Spring Music Festival Schedule Overview [2026]

Musikfest Nara, whose name comes from the German word for “music festival,” is a large-scale music festival organized by Nara Prefecture that began in 2012. Venues across the prefecture include World Heritage shrines and temples, historic halls, as well as cafés and community centers in town, blending the ancient capital’s scenery with a rich variety of sounds. Centered on classical music, the lineup spans jazz, traditional Japanese music, world/folk music, and rock, fostering a community-wide music culture. In 2026, it will run for an extended period from May through December.

A city-style festival jointly produced by TOWER RECORDS, Shimamura Music, and PLANT, held right in the heart of Sapporo’s Odori. Set on the special rooftop stage of Sapporo PARCO, your wristband lets you move freely throughout the venue. One of its appeals is that you can enjoy live performances in an open-air setting with a drink in hand, while taking breaks for shopping or dining at the in-house restaurants. In 2026, it will be held over five days during the Golden Week holiday in May.

Hirono Town Fureai Festa 2026 is a major spring event held at Futatsunuma General Park in Hirono Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture. The event is hosted by Hirono Town and co-hosted by Hirono Town Promotion Corporation, Inc. In addition to stage performances such as Japanese taiko drum groups, dance teams, and participatory live painting, there will also be a flea market and food trucks. It’s a full day of fun for the whole family, and admission is free. The event will take place in May 2026.

Shibuya Metal-kai Fest 2026 is a live event hosted by Shibuya Metal-kai, an irregularly held metal DJ drinking party at live venues in Shibuya. The event takes place across three venues: Shibuya CYCLONE, WWW X, and GARRET. Inside the venues, there will be a flyer booth where people can exchange information about the domestic metal scene, serving as a networking hub freely available to bands and event organizers. Scheduled for May 2, 2026.

The SaLaD Music Festival was launched in 2018 as a festival where everyone can experience and express the joy of music. Based on the concept behind its name—Sing and Listen and Dance: Sing! Listen! Dance!—it offers a fresh and diverse lineup of programs. In addition to its main venue at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Toshima Ward), performances are also held at the Ueno Park Outdoor Stage and civic halls throughout the Tama area. From May to November 2026, the festival will present the Main Concert, the OK! Orchestra, the SaLaD Premium Concert, and more.

TOKYO M.A.P.S is an urban music program that J-WAVE and Roppongi Hills have been running since 2008, built on the concept of a map where Music, Art, and Performance intersect. It is held every year during Golden Week at Roppongi Hills Arena, with that year’s organizer welcoming a diverse lineup of artists. For this year’s edition in May 2026, STUTS serves as organizer, sketching a “crossroads of sound” in the heart of the city centered on hip-hop and jazz.