Complete Guide to Kansai Spring Festivals [2026]! Introducing Popular Events
Music festivals that color Kansai’s spring will once again be held one after another this year.
From outdoor concerts in nature-rich settings away from the hustle and bustle of the city to city festivals held amid historic streetscapes, a diverse lineup of unique spring festivals awaits.
You can experience moving moments where music intertwines with the arrival of spring—such as passionate performances by popular artists and special stages set against fluttering cherry blossoms.
In this article, we’ll showcase music festivals taking place across Kansai this spring, all at once and across all sizes and genres.
- Kansai Winter Festivals Complete Guide [2026]: Introducing Popular Music Events
- Complete Guide to Kansai Summer Festivals [2026]: Electrifying Stages and Performing Artists
- Complete Guide to Spring Festivals in the Kanto Region! Introducing Featured Artists and Venue Information [2026]
- Kyoto Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals and Events Roundup
- Spring music festival to be held in western Japan [2026]
- Spring Music Festival Schedule Overview [2026]
- Kansai Music Festivals [2026]: Spotlight on Must-See Outdoor Fests & Events
- Music festival in Western Japan held during Golden Week [2026]
- Osaka Festival Calendar [2026]: Music Festivals and Outdoor Events Summary
- Hyogo Music Festivals [2026]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary
- Kansai Jazz Festival List [2026]
- Spring Festival Events in the Tokai Area [2026]
- [GW] Music Festivals Held During Golden Week [2026] — List of Rock and Outdoor Festivals
May
Good Times Good PeopleMon 5/4 – Wed 5/6, Osaka Prefecture
| Schedule | Mon, May 4–Wed, May 6, 2026 |
| place | WHATAWON, 1-32-1 Kishinoka-cho, Kishiwada-shi, Osaka-fu |
| Website | https://whatawon.co.jp/202605good-times-good-people/ |
MIMINOIMI – Ambient / Week –Mon 5/4 – Sun 5/10, Osaka Prefecture
| Schedule | Mon, May 4–Sun, May 10, 2026 |
| place | Multiple venues in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
OTODAMA ~Sound Spring Soul~Mon 5/4–Tue 5/5, Osaka Prefecture
“OTODAMA – Onsensoul” is a Japanese rock festival run by the Kansai promoter Shimizu Onsen, held continuously since 2005. The venue is Izumiotsu Phoenix in Osaka, known for its open, seaside setting. Playing on the words “onsen” (hot spring) and “onsen” (sound spring), the grounds feature hot-spring-inspired touches throughout, and its unique worldbuilding—incorporating different motifs each year—is part of the appeal. In May 2026, it will take place over two days during Golden Week.
| Schedule | Mon, May 4, 2026 – Tue, May 5, 2026 |
| place | Izumiotsu Phoenix, 6 Yuunagi-cho, Izumiotsu City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Appearance | [5/4] Kenichi Asai / 171 / iri / Age Factory / OAU / OKAMOTO’S / Quruli / Suchmos / ZAZEN BOYS / Michiko Shimizu / The Birthday (KazuYuki Kuhara, Haruki Hirai, Kenji Fujii) / Hitsujibungaku / Lucky Kilimanjaro / Gensen Tent / Aki / a flood of circle / TV Tairiku Ondo / Haku. / Hedigan’s / LAUSBUB / Water-Boiling DJ / King Joe / Gensen Strong Style Post-Bath Act / Niko-n [5/5] Taiiku Okazaki / Sekai-kan Ozaki (CreepHyp) / Sohei Oyamada BAND / ORANGE RANGE / Kyuso Nekokami / GINNAN BOYZ / Koresawa / SHISHAMO / Su-xing-cyu / Paranormal Warrior Dorian / Hump Back / Peanuts-kun / Frederic / Gensen Tent / Kaleidoscope / Sundae May Club / Tenten Takadaka / FUJIBASE / Blue Mash / Maverick Mom / Perfect Attendance Bath-Front Act / Flower Companyz / Gensen Climax Post-Bath Act / Tomovsky |
| Website | https://www.shimizuonsen.com/otodama/26/ |
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KOBE MELLOW CRUISETue 5/5 – Wed 5/6 Hyogo Prefecture
This is an urban music festival that has continually shared culture from the port city of Kobe. Under the banner “Culture sets sail for its next course,” it offers a captivating space where you can freely explore not only music, but also art, fashion, and food. In 2026, the venue will move from Meriken Park to GLION ARENA KOBE/TOTTEI PARK, taking place in the heart of the city where sea breezes meet an urban vibe. May 2026 marks the festival’s 5th anniversary—when a new voyage finally begins.
| Schedule | Tue, May 5, 2026 – Wed, May 6, 2026 |
| place | 2-1 Shinkocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, GLION ARENA KOBE / TOTTEI PARK |
| Appearance | [5/5] Yuki Chiba / Kohjiya / LEX / AI / AK-69 / AZU / DADA / ENEL / G.B.C CAMP / guca owl / HARKA / IFE / Jin Dogg / Kaneee / lilbesh ramko / Pxrge Trxxxper / Tete / Watson / De-void* Hosted by kZm / kZm / KAGVYA [5/6] KEIJU / Kvi Baba / kZm / Dengaryu -Band Set- / FNCY (ZEN-LA-ROCK / G.RINA / Chinza DOPENESS) / GADORO / KM / luv / Manaka / MIKADO / Peanut-kun / Peterparker69 / Skaai -Band Set- / SKRYU / tofubeats / WILYWNKA / 3Li¥en / 7 / MaisonDe from HIMEJI / Shurkn Pap / Taiyoh lj / Neibiss |
| Website | https://kobe-mellow-cruise.com/ |
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Ashiya Jazz FestivalTue, 5/5 Hyogo Prefecture
This jazz festival in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture began in 2017 and will mark its 10th edition in 2026. Embraced as a free-admission event that turns the entire city into a stage—from the plaza in front of JR Ashiya Station and local shopping streets to a grand hall and even a chapel—it has become a local favorite. As an official UNESCO International Jazz Day event, the festival has received a letter of appreciation from Herbie Hancock every year since its first edition, reflecting its roots in both the local community and the wider world. Held in May during Children’s Day, it delivers a day filled with music and smiles.
| Schedule | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 |
| place | Hyogo Prefecture, Ashiya City, Funadocho, around JR Ashiya Station (multiple venues within the city) |
| Appearance | [5/5] [Multipurpose Hall] O-Jazztet / Tempo rubato / Paddy Fields / Do’ Desuka Band / color jam / SUDDENCOOL / Dan Band / SANDY EB / Ashioto / Mint Jamz [Ashiya Buddhist Hall] livestock trio / EN Crazy Dogs / Klezit / Kobe Y Project / ATB / DanZ / Fig / Go for it! Boars / Dal Paradiso [Luna Hall (Small)] BENTOS / Osaka City Funk Band / Speed Limit 180 / Naniwa Fusion Project / Sensual / SHOW-LOWs / Super Works / ClockWorkThing / Acid ICE / A♭ / Takuya Hirai TRIO / BLACK CANDY [Luna Hall (Large)] Hyogo Prefectural International High School HOPPIN’ NOTE / Konan High School & Junior High Plus Ensemble KBE2026 / Edwin & Mike Duo / Wi-Mo / Osaka Swing Lab / Drinkin’ Wonders / Shiho Akagi Serie AK Special / Stevie Silver & The Westsiders / Haruko’s Yuming Band / Osaka Victory Choir / Beers In Heaven / Chitaro BLUES JACK / The Three Wishes / VERMILION FIELD [Lead Ashiya] Breeze / Club-SQUARE / Molly Lane / Mellow Tone / C.S.B Falcon / Cotton Spinners / Uncle Sammy / Tomoaki Okudaira with Friends / NYNY Quartet / Akki, Yushi, Tetsu / Yume☆Chance / AI☆HOUSE / TAKE★FIVE / Fox Biyori Band [Catholic Ashiya Church] amapola / Not-Only-Sax Ensemble Nikoni ko / nao & Taichi / com bossa / Shino Ayane / Gloria Matsuda / Wang Yemin / MONDIEU [EJ] fan dii na / DAS / LUNA with friends / Pink Peppers / The Natsumerose / E.Hearts / BEAT-LUZ / @gray zone / Elephants / KIIT Jazz Project / Fusion Rewind / Osaka Pochi-Pochi Orchestra 51/2026 / Ashiya BBQ Club Band [Satsuma Fuji] JAZZ Joto / Noboru Kitahashi Ark of note / HY!HAT / Crimson5 / macska / mini me / narumi & hiro / Reflection / Anns / Nanatsuboshi / buvetts / Sugarloaf / Kuno Takayoshi / JACKY [Rio Coffee] Feliz / kinoshita / Poporipo / Norakura Pawn / HummingBird / Sunset Cocktail / Four Sparrows [Sacle Ev] Apple and Honey / Lumière / Very Berry / AMIG / Cocodrilo / Mille-feuille / Nao Oyama & Tadahiko Kudo DUO / Kyoko Ogusu & Jun Deguchi / Yoko and Hiroshi [TBDB] Amatan / Pokin Kintaro / Bourbon Life / Naosaka Ii Sinatra Tribute / Ok-kun / Mitsuharu’s Singing with Brothers / Gon, Ante & Myu / Mint Tea / DEPARTURES / Rokko Guitar Sub Trio / agApe / Jecco. / Mamma G / kamesh [Le Coin] Keiji / Hitoshi Watanabe / mario BOSSA NOVA Satoshi Abe / hacoseco / VEGA duo / YANTOO & MABLEE / Sunset Celebration / Keiko Raspberry & Hiroshi Hata Duo / Masaya Yuasa / Iida & Kanazawa Duo [Pedestrian Deck] REJOICE / Tea Gathering / Pink Gingerale / Fool Cool Pool / Grandpa / Jo-Ja / PARA★SKA / iro. iro. iro / Cattleya / B-Groo-V / Tea Time [COTTON FIELD] Uruwaka / Riverside Diva and Acchan Piano / Tipsy Time / Satoko Shudo / naonao / Sugar Malt / Yumi Mizuno & Nobuyuki Matsuoka Duo / Emiko & Karl / Unit SUMIRE / Tateppiro / Nine-Step / Aiko Yoden / Mami Yonekawa & Mine Hida / Harumi Katakai, Kana Ando, Mayumi Miyagawa Jazz Trio |
| Website | http://www.ashiya-jazz.info/ |
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Think!Feel!ESAKA!Wed, May 6 - Osaka Prefecture
| Schedule | Wednesday, May 6, 2026 |
| place | Hattori Ryokuchi Open-air Music Hall, 1-7 Hattori Ryokuchi, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
Takaragaike Irish Music MarketWed, 5/6 Kyoto Prefecture
An outdoor Irish music market held with green as its theme color, set in Kyoto’s Takaragaike Park Ikoino-mori. Popular vendors from within Kyoto City and farther afield gather at the venue, lining up their stalls to encircle the session area. Following the guest stage, an Irish music party takes place, where you can enjoy live performances and food in a picnic atmosphere. It will be held on a public holiday in May 2026 with free admission.
| Schedule | Wednesday, May 6, 2026 |
| place | Ikoino-mori, Takaragaike Park, Matsugasaki Kitorocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Appearance | [5/6] [Irish Music Party] Tomoko Saito (fiddle) / Jun Akazawa (bouzouki) / Sho Iwasa (flute, whistle, banjo) / Shunsuke Shimizu (flute, whistle) / Hiroshi Yamamoto (guitar) / Miwa Horio (vocal) / Toshi Bodhrán (bodhrán) [Guest Stage] Ribet towns / Akiko Ando / Joke on the puppy (shirt shop) & Old Time Jam |
| Website | https://inagawabase.com/event/takaragaike_irish_music_market2026/ |
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