Wabi-Sabi space: a bouquet of Japanese culture
From rock concerts to samurai battles and even wedding ceremonies, let's take a look back at Wabi-Sabi's guests this year.
Live music! Dance shows, swordsplay !
Clash today's culture with Japanese tradition!
Japan Promotion and its Wabi Sabi space are putting a cherry blossom program for the 4 days of the festival!
Japan Expo is consecutively complemented by a panel of Japanese artists, showcasing the diversity and richness of their country's culture, and celebrating Japanese history with a breath of fresh air
FEATURING...
Ai Hisano :
From advertising to video game themes, singer-songwriter Ai Hisano once again brings her voice to the Japan Expo stage.
She made a name for herself last year with a cover of the Demon Slayer theme song, and her hit song Tsuchizakura (from the dating sim Otoko Yuukaku on PS Vita).
Back for Japan Expo 2025, she's ready to give her all in pure J-rock concerts that never fail to set the crowd ablaze!
AKARA :
After setting the crowds on fire at Japan Expo in previous years, AKARA is back for a rock concert like no other!
Indeed, the whole arsenal of a rock band is there, except that in addition to electric guitars, AKARA has instruments up their sleeves, including the strings of their koto.
This band is not afraid to use a range of traditional Japanese instruments to create a new iteration of rock'n'roll: J-trad rock!
Dai Sorano x D.C :
This musical trio performs a unique musical style, incorporating elements of Japanese folk songs and fusing them with pop-rock rhythms. Dai Sorano, in addition to playing the acoustic guitar like a shamisen, is a vocalist.
His high-pitched voice seeks to add sensitivity and mysticism to their music. Dai Sorano's incantation-like vocals not only appeal to a Japanese audience, but are exported worldwide.
Noriko Tadano :
An adept of the tsugaru shimasen, artist Noriko TADANO draws you into frenetic rhythms played on this traditional instrument. To highlight the high, fast notes of this instrument, she mixes it with more modern styles, such as rock, jazz and blues!
Wabi Sabi let the steel do the talking!
Discover a multitude of samurai shows! Non-verbal choreography that'll make you feel like you're in a real chanbara!
From dance to martial arts and drama, Japan Expo stages become a battlefield for katana wielders.
- BUSÔKENMASYÛ KATSURUGI: This troupe combines dance performances with re-enactments of warrior battles! Without uttering a word, the samurai of Busôkenmaisyu Yatsurugi will never cease to amaze you with the elegance of their blades.
WACCHA :
We're talking about WACCHA, a beatboxer who's capable in a cappella, covering music from video games, animes and popular Japanese songs on his YouTube channel.
Returning to Japan Expo this year, this kendo-savvy artist accompanies the sword dance with musical onomatopoeia made directly with his mouth, recorded then arranged on the spot!
Nipponese hip-hop at its finest!
KIMONOxDANCE PROJECT:
KIMONOxDANCE offers dance performances in a wide variety of styles, including Latin, hip-hop and ballet. Their show is enhanced by their outfits, made from recycled kimonos!
SAKURA Mai 〜B i To Wa :
These nuptials are wrapped in an outfit that are slick and made out of silk! Sakura Mai is a team of kimono stylists specializing in large-scale ceremonies. From weddings to more fantastical performances, Sakura Mai rolls out the red carpet and kimonos at Japan Expo.
WAKO〜Rising Sun〜:
WAKO〜Rising Sun〜 keeps the mighty taiko drumming on festival stages. The troupe tours the world. Their motto “From the Land of the Rising Sun with the Soul of Japan”, symbolizing their desire to share Japanese culture and traditions with their audiences.
SENJU BUYODAN:
Experience the thrill of Kabuki!
SENJU is a group of professional Japanese dancers who have amazed the world with their performances.
On the Japan Expo stage, they present the Kabuki dance Shishimono (lion dance) and the performance danced in Kyoto's zashiki.
Starnite Dance Studio :
Star Night Group is one of Chiba's leading dance clubs. As well as offering classes, their studio hosts pole dance artists who perform all over the world.
Come and see MAI and ERI demonstrate their artistic pole dancing skills, and you'll be amazed at their physical prowess!