Kansai Music Festivals [2025–2026]: Special Feature on Must-See Outdoor Fests & Events
Live performances resonating from vast outdoor stages, the electric energy created by artists and fans as one, and making memories with friends.
This year, a variety of unique music festivals will once again be held across the Kansai region.
In these special spaces where diverse genres—rock, pop, jazz, and more—intertwine, why not experience irreplaceable moments of excitement?
In this article, we introduce standout outdoor festivals and event information.
- Osaka Festival Calendar [2025]: Guide to Music Festivals and Outdoor Events
- List of Rock Festivals in Kansai [2025]
- Kyoto Music Festivals [2025] Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary
- Hyogo Music Festivals [2025]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Roundup
- List of Free-Admission Festivals in Kansai [2025]
- Shiga Music Festivals [2025]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary
- Complete Guide to Kansai Summer Festivals 2025: Electrifying Stages and Performing Artists
- List of summer festivals in western Japan [2025] held during the summer vacation: rock festivals and outdoor music festivals
- List of Rock Festivals in Western Japan [2025]
- Autumn Music Festival in Western Japan [2025]
- List of Reggae Festivals in Kansai [2025]
- Summer Music Festivals Held in Western Japan [2025]
- Complete Guide to Kansai Spring Festivals [2025]! Introducing Popular Events
Past events
Monkey Explosion FestivalSat, Oct 11 – Hyogo Prefecture
| Schedule | Saturday, October 11, 2025 |
| place | Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City music zoo KOBE Taiyo to Tora (Sun and Tiger) / THE LIVE HOUSE CHICKEN GEORGE / KOBE VARIT. live music club PADOMA / KINGS X / KOBE BLUE PORT / D×Q Kobe / KOBE108 |
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Hikoneiro Cultural FestivalSat, Oct 11 – Shiga Prefecture
| Schedule | Saturday, October 11, 2025 |
| place | Kojinyama Park, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture |
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Kobe Jazz StreetSat 10/11–Sun 10/12, Hyogo Prefecture
Kobe Jazz Street is a jazz festival with an uncompromising passion for jazz. In Kobe, they are committed to preserving traditional, orthodox jazz, so they recruit performers with a focus on traditional jazz and, rather than solos, on ensembles. Every year, jazz musicians from Japan and abroad—both professionals and amateurs—gather to take part.
| Schedule | Sat–Sun, Oct 11–12, 2025 |
| place | Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, Kobe Club / Kitano Meister Garden (Former Kitano Elementary School) / Kobe Women's University Education Center / India Club / Kobe Baptist Church / Hotel Kitano Plaza Rokko-so / Café de Paris / Restaurant Sone / Pipeline |
| Website | http://www.kobejazzstreet.gr.jp |
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MINAMI WHEELSat 10/11–Mon 10/13, Osaka Prefecture
It’s the biggest showcase live event in Minami, Osaka, brought to you by FM802! Concerts will take place across live houses throughout the Minami area. Whether you’re here to see your favorite artists or to discover new music, the choice is yours!
| Schedule | Sat, Oct 11–Mon, Oct 13, 2025 |
| place | Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City: ANIMA / AtlantiQs / BEYOND / BIGCAT / BRONZE / CLAPPER / club JOULE / club vijon / CONPASS / DROP / FANJ twice / FootRock & BEERS / hills Pan Koujou (Hills Bread Factory) / JANUS / OSAKA MUSE / OSAKA RUIDO / soma / SUNHALL / VARON / Namba Hatch |
| Website | http://minamiwheel.jp |
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Kyoto Music ExpoSat 10/11–Sun 10/12, Kyoto Prefecture
This is an event hosted by Quruli that has been held annually in their hometown of Kyoto since 2007. Over the years, audiences have enjoyed a compelling lineup featuring artists from Japan and abroad, crossing genre boundaries. When in-person events weren’t possible due to COVID-19, they kept the event going by taking on the challenge of online live performances. Highlights include distinctive production and a carefully curated lineup that reflect their unwavering dedication to music. Be sure to experience it live if you can.
| Schedule | Sat–Sun, Oct 11–12, 2025 |
| place | Umekoji Park Lawn Square, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Website | http://kyotoonpaku.net |
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Forest of Dreams FestivalSat 10/11 – Sun 10/12, Nara Prefecture
| Schedule | Sat–Sun, Oct 11–12, 2025 |
| place | Kashihara Park, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture / Around Kashiharajingū-mae Station Central Exit |
| Website | http://yumenomori.net/ |
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Osaka AcoloadOct 6 (Mon) – 7 (Tue), Osaka Prefecture
It’s a circuit event held at live bars around Higashi-Shinsaibashi. As the title suggests, it focuses on acoustic performances, and you can relax and enjoy a variety of artists’ sets while having food and drinks at the bar.
| Schedule | Mon–Tue, Oct 6–7, 2025 |
| place | Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Higashi-Umeda AZYTATE |
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