Winter Music Festivals in Eastern Japan [2025–2026]

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.

Have you ever been to a winter music festival?

Festivals are often associated with summer, but there are plenty of exciting ones held in winter too.

Here’s a roundup of winter festivals in eastern Japan that you won’t want to miss—even in the colder months.

Tokyo Metropolis

Bukkurock! Festival TokyoSun, Feb 8, Tokyo Metropolis

Schedule	Sunday, February 8, 2026
place	Ota City, Tokyo, Zepp Haneda

Memeta: The World FestivalSun, 2/22, Tokyo, Japan

MemeFes is a circuit-style music event hosted by the band Memeta. The great thing about circuit events is that, beyond seeing your favorite bands, you can discover new artists, visit a variety of live venues, and enjoy new connections among fans. With that wish in mind, the lineup of artists gathered is something to look forward to. Big venues are impressive and powerful, but we also recommend the unique closeness between artists and audiences that only live houses can offer. Throughout the event, messages from fans easily reach the artists, making for performances with a strong sense of unity.

Schedule	Sunday, February 22, 2026
place	Shinjuku LOFT / LOFT BAR / Marble, Shinjuku, Tokyo
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Tenkaichi BudokanTue, Feb 24, Tokyo

tenkaichi-budokan.com

Schedule	Tuesday, February 24, 2026
place	Nippon Budokan, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Website	https://tenkaichi-budokan.com/

Chiba Prefecture

COUNTDOWN JAPANSat 12/27 – Wed 12/31, Chiba Prefecture

countdownjapan.jp

As its name suggests, the festival called COUNTDOWN JAPAN traditionally features a countdown at the end of the year. Spanning four days, the festival hosts many remarkably star-studded artists befitting the close of the year. In addition, during the first sunrise of the new year, The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” is played.

Schedule	Sat, Dec 27–Wed, Dec 31, 2025
place	Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture
Website	http://countdownjapan.jp
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rockin’on sonicSun, 1/4 (Chiba Prefecture)

Schedule	Sunday, January 4, 2026
place	Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture
Website	https://rockinonsonic.com/
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GMO SONICJan 17 (Sat) – 18 (Sun), Chiba Prefecture

This is a large-scale music event organized by internet services company GMO and event planning/production firm Creativeman. It features GMO’s catchphrase, “No.

We will also launch 'No.1 Services' from Japan at this event.

Aiming to become a top-tier music festival, it also boasts an appealing concept. The lineup features buzzworthy artists active across a range of genres, from dance music to rock—not only from Japan but also special guests from overseas. It looks set to be a special time where, while in Japan, you can feel as if you’re at an international event.