Summer Music Festivals Held in Western Japan [2025–2026]

A flagship Japanese music festival that has been held since 2000. It features many renowned artists from both Japan and overseas and is an event that draws attention from around the world. A distinctive feature of Summer Sonic is that it’s an urban, touring-style festival. In addition to easy access, the lineups for the Tokyo and Osaka venues swap over the two days. So whichever venue you attend, if you go both days, you can see all the headliners.

This event is held under Toyota Ohashi Bridge with the idea of gathering various artists once again so that everyone can sing and dance together, just as the area beneath the bridge has long been a place for popular entertainment—kabuki, plays, street performances, sideshows—and for people to exchange information. Although it takes place in the somewhat unusual setting beneath a bridge, it may offer sights you don’t normally get to see.

Ever since it began in 1990, this Exisama has been held with free admission (by lottery application). The lineup has grown more star-studded each year, making it bigger and better. They also recruit opening acts, and it has come to serve as a springboard for artists.