43rd Kobe Jazz Street 2026

Why You Should Visit

Kobe's autumn jazz festival, held since 1982 and now in its 43rd year. For two days, nine venues stretching from Sankita Square by Sannomiya Station up Kitano-zaka — a hotel ballroom, a church, long-running jazz clubs — become stages, and a one-day pass lets you hop between the paid venues. At 11:00 both days a parade sets off from Sankita Square and winds up Kitano-zaka; Sankita Square itself is a free venue, so you can catch the music in passing. The pre-party is a dinner show at a Harborland hotel. The programme leans toward traditional swing, with leading Japanese musicians on the bill.

Essentials

location

9 venues around Sannomiya, Kitano and Tor Road (Chuo, Kobe)

period

October 10, 2026 (Sat) - October 11, 2026 (Sun)

Time

12:00–17:00 (parade starts 11:00 both days) / Pre-party Fri Oct 9, 19:00–21:30 (doors 18:00)

cost

Advance: 1-day ¥4,500 / 2-day ¥9,000. Door: 1-day ¥5,000 / 2-day ¥10,000. High school students and under free (pick up a free pass at the HQ on the day with student ID). Sankita Square and the free stage south of HQ are free. Pre-party sold separately (¥17,500 with 1-day pass / ¥21,000 with 2-day pass, tax incl.)

Links

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

On foot from Sannomiya Station (all lines). Sankita Square is just north of Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya's east exit; the Kitano venues are a 10–15 min walk up Kitano-zaka from Sannomiya

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

Advance tickets: Kobe Concert Association (078-805-6351), Kobe Bunka Hall Playguide (078-351-3349), Yamaha Music Kobe (078-391-7654), Kobe International House Playguide (078-230-3300), Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, Suntory Bar Henry (078-391-2689), New Suntory 5 (Osaka, 06-6312-8912), Hotel Kitano Plaza Rokkoso, Jazzlive&Restaurant SONE and Great Blue. Door tickets: Hotel Kitano Plaza Rokkoso, SONE, Club Gessekai, Great Blue, Sankita Square and the free stage south of HQ. No refunds except for cancellation by the organizer. The pre-party is reservation-only: book by phone (078-381-5036, 10:00–19:00) or online with The Marcus Square Kobe.

NOTE

Venues

Sankita Square (free venue, parade start)
Hotel Kitano Plaza Rokkoso
Kobe Baptist Church
India Club
Kobe Kitano Nosta
Jazz Live & Restaurant Sone
Kobe Women's University Education Center
Club Gessekai
Great Blue
Free stage south of HQ (free venue, south side of Mediceo)

Parade

Departs Sankita Square (north of Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya east exit) at 11:00 on both Oct 10 and 11, heading up Kitano-zaka
The fire department band joins on Oct 10 only
Cancelled in rain

Pre-party: JAZZ NIGHT SPECIAL

Fri Oct 9, 19:00–21:30 (doors 18:00)
Venue: The Marcus Square Kobe Ballroom, 5F Kobe Marriott Hotel
Live show with dinner
Performers: Eiji Hanaoka (cl) / Yoshihiko Miyazaki (cl) / Takeshi Goto (tb) / Maaya Kawahara (tp) / Linkston (sax) / Emiri Kato (sax) / Ken Aoki (bj) / Kazu Sakuma (g) / Taku Yamamoto (p) / Ken Kawase (p) / Masato Kobayashi (b) / Kenichi Igeta (tub) / Nobumasa Uotani (bs) / Hiroshi Fujita (ds) / Takeshi Takeuchi (ds) / Junko Ishii (vo) / Yuka Yamazoe (vo)
Bands: Mon Dieu / Clap Stomp Swingin'
MC: Eiji Hanaoka / Teiko Wakamiya

Main-day line-up and timetable

The official site is being rebuilt; performers and venue timetables will be posted there once ready
Clarinettist Eiji Kitamura is considering appearing, health permitting (not confirmed at this point)

※Inquiries: Kobe Jazz Street Executive Committee office, 080-3864-2011 (weekdays 9:00–17:00)

※Details are subject to change.

FAQ

Can I listen without a ticket?

Sankita Square and the free stage south of HQ are free venues. The parade leaving Sankita Square at 11:00 on both days can also be watched without a ticket. The other venues require a 1-day or 2-day pass.

Does one ticket cover all the venues?

Yes. The 1-day and 2-day passes are valid at all paid venues, and hopping between the Sannomiya, Kitano and Tor Road venues is how the festival is meant to be enjoyed.

What happens if it rains?

The parade is cancelled in rain. The paid venues are all indoors, so performances go ahead. For the outdoor Sankita Square, check the official social media on the day.

Can children attend?

Yes. High school students and under enter free; junior and senior high students pick up a free pass at the HQ on the day with student ID. Elementary-age and younger children enter without a pass when accompanied by a guardian. Most venues are seated live shows, so it suits children old enough to listen quietly.

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