18th Otsu Jazz Festival 2026｜10/3〜10/4 Access & Fees

Dates & time: October 3, 2026 (Sat) - October 4, 2026 (Sun) ・Sat 3 Oct: 12:00–20:00 (Omatsuri Hiroba from 15:00)
・Sun 4 Oct: 11:00–20:00
cost: Free (performers are paid through audience tips)
Venue & access: Omatsuri Hiroba at Nagisa Park and other venues around Otsu (Shiga) The main venue, Omatsuri Hiroba, is about 5 minutes' walk from Shimanoseki Station (Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto Line) or about 10 minutes from JR Otsu Station. Drivers should use public or coin car parks nearby.

There are 2 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Omatsuri Hiroba at Nagisa Park and other venues around Otsu (Shiga), and 1 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

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Why You Should Visit

A volunteer-run jazz festival that fills the Lake Biwa shore and the streets of Otsu with live music. It began in 2009 and this is its 18th edition. Besides the open-air main stage at Omatsuri Hiroba in Nagisa Park, bands play across venues such as Sky Plaza Hamaotsu and the Biwako Hotel over two days, so you can wander the town and drop in on sets as you go. Entry is free. On 3 October the literary fair Kotonoha Marché runs in the same park.

Programs

Timetable & Map

NOTE

Venues

Outdoor: Omatsuri Hiroba (main stage), Otsu Station Plaza, Symbol Green (4 Oct only)
Indoor: Sky Plaza (Studio 1, Studio 2, Hibiki), Biwako Hotel Rose room (guest venue on 3 Oct), Book Cafe Omiya
Each set is 40 minutes
On 4 Oct a sing-along of the Lake Biwa Rowing Song starts at 18:50, followed by the Grand Finale at 19:00

Rain

Otsu Station Plaza and Symbol Green are cancelled in rain
Omatsuri Hiroba has no indoor alternative and goes ahead unless the weather is severe

Same day

Kotonoha Marche 2026 (3 Oct, 10:00–15:00, Nagisa Park). On the morning of 3 Oct the Omatsuri Hiroba stage belongs to the marche

Support

A crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE is raising money for the Omatsuri Hiroba stage

※Timetable as of 21 September; subject to change

Music Jazz Free Cheap Date Solo Trip Events Festivals

出典: 大津ジャズフェスティバル公式ブログ（ゲスト情報・タイムスケジュール）

Kobe · Gluten-free

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FAQ

Is there an entry fee?

No, it is free. Performers are paid through audience tips, which may be collected at each venue.

Where can I find out who plays where?

The full timetable by venue, including guest acts, is on the official blog (as of 21 September). The printed pamphlet is still being prepared; its release will be announced on the festival's social media.

What happens if it rains?

Outdoor stages have no wet-weather alternative, but are only called off in severe weather. Several venues, such as Sky Plaza Hamaotsu and the Biwako Hotel, are indoors.