclaim, and with yet another Grammy Award nomination, the highly anticipated shows are already selling out.
Tickets
The first of two shows in Tokyo and the only show in Osaka are already sold out. At the time of writing, tickets for Hiroshima, Nagoya, and the second night in Tokyo were still available. Tickets for all remaining shows are standing tickets at ¥12,000 plus one drink. Available via Smash Japan.
Mogwai
March 11 and 12¥9,650
Gorilla Hall (Osaka) and Zepp Shinjuku (Tokyo)
Post-rock fans will be treated to two shows by the Scottish quartet Mogwai this March. Hot off the announcement of their upcoming 11th studio album, fans can expect unreleased tunes as well as tracks from 2021’s acclaimed “As the Love Continues” and the band’s extensive back catalog. Having garnered significant commercial and critical attention for their 10th album and recent documentary release, the intimate Tokyo performance at Zepp Shinjujku is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the Osaka show.
Tickets
Tickets for the Osaka performance at Gorilla Hall are available online for ¥9,650.
Kylie Minogue
March 12¥14,000 – ¥20,000
Ariake Arena (Tokyo)
Princess of Pop Kylie Minogue will bring her “Magic” to “All the Lovers” in Tokyo on March 12. A rare appearance in Japan, the concert will form part of the Asian leg of her Tension world tour promoting her 2023 album “Tension” and 2024 album “Tension II.” The Australian artist is known for her elaborate stage performances and will be set to make an impression at her first major show in the country since 2011.
Tickets
Tickets are available via the Live Nation website.
PJ Harvey
March 18 and 19¥11,000 – ¥14,000
Zepp Haneda (Tokyo) and Gorilla Hall (Osaka)
Singer-songwriter, visual artist, and composer PJ Harvey returns to Japan in March. The prolific UK artist last visited the country in 2018 after the release of her chart-topping ninth studio album, “The Hope Six Demolition Project.” Since then, Harvey has kept busy composing numerous tracks for film and TV and releasing her Grammy-nominated 10th studio album “Inside the Old Year Dying.” Harvey will perform at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo and Gorilla Hall in Osaka.
Tickets
Zepp Haneda has first-floor standing tickets available for ¥11,000 and second-floor seated tickets for ¥14,000. Gorilla Hall in Osaka is standing-only, and tickets will set you back ¥11,000.
The Flaming Lips
March 26 and 27¥11,000 – ¥14,000
Zepp Haneda (Tokyo)
“Do You Realize?” that The Flaming Lips are currently on a world tour? The tour, which sees the band perform their breakout 2002 album “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” in full, will touch down in Tokyo for two nights on March 26 and 27 at Zepp Haneda. Marking the first time the band has performed in the country in 12 years, the shows are billed as a double headliner with Japanese artist Cornelius.
Tickets
Tickets for both shows are first-floor standing (¥11,000) and second-floor seated (¥14,000). General advance sales are now happening via Creativeman.
American Football
March 26 – 28¥7,800
Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka
Emo kids around Japan are uncharacteristically beaming with excitement after the announcement that emo and math rock pioneers American Football will tour Japan in spring. The group, which reformed in 2014 after a short-lived initial tenure, will play shows in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut eponymous album.
Tickets
General advance sales are available from October 5 via ePlus, Ticket Pia, and Lawson Tickets.
Punkspring
March 9 and 30¥10,000 – ¥20,000
Intex Osaka (Osaka) Makurhari Messe (Chiba)
Annual touring festival Punkspring has been a favorite of Japanese punk fans since 2006. Known for booking some of the best names in international and local punk artists, organizers have been kicking serious goals with lineups, including NOFX, Sum 41, and My Chemical Romance in recent years. This year keeps the ball rolling with another appearance from Bad Religion as well as punk legends Iggy Pop and Sex Pistols. Iggy Pop will have an additional headline appearance at Tokyo Garden Theater on April 2.
Tickets
Lineups and ticket prices slightly differ between Osaka and Tokyo. With Iggy Pop only appearing at the Tokyo festival, tickets are ¥15,000 for regular admission and ¥20,000 for Gold. Tickets for the Osaka event are ¥10,000 and ¥15,000. Gold tickets include stage-front access, dedicated festival entry and merch lanes, and bonus goods.
Other concerts in Japan this March
Don’t worry, there are more:
- March 11 – 13: Mavis Staples plays at Billboard Live Tokyo
- March 11 – 13: Nick Carter plays at Billboard Live Yokohama (now sold out)
April
Some of the big-hitters include:
Rodrigo y Gabriela
April 7 and 8¥10,000
Ebisu Garden Hall (Tokyo) and Banana Hall (Osaka)
Tokyo and Osaka will play host to Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela in early April. Known for their heavy and percussive approach to flamenco guitar, the duo gained mainstream recognition with their covers of artists such as Metallica and contributions to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Puss in Boots” film soundtracks. The upcoming performances will feature tracks from the latest album, “In Between Thoughts…A New World,” which has been met with critical acclaim.
Tickets
General advance tickets for both performances are currently on sale via the Udo Artists website for ¥10,000.
Gary Clark Jr.
April 10 and 11¥10,000 – ¥13,000
Zepp Diver City (Tokyo) and Namba Hatch (Osaka)
Tokyo and Osaka will receive long-awaited stops from Gary Clark Jr. this April. With four Grammy Awards and three new albums under his belt since his last tour in 2013, fans have a lot to catch up on. The upcoming tour promotes the latest full-length effort, “JPEG Raw,” which features appearances from Stevie Wonder and George Clinton and has been noted for tapping into traditional African, blues, R&B, jazz, and rock influences.
Tickets
First-floor standing and second-floor seated tickets are available for both shows for ¥10,000 and ¥13,000, respectively. Head to Udo Artists for more info.
Eric Clapton
April 14 – 24¥24,000 – ¥25,000
Nippon Budokan (Tokyo)
This spring will mark Eric Clapton’s 24th visit to Japan. During his last visit, the guitar legend cracked his 100th show at the celebrated Budokan arena, a record for a foreign artist and one he’s likely to keep for a long time. The upcoming 24th trip will see Clapton return to the Budokan to perform six shows, two of which are already sold out.
Tickets
S tickets at the Budokan include arena seats, first-floor seats, and second-floor seats for ¥25,000. A seats are situated at the rear of the stage on the second floor and will set you back ¥24,000. At the time of writing, tickets for all shows except the 18th and 19th were available via Udo Artists.
Rainbow Disco Club
April 18 – 19¥17,000 – ¥26,000
Higashi Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture
For years now, RDC has been Japan’s premiere event for taste-maker dance music lineups. Held over three days on April 18, 19, and 20 this year, the current lineup includes the UK’s Batu, New Zealand’s Chaos in the CBD, and a collaborative set from Eris Drew and Octo Octa. With more artists still to be announced in the coming months, there’s still time to check out camping and accommodation options via the festival’s website.
Tickets
At the time of writing, general 3-day tickets were available for ¥26,000, with discounted tickets for those under 23. However, prices often increase closer to the event. Camping and parking tickets are also available via the festival website.
Earth, Wind & Fire with Nile Rodgers & Chic
April 19 – 23¥15,000 – ¥30,000
Pia Arena MM (Yokohama), Osaka Castle Hall (Osaka), Port Messe Nagoya (Nagoya)
Disco fans are dusting off their platform shoes with the news that Earth, Wind & Fire are touring Japan with Nile Rodgers & Chic this spring. The aggressively funky tour will take place in three cities, hitting Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya over four nights. With countless awards and hits between the two genre-defining bands, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya will be cleaning up sequins for months to come.
Tickets
All shows have A, S, and Gold reserved seats ranging in price from ¥15,000 to ¥30,000. General advance sales start on February 1.
Cyndi Lauper
April 19 – 25¥20,000 – ¥50,000
Asue Arena (Osaka) and Nippon Budokan (Tokyo)
This April, Japan will see the final shows of Cyndi Lauper’s farewell tour. Dubbed the Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, the performances feature collaborations with renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama and fashion designer Christian Siriano and mark her first all-arena tour since 1986. Likely to be the last opportunity to see the Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award-winning artist perform in Japan, additional Tokyo performances have been added due to popular demand.
Tickets
At the time of writing, only tickets for the Osaka (April 19) and newly announced Tokyo (April 25) shows were still available. The Osaka show has A, S, and SS seats available, and the final show at the Budokan has four ticket categories, with both shows ranging in price from ¥19,000 to ¥50,000 VIP packages are also available for the Budokan performance on the 25th.
The Offspring
April 26 – 30¥15,000 – ¥25,000
Tokyo Garden Theater (Tokyo), Aichi Sky Expo (Nagoya), Glion Arena (Kobe)
Pop-punk fans have a lot to look forward to this April, with The Offspring and Simple Plan teaming up to “Come Out and Play” in Japan. Celebrating their 11th album and 40th anniversary, The Offspring have no shortage of hits in their arsenal and tracks like “Self Esteem,” “Pretty Fly,” and “All I Want” pretty much guarantee wild crowds in all three cities. With previous performances at Punkspring in 2013 and 2016, Canada’s Simple Plan are no strangers to Japanese crowds and will be playing tracks like “I’m Just a Kid” and “Welcome to My Life” to warm up the pit in all three cities.
Tickets
The tour will open with two shows at Tokyo Garden Theater, where the venue is divided into arena standing (¥25,000) and reserved seated tickets (¥15,000). The Aichi performance on the 29th has gold and general standing tickets available for ¥15,000 and ¥25,000, respectively. The Kobe performance features reserved seats and general and gold standing tickets.
Other concerts in Japan this April
A few more names to check out:
- April 2: Iggy Pop will be playing a headline show in Tokyo in addition to his appearance at Punkspring festival
- April 8: Gracie Abrams plays at Zepp Haneda, Tokyo
- April 10: Chinese Football plays at Liquidroom, Tokyo
- April 15 and 16: Asia plays at Billboard Live Osaka
- April 22 and 23 – Hinds plays in Tokyo and Osaka
- April 24 and 25: Neal Francis plays in Tokyo and Osaka
- April 25 – 27: Saxon plays in Osaka and Tokyo
- April 30: Ali plays in Osaka and Tokyo
May
Here’s what’s in store for May:
Boyz II Men
May 13 – 16¥15,000 – ¥26,000
Festival Hall (Osaka), Aichi Prefectural Arts Center (Nagoya), Tokyo Garden Theater (Tokyo)
In an epic meeting of three-part vocal harmonies, Philadelphia’s Boyz II Men and New York’s SWV will join each other on a tour of Japan in May. Known for bringing R&B back into the mainstream in the early 90s, Boyz II Men have sold over 64 million albums worldwide and won numerous Grammy, Billboard, and American Music awards. With tracks like “Weak,” “Right Here,” and “I’m So into You,” SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 90s and remain a favorite amongst Japanese audiences. The two groups will perform at three shows across the country, culminating in a Tokyo performance on May 16. Tickets are already selling fast.
Tickets
At the time of writing, three of the four ticket categories for the Osaka performance had sold out, with only S reserved tickets remaining for ¥20,000. In Nagoya, A and S reserved seats remain for ¥15,000 and ¥20,000. The Tokyo show has only S reserved seats remaining for ¥20,000
Other concerts in Japan this May
Here’s some of our other top picks:
- May 6 – 8: Bloodywood plays in Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo
- May 23: Sungazer plays at Daikanyama Unit, Tokyo
- May 23 – 25: Greenroom Festival brings international artists to Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
June
Here are the best concerts in Japan this June:
Snarky Puppy
June 4 and 5¥9,600
Zepp Shinjuku (Tokyo) and Umeda Club Quattro (Osaka)
Indie/jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy are doing their thing in Japan for two nights at the start of summer. The five-time Grammy Award-winning group will head to Zepp Shinjuku and Umeda Club Quattro ahead of a highly-anticipated live orchestral album due for release later this year.
Tickets
Tickets for both shows are available via the Creativeman website for ¥9,500. Both shows are all standing.
Other concerts in Japan this June
A few more international artists for you:
- June 12 and 13: Inhaler plays in Tokyo and Osaka
- June 17 – 21: Corey Wong plays in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo
July
Who’s coming in July?
Fuji Rock Festival
July 25 – 27TBC
Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata
Japan’s premier outdoor music festival returns to Niigata this July. Held at Naeba Ski Resort, Fuji Rock Festival combines stunning nature with some of the biggest names in domestic in international music from the worlds of indie, hip hop, rock, pop, and more. This year, organizers are changing things up a little and planning to drop the full lineup a little later than usual. Check back in here or the Fuji Rock Festival website to stay up to date on this year’s artists.
Tickets
Tickets for Fuji Rock usually come out around the time the lineup drops and usually cost between ¥22,500 to ¥60,000 depending on when you buy and whether you get a 1-, 2-, or 3-day ticket. Camping and parking tickets are also available if needed.
August
Here’s what to check out :
Summer Sonic Festival
August 16 and 17TBC
Zozo Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe (Chiba) and Expo ’70 Commemorative Park (Osaka)
Another of Japan’s most popular summer music festivals, Summer Sonic, will once again tour Osaka and Tokyo in August. Held simultaneously over two days in both cities, Summer Sonic lineups tend to lean a little heavier than Fuji Rock, but recent years have seen no shortage of big-name pop acts. Lineups usually start dropping around late February, and with last year’s artists including Maneskin, Bring Me the Horizon, and Christina Aguilera, you can expect some more big names in 2025.
Tickets
Ticket sales for Summer Sonic usually start with the first artist announcement in late February and usually include 1- or 2-day tickets for between ¥16,500 and ¥36,000.
September
Ultra Japan and more TBA:
Ultra Japan
September 13 and 14¥25,000 – ¥40,000
Odaiba Ultra Park (Tokyo)
This year will mark the 10th installment of Ultra Japan, one of the country’s biggest electronic music festivals. Exploding onto the annual festival calendar in 2014, the event hasn’t slowed down since, with last year’s lineup seeing the return of Afrojack as well as other headliners including Steve Aoki and Armin Van Buren. Lineup announcements usually drop in three stages starting around late July, keep an eye out for more details.
Tickets
Tickets for Ultra 2025 are already on sale, with the current ticket offerings including general admission, premium general admission, and under-23 access. Head to the official website for more info.
October
The big names coming this spooky season:
Oasis
October 25 and 26¥12,000 – ¥74,000
Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
In one of the most anticipated tours of 2025, Oasis are heading to Tokyo for two nights on October 25 and 26. “Will there be on-stage tension?” “Will they play “Wonderwall?” “Is this whole tour just a massive cash grab?” The answer to these questions and more is a resounding “yes.” If you’re late to the party, tickets for both shows are already sold out, BUT “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” an official resale for both shows will be taking place in September.
Tickets
Tickets for these shows did not last long at all, but if you missed out, mark your diary for midnight on the mornings of September 25 and 26 and make sure you’ve got a Ticket Pia account for the official resale period. Only non-issued tickets purchased through the Japanese Ticket Pia channels will be eligible for resale, and organizers have made it clear that they can’t guarantee access to those who purchase tickets outside of the official Ticket Pia re-release platform. Check this website for more details.
Other concerts in Japan this October
Who else is touring in October?
- October 27 – 29: Daminao David from Maneskin will perform in Tokyo and Osaka
November
Here’s whats announced so far for November:
Pixies
November 2 – 5¥9,800 – ¥12,000
Gorilla Hall (Osaka) and Ex Theater Roppongi (Tokyo)
With a recent lineup change and a new album under their belt, Pixies will play three shows in Japan in November. Since their 2004 reunion, the Boston quartet has been selling out tours all around the world, and with the release of their ninth studio album — their first with new bassist Emma Richardson — tickets for the upcoming Japan tour won’t last long.
Tickets
Pixies will play one night in Osaka and two nights in Tokyo, and general sales for all shows will start on February 1 via Creativeman. The Osaka venue is all standing (¥9,800), and the Tokyo shows have standing tickets for ¥9,800 and reserved seated tickets for ¥12,000.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy resale tickets if the show is sold out?
We recommend only buying from official resellers. Some bigger ticketing companies, like ePlus and Ticket Pia, will generally announce official resale tickets if they become available. While unofficial resale sites often have tickets available, tour promoters and official ticket agencies typically have policies against them.
Why does the ticket price say “1 drink”?
Most shows in Japan, big or small, have a drink ticket policy. This additional cost (usually around ¥500) guarantees bar revenue for the venue and helps to keep costs down for artists and promoters.
Can I buy tickets from overseas?
Larger events and ticketing agencies usually have a separate link or landing page for customers purchasing tickets from outside Japan, but this is not always the case.
What time will the show finish?
Gigs in Japan usually start and finish early. For most live shows, you can expect doors to open around 6:00 pm and the performance to begin around 7:00 pm. This means that shows are usually finished before the last train so attendees can make it home safely.
What is the ticket lottery?
You’ll see this for many big shows and festivals. Basically, lotteries are a way to prevent ticket scalping and website overload when shows go on sale. Allowing lottery entries over days or weeks gives fans enough time to enter the lottery comfortably and apply for a limited number of tickets. Most available tickets will generally get picked up during this period, but those who miss out still have a chance when general sales become available.
Is Oasis coming to Japan?
Yes! They’ll be playing at Tokyo Dome for two nights on October 25 and 26.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. The first version of this post was published in August 2023. Last updated in January 2025, by Patrick Balfe.
