52nd Summer Vacation Concert 2026
The summer holiday concerts were started in 1975 with the desire to allow children hearing classical music for the first time to listen to a real orchestra with their families. Those who were children at the time now bring their own children, and three generations attend together, making these concerts loved by a wide range of generations.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's founding, and all of us are looking forward to spending this special summer with you all.
Whether you're coming for the first time or have been here many times, we will perform with all our hearts so that this day will be etched in your memory as a cherished summer memory.
【Schedule】
| Date | Start time (TBD) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| On 7 /18 (Saturday) | 14:00 | Chiba Prefectural Cultural Center |
| 7 / 19 (day) | 14:00 | Fuchunomori Arts Theater |
| 7/20 (Monday / holiday) | ①13:00 / ②17:00 | Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre |
| 7 / 22 (Wed) | 14:00 | Suginami Public Hall* |
| 7 / 24 (gold) | ①12:00 / ②15:30 | Suntory Hall |
| On 7 /25 (Saturday) | 14:00 | Sonic City (Omiya) |
| 7 / 26 (day) | ①12:00 / ②15:30 | Yokohama Minatomirai Hall |
| 7 / 29 (Wed) | 14:00 | ROHM Theater Kyoto |
| On 8 /1 (Saturday) | ①12:00 / ②15:30 | Suntory Hall |
| 8 / 2 (day) | ①13:00 / ②17:00 | Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre |
| 8 / 3 (month) | ①12:00 / ②15:30 | Yokohama Minatomirai Hall |
More details on the show here
https://japanphil.or.jp/concert/?p_genre=summer-vacation-concert
【Performer】
Conductor: Junichi Hirokami [Friend of the JPO (Artistic Advisor)] (July 18-26)
Ryuichiro Sonoda (July 29-August 3)
Story and song: Yoko Ehara
Ballet: Star Dancers Ballet Company
Ballet choreography and direction: Minoru Suzuki
He studied piano and composition under Atsutada Otaka, and learned music and how to play music. He graduated from the conducting department of the Tokyo College of Music, and at the age of 26, he won the Kirill Kondrashin International Young Conductors Competition.
He has held numerous posts in European and American orchestras, including the Nordschuppen Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. He has also made guest appearances with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. In Japan, he served as the Permanent Conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra for 14 years until 2022, ushering in a golden age for the orchestra. He is currently the Artistic Leader of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Music Director of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Friend of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (Artistic Advisor), Friendship Conductor of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, and Director of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra.
Junichi Hirokami of the City Symphony Orchestra. He is also passionate about educational activities as a professor of conducting at the Tokyo College of Music. He received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize in 2024 (75th).
He made his debut in 2006, conducting "Tosca" at the Chigiana Summer Music Week in Siena. The following year, he made his Japanese debut conducting "La Bohème" with the Fujiwara Opera Company. That summer, he conducted "The Voyage to Reims" at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, as well as concerts with the Orchestra della Toscana in Florence and the Orchestra di Bellini di Catania. He has since performed in operas and collaborated with orchestras both in Japan and abroad. He studied under Masako Endo, Kotaro Sato, James Lockhart, Gianluigi Gelmetti, and Alberto Zedda. He received the 16th Goto Memorial Culture Award for New Opera Artists in 05, the 16th Saito Hideo Memorial Fund Award in 17, and the 73rd Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists in 4. He is currently the conductor of the Pacific Philharmonia Tokyo. Artistic director of Fujisawa City Opera.
Graduated from the Vocal Music Department of Tokyo University of the Arts. She began piano at the age of four at the Public Foundation Solfeggio School, where she continued to learn the fundamentals of music, including solfege, composition, and chamber music. She studied vocal music under Masanori Nishihara and Toshiko Goto. While attending university, she was a regular on NHK's "Utatte Go" program as the "Singing Sister" for four years. Since 1991, she has sung and hosted the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's "Summer Vacation Concert." She also works as a classical concert navigator, hosting music appreciation classes and concerts with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. She also actively promotes welfare concerts to create a society where music is available to everyone, at any time, and normalizes the use of music, actively promoting concerts to preserve "beautiful Japanese songs." In addition to holding reading concerts under the theme of "A time for parent-child interaction through song," she also teaches choruses, provides singing instruction for Yamaha Music Foundation teaching materials, and teaches singing to instructors, among other activities. She is a professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and a lecturer at the Solfeggio School.
Founded in 1965 under the leadership of Ruriko Tachikawa, the company became the first Japanese ballet company to become an incorporated foundation in 1981. Since its founding, the company has focused on creating national ballets. While producing numerous original works by Japanese choreographers, it also actively promotes the work of outstanding international choreographers, maintaining a world-class repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary works, including Japan premieres. In addition to domestic performances, the company has also performed extensively overseas, including in Germany, China, and South Korea. In 2019, it performed the ballet "Dragon Quest" at JapanExpo in Paris, to critical acclaim. It also provides a wide range of opportunities for children to experience ballet through school tours and workshops. It also actively engages in social activities, including relaxing performances accessible to people with disabilities and dance programs for Parkinson's disease patients. The company will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025.
[Songs]
<Part 1> Welcome to the ball!
Tchaikovsky: Polonaise from the opera "Eugene Onegin"
JS Bach: Air on the G String
J. Strauss II: The Blue Danube
<Part XNUMX>
Tchaikovsky: Ballet "The Nutcracker" (Japan Philharmonic Summer Vacation Concert 2026 Edition)
<Part 3> Let's sing together
Everyone has a birthday
Hirotaka Nakagawa: Rainbow
100% courage
Ticket
| Metropolitan area performances | S | A | B | Release date |
| 【grown up】 | 5,800 | 4,800 | 3,800 | 4/23 (Thu) 10:00 |
| 【child】 | 3,800 | 2,800 | 2,000 | 4/23 (Thu) 10:00 |
| Kyoto Performance | A | B | Release date |
| Kyoto [Adult] | 4,200 | 3,200 | June 4th (Friday) 10:10 |
| Kyoto [Children] | 2,500 | 1,800 | June 4th (Friday) 10:10 |
*Only seats A and B are available for the Kyoto performance.
*Children: 4 years old to high school students
*Please prepare one ticket per person.
*Children under 4 years old are not allowed to enter.
※ All seats specified
*Prices and release dates for the Suginami Public Hall performance will be different. Tickets will not be sold by the Japan Philharmonic.
Please note that the performers and songs may be subject to change.
FAQ
How do I buy tickets?
You can purchase tickets at any time you like through internet sites such as Japan Philharmonic e-Ticket♪, Ticket Pia, e+, and Lawson Ticket. If you would like to carefully consider your seat, please call the Japan Philharmonic Service Center at 03-5378-5911 (please check the bottom of the page for business hours). We will provide you with advice. If you purchase tickets through the Japan Philharmonic and choose convenience store payment, you will receive a transfer slip a few days later. After we confirm the transfer, we will send you the tickets. Tickets can also be purchased at each performance venue. Please contact the venue for inquiries.
Where should I choose my seat?
If you sit near the stage on the first floor, you can see the expressions of the performers up close, and the sound of the orchestra is transmitted directly to you. If you want to feel the power of the performance, learn the techniques of the stringed instruments, or see the expressions up close, we recommend sitting at the front. If you sit a little further back, you can see the whole picture, and the music sounds cohesive and balanced.
From the front of the second floor seats, you can feel the reverberation of the hall and hear the music very well. Although it's a little far away, you can get a good view of the wind and percussion instruments.
Depending on the venue, you may not be able to see the piano or ballet directly from the balcony on the second floor (next to the stage), but you will feel very close to the performers. This seat is also recommended for children who are learning an instrument.
If your child wants to be a conductor, why not try the P seats (back of the stage) at Suntory Hall or Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall? They'll be able to get a good view of the interaction between the orchestra and the conductor.
When they are young, it might be good for them to sit in the back and enjoy the atmosphere of the venue, or to be able to enjoy the visuals up close. When they reach a more mature age, it's good to enjoy the whole experience in a place with a good musical balance. Choose a venue that suits your child.
What's the trick to getting kids who can't sit still to listen quietly at their first concert?
Summer concerts are usually attended by a lot of children, so even if you bring your children, you can relax and enjoy yourself. However, you may be worried about how your children will react.
It's okay! Mom and Dad should enjoy it first.
It's the first time you've seen an orchestra, shiny instruments, beautiful and loud sounds, and a huge hall. What kinds of instruments will be there? How many people will there be? It's a good idea to imagine all of this together with your child before the concert. It can be hard for children to be forced to not talk. If you can promise them to keep their voices low, it might be a good idea to whisper things like, "Those are big instruments," or "Which instrument would you like to try?"
You can try tapping your knees to keep time or secretly imitating the conductor. However, the best way to enjoy the concert is for adults to enjoy it! Children will surely be curious and wonder, "What's so interesting about this?" The many adults on stage are also competing seriously. They're working hard, wanting everyone to enjoy the music together. We hope you'll think that trying your hardest is cool. The summer vacation concert will also include a preparation CD. It will be a great success if you play it quietly as background music over and over, and it becomes familiar to your ears, and you think, "I've heard this song before!" But we want you to experience the power of a live performance with all your senses, which is completely different from listening to a CD or on TV at home! Please come without any worries.
How long before the concert should I arrive at the venue?
Doors for summer vacation concerts open 45 minutes before the concert starts. At every venue, there are many people waiting at the entrance when the doors open. Seats are assigned so it's not a problem to arrive at the last minute, but this is a concert hall that you don't usually visit. As soon as you step inside, you'll feel an exciting atmosphere that is different from your everyday life. If you arrive at the venue a little early, check your seat, and enjoy the atmosphere of the venue, your children will naturally become immersed in the concert. Some musicians are setting up on stage before the concert starts (a sight you won't see on TV!). It's also a good idea to look at the program, which includes explanations of the songs. The program is a guidebook for the concert that day. Imagine what kind of sounds will come out♪
Of course, don't forget to go to the toilet! (It often gets crowded just before the show starts, and once it starts you won't be able to return to your seat.)
What should I wear to a classical concert?
At a regular concert, you'll see people wearing all kinds of clothes. Dad might wear jeans and the kids might wear dresses! Basically, it's the same as going out on a regular basis, but it's best to avoid tank tops and sandals. But it's a concert, so it's fun to dress up a little.
I want to go to a concert, but my youngest child is under 3 years old. Is there a daycare center?
The Japan Philharmonic's summer vacation concert is a concert that can be enjoyed with children aged 4 and over. Children under 3 years old are not allowed to enter. However, if you have younger children, it can be difficult to arrange childcare. But don't worry!
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra works with a childcare company called "Mothers" to provide a service that takes good care of small children. "Mothers" services can be used at concerts hosted by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (with some exceptions), so it's recommended for those times when you want to relax and enjoy music with just the adults! Advance applications are required, so apply early.
Event Childcare® Mothers TEL: 0120-788-222 (Weekdays 10:00-17:00)
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
Childcare service contract company
Asuka Co., Ltd.
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Childcare Reservation Form
Phone number 0120-165-115
Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00-17:00
When making a reservation or inquiry, please state, "This is regarding childcare reservations at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre."
What kind of orchestra is the Japan Philharmonic?
Founded in 1956, the orchestra will be 70 years old in 2026! This year marks the 52nd summer vacation concert, which means that it has been going on since before my parents were born. It is a lively and kind orchestra that values interaction with everyone!
Please come and check it out at the venue!
Promises for everyone to enjoy listening together
1. During the performance, please refrain from talking loudly, kicking your cough in front of you, or walking around.
2. You cannot enter the hall during the performance. If you need to go to the toilet, please leave quietly and return to the hall with your caregiver.
3. Eating and drinking is only allowed in the lobby. It is not permitted inside the hall.
4. You may not take photos or videos of the performance.
5. Please turn off all devices that emit electrical noise, such as cell phones and alarms. This includes games!
