International Musicians Touring Japan in 2025

You’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for international concerts in Japan this year. 

With household names like Mariah Carey and lesser-known artists like Black Country, New Road, there’s something for everyone right into winter. On top of that, there are a bunch of awesome music festivals to head to. Check out some of our top picks below. 

April

Some of the big hitters include:

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 – 27
¥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, additional dates were added due to popular demand and 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 tastemaker 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

April update* The Yokohama shows have sold out but Osaka and Nagoya have A, S, and Gold reserved seats available ranging in price from ¥15,000 to ¥30,000.

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 updating, only the newly announced Tokyo (April 22—25) shows were still available. The Budokan shows have four ticket categories ranging in price from ¥19,000 to ¥50,000. VIP packages are also available. 

Hinds

April 22 and 23
¥7,500
Yogibo Holy Mountain (Osaka) and Shibuya Club Quattro (Osaka)

Does, deers, female deers, Hinds will return to Osaka and Tokyo in late April. Undergoing a significant lineup change in late 2023 and releasing one of Rolling Stones’ top 100 albums of 2024, the Spanish garage rock duo is returning to Japan as part of their Viva Hinds world tour. Hinds will perform at Yogibo Holy Mountain in Osaka and Shibuya Club Quattro in Tokyo, with Tokyo indie band Tendouji opening both shows. 

Tickets

General advance tickets for both performances are currently on sale via the Smash Japan website for ¥7,500. 

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 10: Chinese Football plays at Liquidroom, Tokyo
• April 15 and 16: Asia plays at Billboard Live 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

The Tokyo and Osaka shows have now sold out for this tour. In Nagoya, A and S reserved seats remain for ¥15,000 and ¥20,000. 

Greenroom Festival

May 22—25
¥12—¥30
Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Yokohama)

Yokohama’s much-loved Green Room Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Since 2005, the event has advocated for clean oceans through a mix of music, art, and culture. This year, the event will welcome international artists such as YG Marley, Kamasi Washington, and Jacob Collier, to name a few, as well as Japanese artists including Okinawa’s AWICH, festival staples toe, and five-piece neo soul outfit Kroi. In addition to music, the event will feature an eclectic mix of visual and performing arts, as well as food and market stalls. More information on markets and timetables is set to be announced over the coming weeks. Head to the official website for more information. 

Tickets

Tickets for Greenroom Festival range from ¥12 for Friday-only tickets to ¥30 for 3-day tickets. Saturday-only, Sunday-only, and 2-day tickets are also available via the Greenroom Festival website. 

Other concerts in Japan this May

Here are some of our other top picks: 

• May 5: Guns n’ Roses play at K Arena, Yokohama. (Sold out).
• May 6 – 8: Bloodywood plays in Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo
• May 23: Sungazer plays at Daikanyama Unit, Tokyo

June

Here are the best concerts in Japan this June: 

Valley

June 3—5
¥8,800
Bigcat (Osaka), Club Quattro (Nagoya), Zepp Divercity (Tokyo) 

Canadian indie pop outfit Valley will return to the country for three shows in June. Last visiting for a sold-out stand-alone performance in 2023, this will be their first official tour of the country and, with the departure of lead guitarist Mickey Brandolino last year, their first visit as a trio. The run of shows will mark the release of their latest effort Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden and just over 10 years since the release of the band’s debut EP Car Test. The latest album has already earned the band their third Juno Award nomination and produced a string of impressive singles, including the hooky title track and the nostalgic When You Know Someone.

Tickets

Tickets for the Osaka and Nagoya shows are standing-only for ¥8,800. The Tokyo show has standing tickets for ¥8,800 and second-floor seated tickets for ¥9,500. Tickets are available via Live Nation Japan. 

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. 

Japanese Breakfast

June 11 and 13
¥8,500
Zepp Shinjuku (Tokyo), Club Quattro (Osaka)

Fresh off the release of their fourth full-length album, Japanese Breakfast has announced a short June tour of Japan. The latest album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) follows on from the release of the highly successful Jubilee as well as a much-discussed Green Stage performance at 2022’s Fuji Rock festival. The latest album has already been met with critical acclaim, and tickets for these shows are anticipated to sell out. 

Tickets

Tickets for both shows are standing-only and are currently available online for ¥8,500 via the Smash Japan website. 

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: Cory Wong plays in Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo

July

Who’s coming in July? 

Fuji Rock Festival

July 25 – 27
TBC
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 features big-name Western headliners like Fred Again.. and Vampire Weekend and Japanese favorites like Yamshitsa Tatsuro and Radwimps across three nights. 

Tickets

Tickets for Fuji Rock are now on sale for between ¥9,000 to ¥59,000 depending on your age, 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 17
TBC
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. This year’s lineup continues that trend with Alicia Keys and Fall Out Boy headlining, joined by other artists like The Prodigy, Block Party, and Babymetal. The Tokyo and Osaka events differ slightly, so make sure to check before buying tickets. 

Tickets

General release tickets for this year’s events start on May 24 and will cost between ¥20,000 for a 1-day ticket and  ¥38,000 for a 2-day ticket for Tokyo and ¥18,000 and  ¥35,000 for Osaka. 

Other concerts in Japan this August

Some extra options:

• August 15: Sonic Mania will bring The Prodigy, Floating Points, and more to Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

September

Ultra Japan and more:

Tyler, The Creator

September 9—10
¥9,000—¥58,800
Ariake Arena (Tokyo)

Tyler, The Creator is bringing his huge Chromakopia arena tour to Tokyo in September. Tickets for the first night on September 9 sold out quickly, and a second show on September 10 was recently added. At the time of writing, the Tokyo shows are set to be among the last of the tour, which has already been praised for its setlist, production, and performances.

Tickets

At the time of writing, only VIP packages are remaining for the second show on September 10 — VIP 1 tickets (¥58,800) and VIP 2 tickets (¥33,800). While details on official resale tickets are not yet available, keep an eye out on the official ticket website for more info.

The Get Up Kids

September 9—11
¥8,000
Bigcat (Osaka), Liquidroom (Tokyo)

In yet another reminder of the relentless passage of time, Kansas City’s The Get Up Kids are also celebrating a major milestone this year. With just over two and a half decades since the release of their quintessential album Something to Write Home About, the Midwest emo pioneers are heading to Japan as part of the album’s 25th-anniversary tour. The tour will make stops at Osaka’s Bigcat and Tokyo’s Liquidroom where the band will be performing the album in full. 

Tickets

Presale tickets are currently available via the Smash Japan website. Both performances are standing-only tickets for ¥8,000 plus one drink. 

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. 

Horsegirl

September 16—18
¥7,700
WWWX (Tokyo), Liquidroom (Tokyo), and Banana Hall (Osaka)

It’s been a big few years for Chicago trio Horesgirl. Signing to Matador Records in 2021, they released their debut album to massive acclaim the following year and have just released their follow-up, Phonetics On and On. The new release pulls no punches. Produced by Cate Le Bon (Deerhunter, Kurt Vile, Wilco), it sees the further step into their own experimenting with the addition of violin, synth, and gamelan while retaining the elegant simplicity of their earlier releases. 

Tickets

With the Wednesday night show at Liquidroom quickly selling out, another Tokyo show at WWWX on the Tuesday night has just been announced. The remaining tickets for Tokyo and Osaka are currently available for ¥7,700 via the Beatink website. 

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. 

Mariah Carey

October 28—November 2
¥15,000—¥65,000
GLion Arena (Kobe), K Arena (Yokohama)

It looks like Christmas is coming early this year with a pre-December appearance from Mariah Carey. Emerging from her slumber, she’s taking the stage across three nights to celebrate the 20th anniversary of MIMI, the 25th anniversary of Daydream, and the 30th anniversary of her debut. Carey will perform one night in Kobe and two nights in Yokohama, and tickets are expected to sell out, so make your wish come true and jump on tickets quickly. 

Tickets

Each of the two venues has at least five ticket categories ranging in price from ¥15,000 or ¥16,000 to ¥65,000. The cheapest tickets at the Kobe performance are A Reserved seats for ¥16,000, with the priciest being Gold Reserved for ¥65,000. A Reserved at the Yokohama shows are a little more affordable at ¥15,000. 

Other concerts in Japan this October

Who else is touring in October? 

• October 23: The Jesus Lizard will perform at Duo Music Exchange in Shibuya, Tokyo.
• October 27 – 29: Damiano David from Maneskin will perform in Tokyo and Osaka

November

Here’s what’s 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 started 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. 

Travis Scott

November 8
¥14,800—¥88,800
Belluna Dome (Saitama)

Travis Scott’s highly anticipated Circus Maximum tour will finally hit Japan this November. Since first kicking off in October 2023, the tour has hit almost 80 cities around the world and is currently set to wrap up in Tokyo after six legs and 84 performances. The stadium show is set to feature primarily tracks from the 2023 album Utopia, which made numerous big-name end-of-year lists and earned the artists Billboard and Grammy award nominations. 

Tickets

With two rounds of exclusive pre-sales already behind us, Live Nation Japan newsletter member and Ticket Pia exclusive presale tickets are set to roll out from April 8 and 11, respectively. If you miss out on these, keep an eye out for an official resale in case one gets announced at a later date.

Other concerts in Japan this October

Who else have we got? 

• November 11 and 24: Mew will perform their final Japan shows in Osaka and Tokyo.
• October 27 – 29: Damiano David from Maneskin will perform in Tokyo and Osaka

December

Here’s what’s in store for December:

Beth Gibbons

December 1—3
¥11,000—¥16,000
Sumida Triphony Hall (Tokyo), Zepp Namba (Osaka)

Following up on a moving performance at Fuji Rock last year, Beth Gibbons will undertake her first solo tour of Japan this December. The English singer, best known as the vocalist for Portishead, released her debut solo album in May 2024, earning a Mercury Prize Nomination. The show will take place across three intimate, seated performances, with two shows in Tokyo and one in Osaka. 

Tickets

All shows are seated, with seats at the Tokyo shows ranging from ¥11,000 to ¥16,000. The Osaka performance has two ticket categories, S seats for  ¥13,000 and SS seats for ¥16,000. Tix are available via Smash Japan. 

Franz Ferdinand

December 9—11
¥12,000—¥13,000
Namba Hatch (Osaka), Garden Theater (Tokyo)

With the release of their sixth studio album in January, Franz Ferdinand also announced a brief tour of Japan taking place in December. The performances will be their first in Japan in three years and their first in the country with new guitarist Dino Bardot and drummer Audrey Tait. In addition to tracks from the new album, The Human Fear, expect to hear classics like Take Me Out, which surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams earlier this year.

Tickets

General release tickets for both shows will be available via the Smash website from April 12. Tickets for the Osaka show are standing for ¥12,000 and seated for ¥13,000. Tickets for the Tokyo show will be ¥13,000 for both seated and standing. 

Black Country, New Road

December 8—10
¥8,800
Bigcat (Osaka), Jammin’ (Nagoya) Ex Theater (Tokyo)

Black Country, New Road will return to Japan this December with the release of their latest album Forever Howlong. The upcoming tour follows a memorable and emotionally charged performance at Fuji Rock’s White Stage in 2022 and their debut three-show tour in 2023. The new album, the follow-up to the highly acclaimed 2022 sophomore release, has already been universally praised for its distinctness and spontaneity. 

Tickets

General release tickets for all shows will be available via the Beatink website for ¥8,800 from April 26. 

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 April 2025 by Patrick Balfe.