NU Festival 2026: A 3-Day Event Where the City Becomes a Venue for Music and Art at Stations, Saunas, and Gardens

NU Festival 2026

From June 26 (Fri) to 28 (Sun), the streets and stations will become one venue. The largest cultural hub in Japan, 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY' and 'Takanawa Gateway Station' will be the stages for the inaugural urban festival 'NU Festival,' co-sponsored by JR East.

The entire city, which JR East positions as an 'experimental site for enriching lives 100 years from now,' will be wrapped in music and art for these special three days.

Visitors can explore various cutting-edge spots in 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,' experience the latest music and art at the complex cultural facility 'MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives' (hereinafter referred to as MoN Takanawa), and sway to DJ music in station concourses and station plazas.

Under the concept of Next (next) × New (new) × Unity (co-creation and harmony), the entire city will be transformed into an experiential space for music and art.

The highly anticipated timetable has been released. Tickets are selling well!

Additionally, a pre-party will also be held on Friday night at 'WOMB' in Shibuya.

https://nufestival.jp/

From the much-anticipated first visit to world premiere live performances. Experience the cutting-edge music 'NU Live' that can only be experienced here.

'NU Live,' which collaborates with the international festival 'Sónar (Sonar)' from Spain. At 'LINKPILLAR Hall' in the TAKANAWA GATEWAY Convention Center, legends who have led the electronic music scene, important figures in the contemporary scene, and the new generation that is renewing youth culture will gather.

Grandbrothers, who incorporate their own devices to draw out sounds from the piano that cannot be produced by human fingers alone, will make their long-awaited debut in Japan.

The living legend of the synthesizer world, Suzanne Ciani, and the UK electronic music prodigy Actress will collaborate for the first time. The sensational work with 4-channel sound that has caused a frenzy at Barcelona's 'Sonar' and London's 'Barbican Centre' will finally make its Tokyo debut.

William Basinski, a master of ambient music, will perform using the grand piano 'Shigeru Kawai SK-5' in a world premiere performance.

Two Shell, who are unknown but have garnered worldwide attention, will come to Japan and showcase their innovative sound that symbolizes contemporary UK club culture.

In addition, representatives of Japan such as media artist Daisuke Matsumoto and hip-hop legend DJ KRUSH will gather. With high-quality sound systems and lighting, and a revolutionary center stage, they will invite visitors to an unprecedented experience.

Programs that allow you to immerse yourself in 'listening to sound' by lying down in an ultimate surround space, such as 'dublab.jp presents OTOJU SESSIONS,' and healing experiences such as 'Sound Bath,' where you surrender your entire body to the vibrations of sound, will also appear.

The participation of the hidden bar 'Akai Heya' in Minami-Aoyama has also been decided. A special space where music and people are loosely connected with a natural wine in hand will be created.

NU Live｜Suzanne Ciani × Actress

Perform with brainwaves!? 'AI and Art Cross at 'NU Art'

At the experimental museum of culture 'MoN Takanawa,' you can experience the latest technology and art at 'NU Art.'

In the creative space 'Box300,' Albert.DATA, who attracts attention with a live device where what you think turns into images and sound on the spot, and others such as Fumi Nagai, who designs VR experiences like hallucinogens, will hold exhibitions, live performances, and talk sessions curated by artist/AI researcher Naoki Tokui in collaboration with 'Sonar+D.'

In the tatami space 'Tatami' of about 100 tatami mats, under the curation of the legendary cultural space 'SuperDeluxe,' various programs such as collaborations between ikebana and music, talks, and performances that fuse painting and performance by Akiko Nakayama will be held. A space for art that you can see, listen to, and experience will spread.

NU Art｜Albert.DATA

Enjoy DJs in a station space overlooking passing trains 'NU Station'

At the 'South Exit 3F Terrace' of Takanawa Gateway Station, 'NU Station' will be held in collaboration with J-WAVE (81.3FM). J-WAVE's music programs will curate DJs over three days, each from their own perspective.

DJ EMMA, KO KIMURA, Kotsu & Nari (CYK), Ryogo, FULLHOUSE (SAMO / TAKENOKO), SAKURA, and other DJs representing Japan will appear. The station, a place of daily life, will transform into a place overflowing with music.

NU Station

The station plaza becomes a dance floor 'NU Park'

At 'Gateway Park,' which spreads out in front of Takanawa Gateway Station, 'NU Park' will be held as a special version of 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY SPECIAL LIVE.'

Osamu Oosawa, RHYME, Shingo Nakamura, SATOSHI OTSUKI, and others will perform, featuring the latest mobility stage equipped with a 7-surface LED vision and sound system, and rotating kitchen cars.

The station plaza will transform into a festival venue filled with music, food, and people.

On the event day, those who use 'NEWoMan TAKANAWA' included in 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY' for 10,000 yen or more (tax included) will be eligible for priority entry to the premium area of 'NU Park' (the front row area of the latest mobility stage).

Limited to the first 70 people per day who use 10,000 yen or more (tax included) at the target stores. ■ One person is eligible for the benefit per 10,000 yen (tax included) used. Receipts used on the same day can be combined. ■ Please present your receipt at the information tent in Gateway Park and receive your wristband.

NU Park

Sauna, Sky Garden. Enjoy the city as a whole 'NU Connect'

In the program 'NU Connect' that connects the city and the festival, a collaboration between 'Takanawa SAUNAS' and 'LUFTBAUM 28F Midori no Ni' in 'NEWoMan TAKANAWA' will be realized.

At 'Takanawa SAUNAS,' an urban retreat facility equipped with various sauna rooms and nap spaces, a collaborative event by Chee Shimizu and Kaoru Inoue will be held from 20:00 to 2:00 on June 27 (Sat). You can enjoy music while going back and forth between the festival and the sauna and relaxing.

NU Connect × TAKANAWA SAUNAS

Date and Time: June 27 (Sat) 20:00-2:00

Venue: NEWoMan TAKANAWA North 5F Takanawa SAUNAS

Fee: Free (You can participate with only the admission fee to Takanawa SAUNAS)

Performer: Chee Shimi