Top 5 Entertainment Events in Japan

November 11 2021

Japan is home to one of the world's most developed entertainment industries. Some of the most unique, most innovative entertainment events take place in Japan and many of these revolve around theater, music, and performing arts. Speaking of theater, three major traditional forms of theater are popular in the country: Bunraku, Kabuki, and Noh.

Noh originated in Japan in the late fourteenth century and it was introduced by Zeami and Kan’ami. Bunraku is a form of puppet theater that, like kabuki, has its origins in the 1600's. Today, these traditional performing arts and classical entertainment events attract visitors from all over Asia, so we start this top five entertainment events in Japan list with performing arts.

Though now some 400 years old, kabuki remains popular with Japanese and tourists alike.

Though now some 400 years old, kabuki remains popular with Japanese and tourists alike.

  1. Performing Arts Festival

    Scheduled for the 4th of December 2021, the Japanese Performing Arts Festival is one of the major entertainment events set to return. The Performing Arts Festival allows all visitors to immerse themselves in amazing Japanese culture for a whole day. During the festival, various dancing and theater groups showcase their best performance, and every single performance is inspired by rich Japanese culture and tradition. You may also be dancing with joy while gaming online as ここを参照してください.

  2. Live Entertainment Expo

    When discussing the biggest Japanese entertainment events, we have to mention the Live Entertainment Expo that is held in Tokyo every year. In 2021, the event was held from the 29th of June to the 1st of July. The Live Entertainment Expo is a B-to-B event for the live media and entertainment industry.

    Every year, the event brings together companies and businesses involved in various entertainment industries including amusement parks, theaters, and concert venues that want to showcase their latest products and services.

  3. AnimeJapan

    AnimeJapan is the biggest anime event in the world. This is a Japanese consumer show that attracts anime fans and enthusiasts from all over Japan. The very first AnimeJapan event was held back in March of 2014 at the Tokyo Big Sight center on Tokyo Bay.

    The event was created after the Anime Contents Expo and Tokyo International Anime Fair merged. In 2021, the event was held online due to the covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

  4. NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (New Year's Eve Event)

    The seventy-second edition of the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen or "Red and White Song Battle Event" is scheduled for the 31st of December 2021. The annual song contest is broadcast every New Year's Eve not only through Japan but also internationally by NHK General TV, NHK Radio 1, and NHK World Premium. The most popular male and female musicians in Japan join the program, taking part in two teams, Red and White. The program finishes with the audience and judges choosing the winning team. A national institution, the show has struggled over recent years to attract a younger audience.

  5. Sumo Spring Basho

    Last, but certainly not least, on this list is the biggest sumo wrestling event in Japan, the Sumo Spring Basho that is usually held in Osaka. Sumo wrestling is Japan's national sport and remains immensely popular, with all basho (grand sumo tournaments) visited by tens of thousands of fans over the course of two weeks. Every year, six basho are held, three in Tokyo and the rest usually in other major cities. In 2021, the Sumo Spring Basho, which is normally held at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, was moved to the capital due to covid, with all tournament bouts taking place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan from the 14th to 28th of March. The tournament was won by Terunofuji, the latest in a line of Mongolian rikishi (wrestlers) to dominate the sport.



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