Patrick Balfe

For performers and punters alike, Tokyo has a rare combination of quantity and quality when it comes to live music venues. Great sound? Attentive crowds? Finished in time to catch the last train home? Check, check, check. Across the city, there’s a more than healthy mix of sticky-floored punk bars, intimate indie venues, hushed folk joints and stalwart metal institutions catering to, collaborating with and upholding their local communities. What they all have in common is their focus on the music. Compact and intimate, Tokyo’s independent ‘live houses’ are a place to take in the performance rather than drink 10 beers and yell over it. From the staff behind the scenes to the enthusiastic fan at the front of the stage, the band on stage is front of mind.  Once the gig is over, chances are you’ll have time to head out and explore the neighbourhood, grab some food and still make the last train.  With countless venues to choose from, you don’t have to go far to find your new favourite haunt. So check out some of ours below, then head out, buy a drink and support the local community. RECOMMENDED: Best record stores with bars in Tokyo

It’s been a huge year for Australian electro-pop outfit Confidence Man. After releasing their third album, 3AM (La La La), in October 2024, they have toured the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US, including a DJ set at Coachella’s Do LaB stage. Now, following the release of the remix album 5 AM (La La La), they’re heading to Japan. Ahead of their appearance at Fuji Rock, we caught up with vocalists Janet Planet and Sugar Bones to hear more about what they’ve been up to and what to expect from their set. 3AM (La La La) is your first album since moving to London in May 2023. How has the move influenced your writing? Janet Planet: Being exposed to the music culture here [in the UK] definitely shaped it. Even touring here a few years ago, I remember seeing [British electronic duo] Orbital. I was like, ‘Who are these dudes?’ That was part of the reason we wanted to move here in the first place, hanging out with all these people doing amazing stuff that doesn’t really make sense in Australia. There’s not that connection to rave culture back home. Sugar Bones: Day-to-day life here [in London] is just so much more energised. There’s people everywhere and there’s just shit going on all the time. You can feel the energy that comes with that. Being in a big city gives you a boost, and that creeps into the music. The remix album 5AM (La La La), which came out in mid-April, has remixes from American artists like Fcukers and Australian artists like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. What influe

Kairyo-yu is a modern bathhouse located about a 20-minute walk from Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Compared to older establishments, its whole vibe is very sleek and minimalist – think moody, dim lighting that softly reflects from the ceiling with the movement of the water below. The bathing area has a 40-degree bath, a moderate 35-degree bath, a cold plunge and a sauna. The hotter bath comfortably fits around 5 people, or more depending on how cozy you’re happy to get. It has two jet massage chairs in the corner, which are pretty moderate in power but add a touch of variety to your soak. The adjacent 35-degree bath is filled with carbonated spring water, which is said to promote circulation, aid exercise recovery and tighten skin. The men’s side features a 90-degree convection sauna that automatically steams every 20 minutes. The women’s side has a Kelo sauna that’s said to offer a milder, more aromatic sauna experience. Kairyo-yu occasionally holds special events such as women’s days or men’s days, where you’re able to use both sides of the bathhouse and experience both saunas. The relaxation area has a variety of drinks as well as sento and sauna merch available for purchase. Credit card payments accepted.

Daikoku-yu epitomises Showa-era (1926–1989) neighbourhood bathhouses. Its walls are lined with old photos of celebrities, random oil paintings, baseball merch and other knick-knacks the affable owner has picked up over the years. Said owner is also more than happy to provide an unprompted tour of the facilities. Inside the bathroom, a mosaic mural depicts a European landscape, which he tells us was ‘very trendy and new’ when it was first completed over 40 years ago. The men’s shower wall features a painting of Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Temple; the women’s side is decorated with images of Nikko. Below the artwork, the men’s bathing area has 20 hot-water sitting showers, a few standing showers and three baths. The hot bath features a few jet-massage seats, and its 45-degree temperature is a good indicator of the kind of seasoned pros who frequent the establishment. On one side of that, there’s an 18-degree bath; on the other, a mist room housing a 40-degree bath with a fairly strong electric current on one half. Exiting the bathing area through the locker room and lounge (replete with ancient dumbbells and aerobics equipment), you’ll find the sauna area. The sauna room is split into two chambers. The rock stove is in the slightly larger room, which was well over 100 degrees on our visit, according to the thermometer. The slightly smaller room fits around 8 people comfortably and stays at around 80 degrees. Outside the sauna room, there’s a deep one-person cold plunge and a wider cold b

Australian indie rock artist Courtney Barnett is heading to Japan for a run of shows this June with an appearance at Shibuya’s Spotify O-East. The visit is in support of her latest full-length album, Creature of Habit, her first since the closure of her indie label Milk! Records and a relocation to Los Angeles. The upcoming shows will be Barnett’s first in the country since her 2019 album tour and Fuji Rock set, at which she performed to a packed-out White Stage of devoted and saturated fans. The new album has been touted as one of her most introspective yet, and it features a guest appearance by Waxahatchee on the lead single ‘Site Unseen’. In addition to the Tokyo show, Barnett will be heading to Nagoya on Tuesday June 16, and Osaka on Thursday June 18.

Neo soul outfit んoon are celebrating the release of their new album Zoo at Ebisu’s Liquidroom this June. Now 12 years into their career, んoon developed a name for themselves with EPs Freeway, Body and Jargon, catching the attention of fellow genre-pushing artists like Hakushi Hasegawa. The latest release, only their second full-length effort, cements their status as one of the country’s most inventive acts, mixing elements of jazz, soul, rock and electronica across nine tracks that merit multiple listens. The upcoming show precedes their appearance at this year’s Fuji Rock, their first in seven years since they debuted on the Rookie A Go-Go stage in 2019. The Zoo Fantástica album tour will also make its way to Nagoya on June 11 and Osaka on June 12.

Post-rock quartet Cinema Staff are putting on a party that looks like a dream for fans of Japanese alternative rock, emo, math rock, indie and shoegaze. The line-up traverses nearly 20 years of underground music culture, bringing together multiple generations of artists from legendary bands of the early ’00s to newer acts defining the current scene.  Cinema Staff, who recently wrapped up a national tour for their latest album Plastic Youth, are perhaps best known for their singles ‘Great Escape’ and ‘Name of Love’, both ending tracks for the anime series Attack on Titan. They’re joined by The Cabs, another legendary act in local heavy music circles, who reformed last year after a 12-year hiatus and dropped a new single recently, much to the delight of long-time fans. Younger bands on the bill include Texas 300, who have earned a name for themselves since the release of their debut single ‘Uma Ga Suki’ in 2022, as well as Yubiori and Anorak.

Tokyo gets a new summer festival this July in the form of Future Frequencies Festival, a collaboration between local music promoters Beatink and artist Daito Manabe. The two-day event includes performances from big-name local and international acts, including London’s Joy Orbison, recently reformed electronic outfit The Sabres of Paradise and delightfully weird jazz-funk duo Knower. The event will also see appearances by Kassa Overall and Hakushi Hasegawa, plus a collaborative set from electronic artist, producer and DJ Nosaj Thing and Daito Manabe.  In addition to the live performances, of which more are set to be announced in the coming weeks, the event will also feature exhibitions, panel discussions and workshops. One- and two-day tickets are available; they’re on sale as of May 22 and are likely to sell out.

Shinjuku Loft, one of the city’s most legendary live music venues, is making its 50th trip around the sun this year and is hosting a series of shows to celebrate. As part of the milestone, Loft is teaming up with its sister venue Shimokitazawa Shelter to present Pool Side on June 3, featuring Kyoto post-rock quartet Tricot, heavy rock outfit Yubiori and indie artist Yasue Dangerous Ojisan (YDO) performing with a full band. All bands have strong ties to the Loft Project network of venues, with Tricot having performed numerous Shelter anniversary events and YDO organising a series of gigs across both venues last year. Both Yubiori and YDO had album releases last year and, with the announcement of a new management team and label, fans are speculating about potential new Tricot releases around the corner. Bring your appetite: Eeyan Curry will be providing food for the evening. Advance ticket purchases for overseas customers are available via Eplus.

Billboard Japan and Spotify are teaming up to spotlight women artists this June with a mixed bill featuring some very big names. Billed in alphabetical order, the line-up features J-pop foursome Atarashii Gakko!, Okinawan rapper Awich, alternative rock duo Hitsujibungaku and hip-hop artist Lana, all of whom have been at the forefront of their respective scenes for the past several years. Awich will be performing off the back of a November album release entitled Okinawan Wuman, executive-produced by Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and featuring guest appearances from some familiar names, including RZA, ASAP Ferg and Joey Badass.  The other artists on the bill have been keeping busy, too. Hitsujibungaku released a new single this May and have performances slated for Liquidroom’s 22nd anniversary and Summer Sonic in the coming months. Lana is currently in the midst of a national tour with 11 shows sold out on the current leg, and two final performances recently announced for Yoyogi National Gymnasium in August.  Atarashii Gakko! are not to be outdone with a recent single release and 18 shows currently booked for the rest of the year, including appearances at Lollapalooza in Berlin, an 11th anniversary show in London, Bumbershoot in Seattle and Primavera Sound in Brazil.  Needless to say, tickets won’t last long for this one. General advance sales start on May 23 on Ticket Pia, Eplus and Lawson Ticket. 

Sparks and Cornelius will take the stage together at the new SGC Hall in Ariake this May as part of the venue’s opening celebrations. Sparks, which features brothers Russel and Ron Mael, have evaded categorisation for the better part of 60 years. They’re widely referred to as your favourite band’s favourite band, and their fingerprints are all over popular tracks from early electronic artists like New Order to rock and pop stalwarts like the Smiths, the Ramones and Björk. Sparks have a long history with Japan, and this will be their second visit to the country in as many years since the release of their 2025 UK No 2 album MAD! – the duo’s 26th. Co-headlining the performance will be Cornelius, a mainstay of Japan’s indie and experimental scene since the late ’80s. He has made no secret of his appreciation for Sparks, having remixed two of the latter’s tracks last year, and has hinted at a special tribute to the band during his performance on May 5.

Tokyo indie outfit DYGL are hosting a special two-venue event in Shimokitazawa. After quickly selling out the Tokyo edition of their self-produced April event Crossing 2026, they’ve put together a (somewhat belated) after-party featuring a stacked line-up of local indie artists and DJs, including themselves, Luby Sparks, Sagosaid, Dogo and more. The band have been busy of late, completing tours of Japan and China last year for their album Who’s in the House?, and releasing two singles earlier this year. The event will be held across neighbouring venues Basement Bar and Three, and more artists are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The newly opened SGC Hall in Ariake will host an Avengers-level meeting of the minds between neo-soul outfit Hiatus Kaiyote and jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy in May. Sure to feature more polyrhythms than you can shake a stick at, the special double hander is part of a broader series of programming from Blue Note Tokyo, also set to feature Boz Scaggs and Sadao Watanabe over three nights. Hiatus Kaiyote will be following up on regular headline appearances in the country since the release of their 2024 album Love Heat Cheat Code. For Snarky Puppy, who released a live collaboration largely written in Japan with Metropole Orkest late last year, this will be their first non-festival appearance here in a while.

Californian alt metal outfit Deftones will play their first Japanese headline shows in 15 years this May. The upcoming tour is in support of their latest album Private Music, which earned the band a Grammy nomination and is their first to feature touring bassist Fred Sablan. Deftones have been coming to Japan since the late ’90s and have built a consistently loyal audience here, but since 2011, their appearances in the country have been limited to festivals like Ozzfest and Knotfest. Now, with a new record under their belts, one considered by many to be among their best, the long wait is over for Japan-based fans.

Hello June, hello yet another month of quality live events in Tokyo. Music fans can look forward to a diverse line-up this time, with our selection of the most punt-worthy gigs featuring heavy-hitters of the capital’s rock scene, an envelope-pushing neo-soul group and a certain Australian indie icon. Photo: SuppliedYubiori     Loft 50th Anniversary: Pool Side – Tricot, Yubiori, Yasue Dangerous Ojisan Shinjuku Loft, June 3 One of the city’s most legendary live music venues is making its 50th trip around the sun this year and is hosting a series of shows to celebrate. As part of the milestone, Shinjuku’s Loft is teaming up with its sister venue Shimokitazawa Shelter to present Pool Side, featuring Kyoto post-rock quartet Tricot, heavy rock outfit Yubiori and indie artist Yasue Dangerous Ojisan (YDO) performing with a full band. Bring your appetite: Eeyan Curry will be providing food for the evening.   Photo: Spotify PressHitsujibungaku     Women In Music – Equal Stage SGC Hall Ariake, June 9 Billboard Japan and Spotify are teaming up to spotlight women artists with an eclectic bill featuring some very big names, including J-pop foursome Atarashii Gakko!, Okinawan rapper Awich, alternative rock duo Hitsujibungaku and hip-hop artist Lana. Awich is the one to watch: she just opened for Wu-Tang Clan in Yokohama in late May and is flying high following November album Okinawan Wuman, executive-produced by Wu-Tang’s RZA and featuring guest appearances from some familiar names, inc

Gamers and horror movie buffs alike are gearing up for the release of one of this summer’s most interesting-looking Japanese flicks: Exit 8, the film adaptation of the cult indie game The Exit 8. The original game, released in May 2023, quickly developed a huge following. Transcending language barriers with its use of psychological tension and the liminal space aesthetic, it’s since received millions of downloads globally as well as numerous awards, and spawned a genre of ‘Exit 8-likes’. For the uninitiated, here’s a quick intro. In The Exit 8, players must navigate their way through a seemingly endless Tokyo subway corridor, spotting ‘anomalies’ along the way. As the rules of the game state, ‘Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you see an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, continue forward. Only leave through Exit 8.’ Armed with a simple premise and minimalist gameplay, the game has enthralled a legion of fans for its ability to incite paranoia, claustrophobia and introspection. Its creator, the enigmatic Kotake Create, has since gone on to become a freelance developer and produce a popular sequel entitled Platform 8. Typically straying from public attention, Kotake Create has remained fairly stoic about his success, but has admitted that he’s happy his idea has pioneered a genre. The film adaptation has already garnered rave reviews from critics. Screened to a sold-out crowd of 2,300 during the Cannes Festival’s coveted Midnight Screening programme

Bicycles are everywhere in Tokyo, but how to make the city truly bike-friendly remains a matter of often heated debate. Constructive or not, part of the conversation has long revolved around tougher penalties on unsafe biking – and that’s exactly what all of Japan will be getting from next year. The country’s new fine system for minor cycling infractions will take effect from April 1 2026. The introduction of this ‘blue ticket’ system was originally approved last October, when the national government announced revisions to the road traffic law. Seeing red Those changes, which went into effect in November, essentially introduced criminal penalties for violations such as riding under the influence of alcohol and using a mobile phone while cycling, classifying these as ‘red ticket’ offences. Previously, only 20 such specified offences existed for major criminal violations, such as higher-level intoxication while cycling. There were no specific penalties for lesser infractions, and most incidents resulted in warnings. As we reported last year, following the November 2024 revisions, general mobile phone use while cycling can now result in up to six months imprisonment or a ¥100,000 fine. Causing an accident as a result of using a mobile phone while cycling can result in up to one year in prison or a fine of ¥300,000. Similarly, cycling under the influence (with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 milligram per litre or more) can now result in jail time and up to ¥500,000 in fi

With just under five weeks until next month’s festivals kick off in Tokyo and Osaka, the Summer Sonic 2025 timetables are here. As we’ve come to expect from the organisers at Creativeman, this year’s line-up is a mixed bag of pop, rock, electronic and hip hop, with a healthy dose of nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Despite a shaky start to international performer bookings, over 150 artists are now confirmed for both cities (if you count those appearing at Tokyo’s Sonicmania), and we’ve been given plenty of time to organise ourselves. So, let’s take a look at this year’s Tokyo timetable – and pack a couple of bottles of Aquarius – as we plan for a sweaty weekend in Chiba next month. Day 1 – Saturday August 16 Saturday kicks off with South Korean boy band Kickflip on the Pacific Stage at 10.30am and J-Pop group Sixtones opening the Marine Stage at 11am. Around the same time, this year’s showcase performance winners, Docka and Suiheisen, will open the Sonic and Spotify stages, respectively. Photo: Summer Sonic FestivalLiSA Over at the Mountain Stage, Nagoya rock duo Kuroyume will get things going at 11.30am, shortly before LiSA – who anime fans know from Demon Slayer and Sword Art Online – heads to Marine Stage around midday. Pop artist Juju is programming Saturday’s Beach Stage this year, which opens with Osaka’s Pushim at 1.55pm. The same stage also features performances from New York alternative hip hop pioneers Digable Planets and multi-hyphenate artist Common later i

The wait is over: Fuji Rock Festival organisers have published the official timetable for 2025. The announcement comes after a big two weeks of final line-up drops for each of the four major stages: Green Stage, Red Marquee, White Stage, and Field of Heaven. Also announced today was the introduction of the brand-new Orange Echo stage and this year’s Rookie A Go Go showcasing artists. With 12 stages and over 200 acts performing, including headliners like Fred Again, Tatsuro Yamashita, Haim and Vampire Weekend, there was bound to be a handful of clashes for eager festival-goers – but it looks like organisers have tried to mitigate some of the worst overlaps this year. Photo: Fuji Rock FestivalTatsuro Yamashita The Pyramid Garden Yoga workshop will be kicking off the festival at 8.30am on Friday, with Finnish five-piece US opening the Green Stage at 11am. Conversely, for anyone looking to start the day with a manic bang, Kyoto’s Otoboke Beaver will be opening the White Stage at 12.10pm, and Ecca Vandal will follow them up on the same stage shortly after. Photo: Fuji Rock FestivalOtoboke Beaver Tokyo-based hardcore outfit Brahman will take to the Green Stage from 3pm, with Ichiko Aoba performing at the Red Marquee from 4pm. Headlining the Green Stage on Friday night are Vaundy at 7pm and Fred Again at 9.10pm. Photo: Fuji Rock FestivalVaundy Heading up the Red Marquee and White stages on Friday night are OK GO, Suchmos, Perfume Genius and Tycho. Hiroko Yamamura will be closi

It’s safe to say that Japan is a pretty hot destination right now. The country enjoyed a record-breaking first quarter for inbound tourism, with a whopping 3.5 million foreign travellers recorded in March alone – makes sense since we think we saw at least 90 percent of those tourists across Tokyo’s sakura spots just a few weeks ago. To meet surging demand, driven in no small part by the Osaka Expo and expected to result in a total figure of 40.2 million visitors in 2025 – a 9-percent increase from last year – airlines are ramping up flight services between Japan and both the US and Europe. Japanese carriers ANA and JAL, along with Alaska Airlines and British Airways, are among those increasing their passenger offerings. Photo: Tango Tsuttie/UnsplashAn undated stock photo of a Japan Airlines flight JAL is making significant increases to its routes in North America and Asia. Additional services will include those between Tokyo Narita and Chicago O’Hare airports from late May. Last operated in March 2023, this route will complement the daily services already running between Chicago O’Hare and Haneda. Further west, JAL will increase its San Diego to Narita flights from four weekly to daily. Notably, JAL is also introducing two new Airbus A350-1000s, which will debut on the Haneda–Paris route in May and the Haneda–Los Angeles route in summer. Photo: Teddy Leung/DreamstimeStock photo of Haneda Airport Over at ANA, three new Haneda–Europe routes have been added since December. T