Mito International Music Festival 2026 General Ticket Sales Begin: A Festival of Music and Travel Across Five Areas of Central Ibaraki, Commemorating 30 Years Since Toru Takemitsu's Passing

The Mito International Music Festival Executive Committee has announced that general ticket sales for the "Mito International Music Festival 2026," scheduled to be held from October 16 to 25, 2026, will commence on July 3, 2026. For 10 days, music will leap "beyond the concert hall" to diverse locations across Ibaraki, including shrines, gardens, seaside areas, and historical architecture, with these very places serving as the stages. Experience the intersection of region and music as you travel through Mito, Kasama, Oarai, Hitachinaka, and Naka.

Twelve director's programs will unfold in iconic spaces across Ibaraki, such as the Mito Civic Hall, Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History, Kiuchi Brewery, Tokiwa Shrine, Kairakuen Garden, Sagawa Bunko, Mito Sōraku Hall, Oarai Isosaki Shrine, Sakunami Isosaki Shrine, Besshunkan, Kodokan, and Kasama Inari Shrine.

Mito International Music Festival 2026 Teaser Video - A World of 10 Days Where Music and Travel Intersect -

About Mito International Music Festival 2026

The Mito International Music Festival 2026 is an international music festival that will take place across five areas in the central Ibaraki region (Mito, Kasama, Oarai, Hitachinaka, and Naka). By using venues such as shrines, gardens, seaside areas, and historical buildings, and by touring these locations while staying in the region, you can enjoy programs that integrate music and local experiences.

Approximately 80 minutes from Tokyo by limited express train. Five uniquely charming areas spread across the central Ibaraki region will serve as the stages for the Mito International Music Festival 2026.

Featured Performances (Mito Civic Hall, Kairakuen Garden, Sagawa Bunko, Oarai Isosaki Shrine, Kodokan)

Special performances will be presented at major venues, symbolizing the Mito International Music Festival 2026.

Oct 16 Opening Performance - Mito Civic Hall "In Memory of Toru Takemitsu" - Commemorating 30 Years Since Toru Takemitsu's Passing

This special performance marks the opening of the festival. Shedding light on the music and philosophy of composer Toru Takemitsu, who passed away 30 years ago, artists active at the forefront of contemporary music performance, both domestically and internationally, will gather to pay their respects and express their gratitude to Takemitsu.

https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/1580/

Oct 17, 18 Outdoor Performance at Kairakuen Garden "Stardust Path and Soundscape Garden"

Amidst the fantastical nature of Kairakuen Garden at night, participants will move through the grounds under the direction and composition of Kaito Nakabori, encountering different music at various points, transforming the entire garden into a single musical work. Gagaku will be performed at the observation plaza.

https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/1591/

Oct 18 Piano Recital at Sagawa Bunko Aki Takahashi "Silences and Memories of Sound"

Pianist Aki Takahashi, who has led the way in Japanese contemporary music for over half a century, presents a recital tracing her journey and musical philosophy. In the serene space of Sagawa Bunko, the memories of Aki Takahashi and the composers will quietly intersect.

https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/1598/

Oct 20, 21 Outdoor Performance at Oarai Isosaki Shrine "Drifting - To the Sea, To the Voice -"

An outdoor performance where music and voice blend into the landscape, set against the backdrop of Oarai Isosaki Shrine and its surrounding coastal area. A sonic pilgrimage that uses the land of Oarai itself as a stage, where classical music, gagaku, and readings intersect.

https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/1621/

Oct 23, 24 Outdoor Performance at Kodokan "Resonating Chamber - Five Echoing Breaths -"

An outdoor performance where music resonates with the architecture itself, set within the historical space of Kodokan, which was originally established as a center of learning for the Mito Domain. On a late autumn evening, the breaths of a shakuhachi quintet will overlap with the memories of the academy, creating resonance within the layers of time.

https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/1629/

In addition to the above, the Mito International Music Festival 2026 will feature a variety of programs in different locations. For details, please refer to the official program list.

Program List Here https://mito-musicfestival.jp/program/

About Tickets

The Mito International Music Festival offers several ticket options to suit your viewing style. You can choose from "Performance Tickets" for individual concert purchases, "Festival Passports" that allow you to enjoy multiple programs across the festival, and "Music + Sightseeing Tour Tickets" that combine performances with local tours, among other diverse participation methods.

Please enjoy the music festival in your own style, according to how you wish to encounter music and spend your time.

Online Ticket Sales (Peatix): https://mito-musicfestival.peatix.com/events

Music + Sightseeing Tour Ticket Sales: https://kantetsu-bustour.com/mimf2026/

Telephone Sales: 080-9564-1737

Email Sales: info@mito-musicfestival.jp

Festival Passport

Gold Pass 45,000 yen This is the top-tier pass, allowing you to experience almost all aspects of the music festival. Grants admission to all performances. Advance reservation is required for some venues (Kairakuen Garden / Sakunami Isosaki Shrine / Oarai Isosaki Shrine / Kodokan / Kiuchi Brewery / Besshunkan).

Silver Pass 20,000 yen A pass that allows you to broadly enjoy the festival, focusing on major performances. Admission is possible for the Mito Civic Hall opening performance and Sagawa Bunko performance, with advance reservation required for some venues.

Single Tickets

Single Ticket Type I (Kairakuen Garden) Ticket A (Entry at 17:30): 5,000 yen Ticket B (Entry at 17:45): 4,500 yen Ticket C (Entry at 18:00): 4,000 yen

*Entry time slots are available (common for both days)

Single Ticket Type II (Mito Civic Hall, Oarai Isosaki Shrine, Kodokan) 4,000 yen

Single Ticket Type III (Museum of History, Kiuchi Brewery, Tokiwa Shrine, Sagawa Bunko, Sōraku Hall, Sakunami Isosaki Shrine, Besshunkan, Kasama Inari Shrine) 3,500 yen

Workshop Single Tickets Gagaku Workshop / Shakuhachi Workshop: 1,000 yen

Student Ticket (All performances) 1,500 yen (Student ID required)

Future Schedule

July 3, 2026 General Ticket Sales Begin July 3, 2026 Official "Music + Sightseeing Bus Tour" Sales Begin July 13, 2026 Mito International Music Festival 2026 Reception Party Held July 13, 2026 Festival Market and Publicly Solicited Artist Project Announcement

Late July onwards: Announcement of pre-events, master classes, and related events October 16-25, 2026 Mito International Music Festival 2026 Held (Total 10 days)

The Mito International Music Festival 2026 will continue to announce a variety of projects aimed at creating new encounters and showcasing the charm of the region through music. We look forward to your continued support.

Contact Information

Organizers: Mito International Music Festival Executive Committee / Mito Music Studio General Incorporated Association Planning & Production: SONORA LLC

Mito International Music Festival Executive Committee Secretariat E-mail: info@mito-musicfestival.jp TEL: 080-9564-1737 Official Website: https://mito-musicfestival.jp