- Dates & time
- October 11, 2026 (Sun) - October 12, 2026 (Mon) 10:00–18:00 (EAST and WEST STAGE); times at the bar and live-house venues vary
- cost
- Free to watch (food and drinks at bar venues are paid at each venue)
- Venue & access
- Three areas: Sakaihigashi, Tenjin and Mikunigaoka (main stages at Mina Sakai, in front of Sakai City Hall) About a 5-minute walk from the west exit of Sakaihigashi Station (Nankai Koya Line) to the EAST STAGE
There are 11 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Three areas: Sakaihigashi, Tenjin and Mikunigaoka (main stages at Mina Sakai, in front of Sakai City Hall), and 4 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.
Why You Should Visit
A two-day free live music festival that turns the plazas, live houses and bars around Sakaihigashi Station into blues venues — this is the 11th edition. Some 280 professional and amateur acts rotate across two outdoor stages in front of Sakai City Hall and bar venues in the Sakaihigashi, Tenjin and Mikunigaoka areas. Guests include Mitsuyoshi Azuma & Groovin' Mama, Shunsuke Kikuta and bands from Korea. Free loop buses link the areas, so it's easy to hop between venues with a drink in hand. The timetable on this page lists only the guest sets; times for all 280 acts are on the official website's timetable.
Programs
Timetable & Map
NOTE
Venues (16 venues in 3 areas)
- Sakaihigashi area: EAST STAGE (Mina Sakai, in front of Sakai City Hall), WEST STAGE by CAT MUSIC COLLEGE (Mina Sakai, in front of the government office building), Goith, Dining Bar Dort, BAR PICCOLO DUE, Live & Bar IMaGine, Live & Bar T-Clef, Hibino Beer, STAYHUNGRY Sakaihigashi, Tegetegeya (Oct 11 only)
- Tenjin area: House of Jazz, acoustic bar Gen
- Mikunigaoka area (Oct 12 only): Mikunigaoka FUZZ, NEXT51, CAUTION standing bar, Gillie's BAR
- Set times for all 280 acts across the 16 venues are on the official timetable
Free loop buses
- Tenjin route: 10:00–18:00, every 30 minutes (no 13:30 departure), from in front of the WEST STAGE
- Mikunigaoka route: Oct 12 only, 10:00–18:00, hourly, from in front of the Lawson next to Mikunigaoka FUZZ (Gillie's Bar stop is drop-off only)
- Performing musicians get priority when buses are full
Also
- Food & drink booths
- Sakai's pedicab taxi "Ciclo Porche" runs around the Sakaihigashi area
- Held rain or shine
Events
Where to go next
10/23 - 10/25
Czech Festival 2026 in Kansai
Mina Sakai (Sakai Citizens' Plaza, in front of Sakai City Hall)
10/10 - 10/12
Higashiosaka Kuidaore Matsuri (Food Festival)
Fountain Plaza, Hanazono Central Park (Higashiosaka)

10/10 - 10/12
Sekai Ennichi: A Festival Where Worlds Connect
Nakanoshima Park
10/11
Chidoribashi Autumn Bon Odori — Baika Bessekai Sai 2026
Baika-higashi Park, Konohana-ku, Osaka
10/11
Takatsuki Damashii!! 2026
Momozono Elementary School grounds, Takatsuki

Next 11/7 +6 more
Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park
Meriken Park

Next 10/18 +10 more
EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market
Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/10 - 11/30
Moomin × Kobe Port Tower: a part of KOBE
Kobe Port Tower and 20+ locations across Kobe
FAQ
Does it cost anything?
What if it rains?
How do I get between venues?
Is the Mikunigaoka area open both days?
Related
People who read this also read
- Deals & Campaigns
Kyoto Kimono Passport 2026-27: Free Admission in Kimono
Wear kimono in Kyoto and show the Kyoto Kimono Passport page on your phone for perks at about 250 places. Seven museums and gardens are free, four of them until December 25, 2026. Full lists of free and discounted sights, temple gifts, and the rules on yukata and rental shops.
- Events
BEUTEA Pop-Up at Daimaru Kobe: Chinese Tea Selling Out by 3:30pm Daily
BEUTEA, a premium Chinese tea brand from Malaysia whose first Japan store in Nagoya drew queues of up to an hour, has its first Kobe pop-up at Daimaru Kobe until October 17, 2026. It has sold out every day, and the brand expects each day's stock to run out around 3:30pm. Menu with prices, location inside the store and hours.
