The 3rd Japan International Art Festival will be held at the Pop-up Stage South at the Osaka Kansai Expo Venue

Held at the Pop-up Stage South at the 2025 World Expo Venue, Japan

At the South Pop-up Stage of the 2025 Japan World Expo, four stages will be held over three days from July 2nd (Wed) to July 4th (Fri) as the main venue event of the "Japan International Art Festival" organized by the Yumeshima New Industry and Urban Creation Organization: "Japan International Art Festival in EXPO 2025 ~KAGURA~", "Expo Concerto of World Cultures: KURAGE Band Special ~Connecting Local Performing Arts, Songs of Life and STEAM~", "Japan International Art Festival in EXPO 2025 ~Exploring the Beauty of Japan with Ginkenshibu~" and "Japan International Art Festival ~Masa-ya EXPO 2025~".
We have prepared a fascinating and wonderful stage for you to enjoy.

*An Osaka, Kansai Expo admission ticket is required to enter the venue.
Purchase tickets here ( Osaka-Kansai Expo ticket purchase site )

Japan International Art Festival in EXPO 2025 ~KAGURA~

[Date] July 2, 2025 (Wednesday) 12:00-16:20
[Performers] Akiota Town Matsubara Kagura Troupe, Hongo Kagura Troupe, Kawakita Kagura Troupe, and others [Summary] Kagura is a form of performing art that includes traditional Japanese dance and music, and is dedicated to Shinto festivals and ceremonies. Based on myths and legends, performers wear gorgeous costumes and Kagura masks and dance to the accompaniment of drums and flutes. It has been performed since ancient times to express gratitude and prayers to the gods, and unique styles have developed in each region. Nowadays, it is often performed at festivals and events, and is a beloved symbol of local culture.

Akiota Town Kagura Council Official Website https://akiota-kagura.com/

World Culture Expo Concert: KURAGE Band Special

[Date] July 2, 2025 (Wednesday) 19:15 – 20:15
[Performer] Sachiko Nakajima (piano)
Choi Jaecheol (Korean drummer Changgo)
Ablainjai Rose (Senegalese drum djembe, sabaar, talking drum)
Takefumi Kobayashi (drums), others [Summary] Led by Sachiko Nakajima (piano), a producer of the Expo theme project, the KURAGE Band is characterized by connecting music from Japan, Korea, Senegal, Cameroon, and other countries, and creating new culture through the concert of diverse cultures and characteristics. Ultimately, like a local "festival" born with people of all ages and backgrounds, the land, the sea, rivers, and forests, we value the music and sounds in our lives that we create together with many people, going beyond the top and bottom of the stage. This time, we will also explore collaborations with musicians from various countries that we will meet at the Expo. Please enjoy this live performance of the five senses, which combines physical expression and technology to connect the future and the past (tradition), and the concert of diverse cultures.

KURAGE BAND Official Websitehttps ://steam21.com/kurage_band/

Japan International Art Festival in EXPO 2025 ~Exploring the beauty of Japan through Ginkenshibu~

[Date] Thursday, July 3, 2025 11:00–14:00 / 16:00–19:00 *Japan Day [Performer] Japan Ginkenshibu Promotion Association [Summary] Japanese beauty and the spirit of the samurai (samurai) are two things that have remained unchanged since ancient times in Japan and are still treasured today. This time, you will enjoy these things through the traditional arts of "gin'ei (songs)" and "kenshibu (dance)." It is a simple yet profound art that can be learned by anyone, regardless of age or gender, whether Japanese or foreign. We hope you enjoy it.

Japan Ginkenshibu Promotion Association, a public interest incorporated foundationhttps ://www.ginken.or.jp/

Japan International Art Festival ~Masaya EXPO 2025~

[Date] Friday, July 4, 2025, doors open at 17:30, performance begins at 18:00 [Performers] Kenichi Masamoto x Wadaiko Masaya [Summary] An original on-stage performance of "Kenichi Masamoto x Wadaiko Masaya" will be held, combining the traditional Japanese instrument of the wadaiko with world folk music such as the folk instruments of the Andes of South America (quena, zampoña, etc.) and the keyboard percussion instrument (marimba) born in Africa and raised in America, to convey the charm and potential of the wadaiko, which can be fused with the strength of the wadaiko and multiple genres. In addition, a workshop will be held where you can actually touch the wadaiko, starting with simple basic rhythms and ending with a rhythm ensemble with multiple people, providing a place where you can experience the fun of touching the instrument and feel a sense of accomplishment. We are also considering other plans that will allow you to experience the charm of the wadaiko, a traditional Japanese instrument.

Wadaiko Masaya official website https://wadaiko-masaya.com/

For more information about each event, please see the EVENT▶Pop-up Stage and individual event articles on the website of the 3rd Japan International Art Festival.

Japan International Art Festival

Organized by the Yumeshima New Industry and Urban Creation Organization (abbreviated as Yumeshima Organization), the mission is "Co-creation of Art, Design, Science, Technology and Economy - Communicating the Beauty and Spirit of Japan to the World and Creating the Future", and will be held for the same period of six months as the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will see the participation of 158 countries and regions and seven international organizations, through a network that covers the Expo site, Kyoto, Kansai and the whole country. We will contribute to the creation of a virtuous cycle of culture, art, and the economy and society, and a well-being future where life shines.

Please come and visit the 3rd Japan International Art Festival, an international art festival being held on the occasion of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The 3rd Japan International Art Festival Official Website