>>Purchase "NU Festival 2026" tickets here
From June 26 (Fri) to 28 (Sun), 2026, the new urban music festival “NU Festival 2026” will debut at Takanawa Gateway City in Tokyo.Created in collaboration with Sónar — the globally acclaimed music, creativity, and technology festival founded in Barcelona in 1994 — the event aims to establish itself as one of the world’s premier festivals at the intersection of music, art, and innovation.
Located directly adjacent to Takanawa Gateway Station on the JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines, Takanawa Gateway City is envisioned as a “living laboratory for lifestyles 100 years into the future.”
Covering an area approximately the size of two Tokyo Domes, the district brings together offices, retail, restaurants, residences, hotels, a large-scale convention hall, and a cultural complex dedicated to art and entertainment.
Designed as a next-generation smart city, the project incorporates sustainable urban development targeting near-zero CO2 emissions alongside advanced mobility infrastructure powered by an urban operating system.
With its forward-thinking vision of culture, technology, and human connection converging to shape new experiences, Takanawa Gateway City provides the perfect setting for the debut edition of this Tokyo-based urban festival.
Guided by the concept of “Next × New × Unity,” the entire district will be reimagined as an immersive playground of music, art, and cutting-edge creativity.
What is the music festival "Sónar"?
Since its launch in Barcelona in 1994, Sónar has become one of the world’s leading festivals at the intersection of electronic music, art, and technology.Renowned for blending live performances and DJ sets with conferences, exhibitions, and emerging technologies, the festival offers an immersive cultural experience that pushes the boundaries of music and creativity.
Beyond its flagship event in Barcelona, Sónar has hosted international editions in more than 20 countries around the world. “NU Festival 2026” at Takanawa Gateway City marks the latest chapter in this global expansion.
Artists from around the world gather to deliver experimental performances under high-quality sound and lighting.
Bringing together artists from across the globe, the festival will showcase experimental performances spanning ambient, electronic music, bass music, and hip hop, as well as live sets incorporating modular synthesizers and cutting-edge hardware.Enhanced by a state-of-the-art sound system, immersive lighting design, and an innovative center-stage format, the event promises a next-level audiovisual experience.
Photo Credit：NU FES
Four different themed stages and content will appear at Takanawa Gateway City
Across the three-day event, Takanawa Gateway City will transform into a citywide festival space featuring stages and experiences curated around four unique concepts.In addition to the ticketed flagship programs “NU Live” and “NU Art (*)”, visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of free performances, installations, and cultural programs throughout the district — creating an immersive celebration of music, art, and technology.※Free admission on Friday, June 26.
■ NU Live
At the heart of the festival, “LINKPILLAR Hall” within the TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center will become “NU Live,” the primary stage for live acts and DJ performances curated in collaboration with Sónar.
Combining cutting-edge sound, immersive lighting production, and a groundbreaking center-stage setup, the space is designed to create a deeply immersive experience unlike anything previously seen in Tokyo.
Saturday, June 27 will bring together an exceptional lineup including Actress, one of the UK’s most influential electronic artists; Grandbrothers, set to make their Japan debut with a unique fusion of classical piano and electronic music; and Nathan Fake, whose immersive live sets have earned him global acclaim within the electronic music scene.
Also joining the program is pioneering Japanese artist DJ Krush, whose influence on hip hop and electronic music continues to resonate worldwide. Meitei will bring his deeply atmospheric sound inspired by Japanese aesthetics and folklore, while Sapphire Slows showcases her signature blend of old-school and contemporary electronic sounds.The lineup is further expanded by Guangzhou-based DJ／producer COLA REN.
Sunday, June 28 will feature the debut collaborative performance between Actress and legendary synthesist Suzanne Ciani. Meanwhile, acclaimed ambient composer William Basinski will unveil a world-premiere performance centered around the Shigeru Kawai SK-5 grand piano.The program will also include Two Shell, the mysterious electronic duo that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Also appearing are Daito Manabe, one of Japan’s foremost media artists; MINNA-NO-KIMOCHI, the boundary-pushing collective shaping contemporary youth culture in Japan; Sakura Tsuruta, whose immersive and emotionally rich sound has earned international recognition; and Kyomi, celebrated for experimental sets that transcend genre conventions.
Furthermore, the venue will host a special listening room produced by dublab.jp, the Japanese branch of the Los Angeles-based non-profit online radio platform dublab.
The space will feature premium carpeting provided by Oshima Pros alongside “OTOJU,” a custom sound system jointly developed by Audio-Technica’s media platform “Always Listening,” sound design studio WHITELIGHT, and the director of dublab.jp.
Designed as a deeply immersive listening environment, the installation invites visitors to lie down within a rich surround-sound space, encouraging relaxation, sensory immersion, and a deeper connection to sound.
On Sunday, June 28, the program will feature a special listening session dedicated to “Rokudai = Chisui Kafu Kuu Shiki,” the rare electronic music work created by the late Japanese jazz pianist Masaharu Kikuchi. The session will also include a talk by Masaaki Hara, who contributed to the project’s reissue. Closing the program, Shhhhh and Nick Luscombe will present a special selection inspired by the sonic world of “Rokudai.”
Furthermore, the Sound Bath experience by sound artist HIKO KONAMI will combine sonic vibrations and resonant frequencies designed to recalibrate both body and mind, accompanied by visual works from contemporary artist Ousmane Bâ. More than simple relaxation, the experience invites participants into a meditative space of heightened sensory awareness and deeper self-reflection.
■ NU Art (Partially free)
MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, a new cultural hub for creative expression and innovation that opened earlier this March, will host a series of programs exploring the intersection of technology, art, and music.
Events will take place across two contrasting spaces: the experimental creative environment “Box 300” and “Tatami,” an approximately 100-tatami-mat traditional Japanese room, offering visitors an immersive encounter with cutting-edge audiovisual culture.
Box300 / Photo: Yasuyuki TAKAKI
At “Box300,” the experimental creative space within MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, artist and AI researcher Naoki Tokui will curate a special program in collaboration with Sónar+D.
Featuring Japanese and international artists including Sputniko!, Yutaka Makino, and Ayumi Nagai, the program will combine installations, talks, and live performances that explore alternative perspectives on AI and its relationship with contemporary society.
Tatami / Photo: Yasuyuki TAKAKI
Within “Tatami,” the approximately 100-tatami-mat traditional Japanese space inside MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, legendary Tokyo cultural venue SuperDeluxe will curate a series of live performances and talks.
The program features artists including Technique & Picnic — a collaborative project between Namaiki and Keiji Ito — alongside Akiko Nakayama, Muddersten, Chihei Hatakeyama, Paracollider, Kazuo Imai & Atsuhiro Ito, and Phantom Masterpiece Liberation Alliance.
Friday, June 26th 12:00-18:00 / Free
June 27th (Sat) 12:00-18:00 / Paid
Sunday, June 28th 12:00-18:00 / Paid
■ NU Station (Free)
In collaboration with J-WAVE, “NU Station” will activate the 3rd-floor terrace located just outside the South Ticket Gate at Takanawa Gateway Station.
Takanawa Gateway Station, 3F Terrace outside the South Ticket Gate (Courtesy of JR East)
Inspired by the popular “EKINAKA DJ” series, the event takes place within the open-air station space designed by architect Kengo Kuma, where trains pass directly beneath the venue. Set against this uniquely urban backdrop, DJs from a wide range of musical backgrounds will deliver diverse soundscapes through programs curated in collaboration with J-WAVE’s popular shows.
On Friday, June 26, DJ EMMA and KO KIMURA will appear as part of TOKYO M.A.A.D SPIN, the podcast program spotlighting Tokyo’s diverse music and cultural scene.
Saturday, June 27 will feature performances by Kotsu & Nari of CYK alongside Ryogo, presented in collaboration with FLIP SIDE PLANET, a community-driven platform centered around a shared passion for music.
Closing the weekend on Sunday, June 28, FULLHOUSE (SAMO / TAKENOKO) and SAKURA will appear as part of TOKYO BEATS FOUNDATION, a program exploring Tokyo’s contemporary nightlife and emerging hip-hop culture.
■ NU Park (Free)
“NU Park” will take over “Gateway Park” in front of Takanawa Gateway Station, bringing live music and cultural programming to the heart of the district. The widely acclaimed “TAKANAWA GATEWAY SPECIAL LIVE,” originally presented as part of the TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY Grand Opening celebration, will also return for this year’s festival.
Photo: ：JR Higashinihon
At the station plaza just outside the ticket gates, DJs from Japan and abroad will gather to perform on a mobility stage built from a converted 12-foot shipping container.
Photo: ：AIDE INC.
On Friday, June 26, the program will feature Shinichi Osawa, a pioneering figure in the Japanese music scene, alongside Australian multidisciplinary artist RHYME — known as a poet, performer, DJ, and trackmaker.
Saturday, June 27 will welcome Shingo Nakamura, whose progressive house sound blends deep melodic textures with classical piano influences.
Closing out the program on Sunday, June 28, SATOSHI OTSUKI will transform the public plaza in front of the station into an open-air festival space.
NU Festival 2026
Date and Time:June 26, 2026 (Fri) 12:00-22:30
June 27, 2026 (Sat) 12:00-23:00
June 28, 2026 (Sun) 12:00-23:00
※Program times vary for each program.
Venue:
<NU Live> TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center LINKPILLAR Hall
<NU Art> MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives (Box300 / Tatami)
<NU Station> Takanawa Gateway Station, 3F Terrace outside the South Ticket Gate
<NU Park> Gateway Park in front of Takanawa Gateway Station
※On June 26th (Fri), a free admission program will be held at MoN Takanawa (Box300 / Tatami).
※Programs at Takanawa Gateway Station, 3F Terrace outside the South Ticket Gate, and Gateway Park are free for all three days.
Price:
1 Day (6/27) ¥9,000
1 Day (6/28) ¥9,000
2 Days (6/27 & 28) ¥15,000
1 Day Under 23 (6/27) ¥5,000
1 Day Under 23 (6/28) ¥5,000
>>Purchase tickets here
Performers:■ June 26 (Fri)
ALEXIS ANDRÉ (SONY CSL) × KKAA、AYUMI NAGAI、BROTH WORKS、DENTSU LAB TOKYO × QOSMO、DJ EMMA、KO KIMURA、NEUTONE / ROLAND、NEUTUNE × MIXAUDIO、RHYME、SHINICHI OSAWA、SPUTNIKO!、TECHNIQUE & PICNIC (NAMAIKI & KEIJI ITO)、YUTAKA MAKINO
■ Saturday, June 27th
100LD、ACTRESS、AKIE、AKIKO NAKAYAMA、ALEXIS ANDRÉ (SONY CSL) × KKAA、AYUMI NAGAI、CHIHEI HATAKEYAMA、CHLOÉ JULIETTE、CHRIS SSG、COLA REN、COMBOY、DENTSU LAB TOKYO × QOSMO、DJ EMERALD、DJ KRUSH、GRANDBROTHERS、HIKO・KONAMI、KEIGO TATSUMI、KOTSU (CYK)、MASAAKI HARA、MEITEI、MUDDERSTEN、NARI (CYK)、NATHAN FAKE、NEUTONE / ROLAND、NEUTUNE × MIXAUDIO、OUSMANE BÂ、PARACOLLIDER (TAKASHI MAKINO + CAL LYALL)、PORTRAIT XO、RYOGO、SAPPHIRE SLOWS、SAPPHIRE SLOWS + HARUKA HIRATA、SHINGO NAKAMURA、SHÖKA、SPUTNIKO!、TONTON、YUTAKA MAKINO
■ June 28th (Sunday)
100LDK、ACTRESS SUZANNE CIANI、ALBERT.DATA、ALEXIS ANDRÉ (SONY CSL) × KKAA、AYUMI NAGAI、COMBOY、DAITO MANABE、DENTSU LAB TOKYO × QOSMO、HIKO・KONAMI、KAZUO IMAI + ATSUHIRO ITO、KYOMI、MABOROSHI-NO-MEIBAN -KAIHO-DOMEI、MICHIYO YAGI、MINNA-NO-KIMOCHI DOWNTEMPO SET、MISOLA、NAO TOKUI、NEUTONE / ROLAND、NEUTUNE × MIXAUDIO、NICK LUSCOMBE、ONNACODOMO (VJ)、OUSMANE BÂ、PONPOKO YAMA、ROKUDAI SPECIAL LISTENING、SAKURA、SAKURA TSURUTA、SAMO (FULLHOUSE)、SATOSHI OTSUKI、SHHHHH、SPUTNIKO!、TAKENOKO (FULLHOUSE)、TWO SHELL、WILLIAM BASINSKI、YUTAKA MAKINO
Organizer: NU Festival Executive Committee
Supported by: J-WAVE
In cooperation with: Kawai Musical Instruments Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Official website:
https://nufestival.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/nu_fes_tokyo/
https://x.com/nu_fes_tokyo
Important Notes:
※If the predetermined number of tickets is reached, no tickets will be sold on the day of the event.
※ID check will be conducted upon entry. Please bring a photo ID.
※Entry is free for junior high school students and younger. However, this is only permitted with a guardian.
※Those who have purchased an Under 23 ticket will have their ID checked upon entry. If you are unable to present your ID, you will be required to pay the difference between the ticket price and the day-of-event price.
