Kansai Music Festivals [2026]: Spotlight on Must-See Outdoor Fests & Events

Many people recognize Ashiya as an upscale residential area, but it also boasts numerous tourist attractions. It is a quiet town surrounded by nature—the mountains, river, and sea. You won’t want to miss the jazz festival held in such a wonderful setting.

A new festival is being born in Kobe, a historic port city that has long shared diverse cultures with the world. From Meriken Park—where you can feel the pleasant sea breeze—the concept is to enjoy cruising through culture: music, art, fashion, delicious food, and more. It’s exciting to imagine what kinds of performances and experiences await. The venue is open-air, so with everyone’s cooperation to avoid crowding, it should be possible to enjoy the event safely. Why not refresh your mind by engaging all five senses?

The Kobe Shinkaichi Music Festival emphasizes that it is a “community music festival,” created with the hope that people who love music and festivals will take part, and that both performers and audiences will enjoy themselves. For two days, the streets of Shinkaichi are immersed in music—why not join in too?

Kobe, which recovered and rebuilt after the damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. There was a great deal of support for the recovery. This charity festival began as a way to give back for that support and has been held every year since. Admission is free every year, and donations are collected throughout the venue. The event has safely been confirmed to take place again this year.