152 Programs Exhibited, 63 Speakers, 22 Partner Companies, 12,713 Attendees Gathered. "PODCAST EXPO 2026" Closes with Great Success, Creating a New Landscape for Domestic Podcasts Where Creators, Listeners, and Companies Interact Without Boundaries.
The largest domestic podcast event, "PODCAST EXPO 2026," held in Tokyo on May 9th and 10th, 2026, concluded with great success, attracting 12,713 visitors, far exceeding its target, and generating over 10,000 social media posts. The event marked a significant step in connecting podcasts from a 'personal hobby' to a 'culture as an industry.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 01:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 17:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 17:07 (5 min after Collected)
“PODCAST EXPO 2026” — May 9th (Sat) and 10th (Sun), 2026 Venue: HOME/WORK VILLAGE
For two days, May 9th (Saturday) and 10th (Sunday), 2026, the largest domestic podcast event, “PODCAST EXPO 2026,” was held for the first time in Setagaya (Ikejiri), Tokyo. During the period, the number of visitors greatly exceeded the target, and over 10,000 posts were made on social media, concluding with great success amidst the unique enthusiasm of podcasts.
During the event, podcasters, listeners, and industry professionals gathered, with three areas simultaneously developed across the school building and grounds: the free market “Podcast Weekend,” the paid conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” and the free exhibition. This marked the first step in connecting podcasts from a “personal hobby” to a “culture as an industry.”
The entrance before opening. Through the free market “Podcast Weekend” in the schoolyard, the paid conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT” in the gymnasium, and the corporate exhibition inside the school building, all aspects of play, learning, and business negotiations were established.
Highlight ① | Over 150 programs from across the country gathered. A market evolving from hobby to livelihood — Podcast Weekend 2026
Sales of program-related goods and interaction with podcasters. Interaction among podcasters and among listeners.
In the free market area “Podcast Weekend 2026,” over 150 podcasters from all over the country gathered in the schoolyard. It became a place for listeners and podcasters, who had previously mainly interacted online through podcasts, to meet face-to-face and interact, with sales of original goods for each program, autograph sessions, and photo sessions by podcasters.
Offerings aligned with livelihoods, not just simple sales, but the advancement of livelihoods through sharing stories.
Items sold included original goods such as keychains and apparel, as well as products and experiences aligned with livelihoods, such as writers selling books or farmers selling vegetables. The occurrence of many transactions and multiple booths selling out was a scene that gave a sense of podcasts establishing themselves not just as a personal hobby, but as an industry.
Impressions and memories from the venue were also shared individually on X, with 9,153 PODCAST EXPO-related posts on X and 4.37 million impressions recorded.
Highlight ② | Paid Conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT” where 63 creators intersected
In the paid area “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” held in the gymnasium, 24 sessions were held featuring frontline discussions related to podcasts. 63 creators and experts from various fields, including corporate executives, writers, artists, podcast producers, platform operators, and broadcasters, took the stage, conducting a total of 24 sessions.
The venue deliberately created a space where there was no barrier between the “stage side and audience side,” allowing attendees to experience a typical podcast recording.
Regarding these sessions, “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT Archive Streaming Tickets” are scheduled to be sold sequentially from Saturday, May 16th.
For those who purchased on-site tickets for “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” separate guidance will be provided. Please check your email.
Highlight ③ | Old school building becomes a “playground for audio experiences” — PODCAST EXPO: EXHIBITION
In the free exhibition area within the school building, experiential booths by 7 sponsoring companies were set up.
Photo spot recreating a Spotify video podcast appearance. Spotify gacha, available with SNS share, experienced by over 400 people.
Experience the latest equipment with professional staff support. Led to many purchases by podcasters.
Spotify “ONAIR Lounge”: The photo spot recreating a Spotify video podcast appearance had a continuous line of people for two days. The “Spotify Gacha,” where participants could win original Spotify goods, was very popular.
J-WAVE “Omiyu’s Favorite Collection Club supported by Nippon Kodo” (May 9th only): Public recording by Miyu Otani and a “fragrance” workshop by Nippon Kodo were held.
Zoom Corporation / Yamaha Music Japan: This became a focal point for experiencing the latest lineup of podcast recording equipment with the support of professional staff.
Tokyo Shoseki “Long time no see, Tokyo Shoseki.”: Programs “Oshaberi na Rika” (Chatty Science) and “Kokugo Kyo” (Japanese Language Education).
For two days, May 9th (Saturday) and 10th (Sunday), 2026, the largest domestic podcast event, “PODCAST EXPO 2026,” was held for the first time in Setagaya (Ikejiri), Tokyo. During the period, the number of visitors greatly exceeded the target, and over 10,000 posts were made on social media, concluding with great success amidst the unique enthusiasm of podcasts.
During the event, podcasters, listeners, and industry professionals gathered, with three areas simultaneously developed across the school building and grounds: the free market “Podcast Weekend,” the paid conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” and the free exhibition. This marked the first step in connecting podcasts from a “personal hobby” to a “culture as an industry.”
The entrance before opening. Through the free market “Podcast Weekend” in the schoolyard, the paid conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT” in the gymnasium, and the corporate exhibition inside the school building, all aspects of play, learning, and business negotiations were established.
Highlight ① | Over 150 programs from across the country gathered. A market evolving from hobby to livelihood — Podcast Weekend 2026
Sales of program-related goods and interaction with podcasters. Interaction among podcasters and among listeners.
In the free market area “Podcast Weekend 2026,” over 150 podcasters from all over the country gathered in the schoolyard. It became a place for listeners and podcasters, who had previously mainly interacted online through podcasts, to meet face-to-face and interact, with sales of original goods for each program, autograph sessions, and photo sessions by podcasters.
Offerings aligned with livelihoods, not just simple sales, but the advancement of livelihoods through sharing stories.
Items sold included original goods such as keychains and apparel, as well as products and experiences aligned with livelihoods, such as writers selling books or farmers selling vegetables. The occurrence of many transactions and multiple booths selling out was a scene that gave a sense of podcasts establishing themselves not just as a personal hobby, but as an industry.
Impressions and memories from the venue were also shared individually on X, with 9,153 PODCAST EXPO-related posts on X and 4.37 million impressions recorded.
Highlight ② | Paid Conference “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT” where 63 creators intersected
In the paid area “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” held in the gymnasium, 24 sessions were held featuring frontline discussions related to podcasts. 63 creators and experts from various fields, including corporate executives, writers, artists, podcast producers, platform operators, and broadcasters, took the stage, conducting a total of 24 sessions.
The venue deliberately created a space where there was no barrier between the “stage side and audience side,” allowing attendees to experience a typical podcast recording.
Regarding these sessions, “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT Archive Streaming Tickets” are scheduled to be sold sequentially from Saturday, May 16th.
For those who purchased on-site tickets for “P7 - PODCAST SUMMIT,” separate guidance will be provided. Please check your email.
Highlight ③ | Old school building becomes a “playground for audio experiences” — PODCAST EXPO: EXHIBITION
In the free exhibition area within the school building, experiential booths by 7 sponsoring companies were set up.
Photo spot recreating a Spotify video podcast appearance. Spotify gacha, available with SNS share, experienced by over 400 people.
Experience the latest equipment with professional staff support. Led to many purchases by podcasters.
Spotify “ONAIR Lounge”: The photo spot recreating a Spotify video podcast appearance had a continuous line of people for two days. The “Spotify Gacha,” where participants could win original Spotify goods, was very popular.
J-WAVE “Omiyu’s Favorite Collection Club supported by Nippon Kodo” (May 9th only): Public recording by Miyu Otani and a “fragrance” workshop by Nippon Kodo were held.
Zoom Corporation / Yamaha Music Japan: This became a focal point for experiencing the latest lineup of podcast recording equipment with the support of professional staff.
Tokyo Shoseki “Long time no see, Tokyo Shoseki.”: Programs “Oshaberi na Rika” (Chatty Science) and “Kokugo Kyo” (Japanese Language Education).