Kansai Music Festivals [2025–2026]: Special Feature on Must-See Outdoor Fests & Events

Music Festival Master / Editor-in-ChiefKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC and in charge of music festivals. When I attended my first music festival as a freshman in college, I was captivated by its charm—“I can’t believe there’s a place this free and this fun.” I share information about wonderful music festivals every day to help grow the community of festival fans.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

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.

Past events

Hirakata-juku Jazz Street+Sat 9/13 – Sun 9/14, Osaka Prefecture

http://www.hira-jazz.com

The Hirakata-juku Jazz Street is an initiative led by a citizens’ group and has grown to attract as many as 10,000 attendees. Marking the 70th anniversary of the city’s incorporation this year, under the tagline “Riding on our dreams for 70 years—Hirakata City takes flight,” they are taking a flexible approach that doesn’t focus solely on jazz, but rather aims to invigorate the city as a whole.

Schedule	Sat–Sun, Sep 13–14, 2025
place	Hirakata-shi Station, Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture / Nearby Venues
Website	https://www.hira-jazz.com/
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KOYABU SONICSat 9/13–Mon 9/15, Osaka Prefecture

http://www.koyabusonic.com

Koyabu Sonic is hosted by Chihiro Koyabu, a hugely popular TV personality known for Yoshimoto Shinkigeki. The event will take place over three days using Halls 2 and 5 at Intex Osaka. In addition to performances by the Yoshimoto Shinkigekis band—formed by Yoshimoto comedians who are expanding their activities across the country—many comedian stages are also planned.

Schedule	Sat, Sep 13–Mon, Sep 15, 2025
place	Intex Osaka, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Website	http://www.koyabusonic.com/
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Miyama Music FestivalFri 9/12 – Mon 9/15, Kyoto Prefecture

imayo-music.jp

Schedule	Fri, Sep 12–Mon, Sep 15, 2025
place	Kyoto Prefecture, Nantan City, Miyama Town / multiple locations within the town
Website	https://imayo-music.jp/miyama/

Save The BirthdaySun, Sep 7 – Shiga Prefecture

savethebirthday.com

Save The Birthday is a charity festival held every year in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Because it’s a charity event, admission and parking are free, making it easy to attend. However, there are donation activities at the venue, so it would be great if you could donate in proportion to how much you enjoyed the event and use the energy you received from the music to help others.

Schedule	Sunday, September 7, 2025
place	Kojinyama Park Sports Facilities, Outdoor Special Stage, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture
Website	https://savethebirthday.com/
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