SAKURA POP 2026" Spring Grand Singing Contest to be Held on April 1, 2026, on "UTAO" Online Karaoke App Operated by Jankara! - Grand Prize of up to 300,000 Yen & Commemorative Neon Sign Awarded -

The online karaoke app "UTAO," supervised by Jankara, which operates 206 stores nationwide and boasts the largest scale in the karaoke industry in Western Japan, will host "SAKURA POP 2026," a large-scale spring singing contest themed around pop music (J-POP, K-POP, etc.).

This event is a contest where streamers active on UTAO pass through preliminaries to advance to the finals, competing in three divisions based on user categories. A winner and a special judge's award will be selected for each division, and the winners will receive a prize of up to 300,000 yen and a commemorative neon sign, the "UTAO Special Sakura Neon."

Furthermore, this year's competition also features a "New User Category," making it easier for those with limited experience in streaming on UTAO or without a fixed fanbase to participate.

We will deliver an exciting battle unique to UTAO, a vibrant spring stage where singing voices and individuality blossom.

Event Overview

・ Event Name: SAKURA POP 2026

・ Platform: Online Karaoke App "UTAO"

・ Divisions: New/General Streamer Division / Bronze/Silver Streamer Division / Gold Streamer and above Division

・ Schedule:

Preliminary Period: April 1, 2026 (Wed) 12:00 PM 〜 April 12, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 PM

Preliminary Results Announcement: Scheduled for April 17, 2026 (Fri)

Final Period: April 19, 2026 (Sun) 0:00 AM 〜 April 29, 2026 (Wed) 11:59 PM

*The final period varies by division.

Final Results Announcement: Scheduled for May 8, 2026 (Fri)

・ Format: (Preliminaries) Recording and posting singing videos / (Finals) Live streaming of singing performances

For details on judging methods and rules, please refer to the special page below.

▶ Special Page: https://site.karasta.net/contests/UTAO_SAKURA_POP

How to Participate

Record a singing video (face optional) within the "UTAO" app and post it with the following hashtags.

・Posting Hashtags: "#SAKURA POP 2026", "#SAKURA POP 2026新人戦" (Newcomer Battle)

・Application Deadline: Until April 12, 2026 (Sun) 11:59 PM

*Posting Hashtags: Those registered before September 30, 2025 (Tue) should use "#SAKURA POP 2026", and those registered on or after October 1, 2025 (Wed) should use "#SAKURA POP 2026新人戦".

*Please note that posts without hashtags will not be eligible for judging.

What is the online karaoke app "UTAO"?

Our karaoke chain "Jankara" was temporarily forced to close all stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst this, with the desire to "provide more accessible moments to enjoy singing" and "deliver an authentic karaoke experience anywhere," we developed the online karaoke app "UTAO."

After its beta release in April 2023, it underwent continuous improvements and was officially released on August 29, 2023. Furthermore, on August 19, 2024, we acquired the karaoke app "KARASTA," and on February 5, 2025, it was reborn as an online karaoke app leveraging the strengths of both applications.

This app, which allows users to "enjoy high-quality karaoke," "post songs and share them via live streaming," and "listen to and interact with everyone's songs," is widely supported by users who deeply love singing.

For more details and to download the "UTAO" app, click here:

▶ https://utao.jp

Jankara Overview

Since starting its karaoke business in 1990, Jankara has expanded its operations by being accepted by customers through offering all-you-can-sing, all-you-can-drink, and clear pricing.

We offer unique concept rooms and new stores with entire store concepts not found in other companies. We also have open counters and BAL UTAO where customers can communicate with each other in open spaces, not just private rooms. Currently, we operate over 200 stores nationwide as the largest karaoke chain in Western Japan.

In recent years, we have been promoting DX (Digital Transformation), and to pursue highly convenient services, we were the first in the industry to introduce unmanned reception and payment machines in all stores.

Furthermore, we have equipped our official app with "Sugukara," an industry-first function that allows booking, reception, and payment all with a single smartphone.

In addition, we have introduced food and drink ordering functions and song selection functions, realizing a next-generation karaoke experience where everything can be completed within the app.

While constantly creating new value, as an "AI-native company" that promotes the company-wide strategy "To→AI" (towards the AI era), embodied by our company name TOAI, we will continue to challenge ourselves to realize a karaoke space that customers have never experienced before.

TOAI Co., Ltd. Overview

Company Name: TOAI Co., Ltd.

Representative Director and President: Motoki Higashihara

Established: June 17, 1986

TOAI Co., Ltd. Corporate Site: https://www.toai.co.jp/

Jankara Service Site: https://jankara.ne.jp/

Business Overview: We operate entertainment businesses centered on "Jankara," the largest karaoke chain in Western Japan.

Leveraging the know-how and abundant resources cultivated in the karaoke business, we continue to create new and exciting experiences for our customers. Currently, in addition to the karaoke business, we are expanding a wide range of services including online karaoke apps, women-only fitness, shopping proxy services, virtual restaurants (8 business types, over 200 stores), hot spring facilities, restaurants, trunk rooms, and self-service flower shops.

Moving forward, we plan to boldly challenge new businesses to foster managerial talent and build a dynamic business portfolio.

Online Karaoke App "UTAO": https://utao.jp/

Shopping Proxy App "HELP!": https://help-solutions.jp/

Women-only Body Make Studio "PORT": https://port-fitness.jp/

Hot Spring Facility "Yukainoyu": https://yukainoyu.jp/

Authentic Italian Restaurant "Le NAPOLI": https://tl-corp.co.jp/lenapoli/

Indoor Trunk Room "Smart Box": https://www.sbox-ss.com/

Self-Service Flower Shop "kleine geluk": https://jankara.ne.jp/kleinegeluk/

Multi-purpose Entertainment Facility "ENTERTAINMENT HUB KYOTO": https://entertainment-hub-kyoto.com/

Our group's vision is to provide amazing experiences (impressive customer experiences) to customers worldwide, and we will continue to evolve for smiles.