Jazz Festivals in Eastern Japan [2026] JAZZ Street List

A wide variety of artists will perform live at nearly 40 venues set up throughout downtown Sendai. Just like choosing your favorite dishes in a bustling cafeteria where people gather, the event is held with the hope that you’ll discover and savor your very own music from the wealth of sounds from around the world spilling across the city. That’s the true charm of a jazz street.

Kanazawa Jazz Street is held under the concept of sharing jazz from Kanazawa—a city that honors tradition while embracing innovation—with the world. Aiming to be a festival where anyone can take part, it fosters交流 among a wide range of musicians and audience members—young and old, professional and amateur alike.

This is a jazz festival held in the hot spring town of Matsunoyama in Niigata Prefecture. You can enjoy live jazz performances at venues set up around the town. After the event, why not soak in the hot springs to unwind before heading home? It might just make for a perfect day.

Iruma City’s jazz fest, the Green Tea JAZZ Festival. It’s an event named after Iruma’s specialty product: tea. While it features popular artists who also perform at major festivals, it also hosts a Student Jam by local students.

A handcrafted jazz festival, the Yokohama Asahi Jazz Festival. Since its inception, it has featured two stages—a professional stage and an amateur stage—making it an event that anyone can participate in. Going to listen is great, but if you’re a jazz musician, why not apply to perform?

The Sagami-Ono Monje Festival was named after the French word “Mangez,” meaning “to eat.” It’s a cut above ordinary food stalls, as renowned local restaurants from Sagami-Ono come together to showcase their culinary pride and let visitors savor the flavors of exceptional establishments. The main stage—planned and run by these restaurants—also features programs by professional musicians that anyone can enjoy for free, making it a highly entertaining event.

The Yatsugatake Jazz Festival, commonly known as Yatujazz, is held at the foot of the Yatsugatake Mountains in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. A number of renowned jazz artists take the stage one after another for dynamic sessions. It promises to be a full day of authentic jazz. The venue, Kobuchizawa Wellness Garden, features stylish Western-style architecture.