Sumida Street Jazz Festival 2026
FREE ENTRYAbout 30 stages in parks, halls, shopping spots and streets around Kinshicho
If you want a whole weekend of live music without buying a single ticket, the Sumida Street Jazz Festival (すみだストリートジャズフェスティバル) is one of the easiest picks in Tokyo this autumn. On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October 2026, around 30 spots in Sumida Ward turn into stages, and you can walk in and out of every one of them for free.
The festival has run since 2010. The idea is simple: you stroll around the Kinshicho area and bump into live sets in parks, concert halls, shopping plazas, shopping streets and on the pavement. Jazz is the core, but plenty of other styles show up too.
Dates, hours and what free really means
| Event | Sumida Street Jazz Festival 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sat 17 – Sun 18 October 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00–20:00 (start and end times differ by venue) |
| Where | Kinshi Park and about 30 venues across Sumida Ward, Tokyo |
| Entry | Free at all venues |
| Weather | Goes ahead in light rain, no backup day |
| Organizer | Sumida Street Jazz Festival Executive Committee (すみだストリートジャズフェスティバル実行委員会) |
Free entry covers the stages. Food and drinks at the eating area are paid for separately, so bring some cash or your usual payment method. The festival has not announced which payment methods the stalls take, so it is worth having a bit of both.
Who is playing
The headline act is Shiho with Friends, led by vocalist Shiho, with actor and saxophonist Takeda Shinji (武田真治) joining as special guest. Here is the line-up that has been announced so far:
| Artist | Note |
|---|---|
| Shiho with Friends | Headliner, led by vocalist Shiho |
| Takeda Shinji (武田真治) | Special guest, actor and saxophonist |
| Tsunoda☆Hiro (つのだ☆ひろ) | Also known as a drummer |
| Mahogany Organ All-Stars | Organ jazz unit |
| Makiyama Junko with Vermilion Notes (牧山純子 with Vermilion Notes) | – |
| Tsurutsuruzu feat. Eric Miyashiro (つるつるズ feat. Eric Miyashiro) | – |
| Vermilion Field | – |
| Tokyo Saizensen (東京最前線) | – |
| jaja | – |
| Asakusa Jinta (浅草ジンタ) | – |
| Nagae Kenji (長江健次) | – |
Many more groups play across the 30 or so venues. The closing acts on the Kinshi Park stage are scheduled as follows:
- Saturday 17 October: Shiho with Friends, Special Guest Takeda Shinji
- Sunday 18 October: Dream Session For Future
Main stages to know
You do not need to stay in one place. These are the stages named for 2026, all within walking distance of Kinshicho:
- Kinshi Park, Yaokin Stage (錦糸公園 やおきんステージ): the main outdoor stage, next to the food area
- Sumida Triphony Hall (すみだトリフォニーホール)
- Olinas Plaza (オリナス広場)
- Ooyokogawa Shinsui Park Event Plaza (大横川親水公園イベント広場)
- JR Kinshicho Station South Exit Plaza (JR錦糸町駅南口広場)
The full venue map and each stage’s timetable are on the official festival website. Since times differ from venue to venue, check it before you set your route.
Craft beer, sake and gibier in Kinshi Park
The eating area in Kinshi Park is a big part of the fun, and it sits right next to the stage, so you can eat with live music in the background. There are about 650 seats.
- Sumida One-Coin Oktoberfest (すみだワンコインオクトーバーフェスト): craft beer from ¥500. Local Sumida breweries are joined by 14 breweries from around Japan, so it is a good chance to try a few side by side.
- Sumida Gibier Festival (すみだジビエフェスティバル): wild game such as deer and boar, plus whale, served grilled, deep-fried or stewed. Seafood and meat dishes from the Tohoku region, local Sumida shops and sweets are also on offer.
Fans of the BS TV Tokyo drama Wakako-zake (ワカコ酒) should look for the Wakako-zake Fest in Sumida Oktoberfest. A special booth recreates the world of the show, and you can taste sake from breweries around Japan that appeared in the drama. Tastings are paid for with tickets, and you can even re-create the show’s signature moment of cracking open a drink.
Getting there and rain policy
- JR Sobu Line, Kinshicho Station: about a 3-minute walk
- Tokyo Metro, Kinshicho Station: right by Exit 4
Tips for planning your day
- Pick one anchor show. If you want to catch the Kinshi Park closing act, decide which day first, then fit the smaller stages around it.
- Check each venue’s hours. The festival runs 10:00–20:00 overall, but some stages start later or finish earlier.
- Eat in the park. With around 650 seats beside the stage, Kinshi Park is the easiest place for a beer-and-music break.
- Make it a budget-friendly weekend. After the music, a soak at a local bathhouse with the Tokyo sento ¥300 coupon rounds off a cheap day out.
Looking for more autumn events? See our guides to the Shibaura Canal Festival with free canal cruises and the Musashino Art University Festival. If you are still sorting out how to pay for days like this, our guide to credit cards in Japan for foreigners covers which card to get first.
FAQ
- Q. Is the Sumida Street Jazz Festival free?
- Yes. Entry is free at every venue. Food and drinks in the eating area are paid separately, and craft beer starts at ¥500.
- Q. What happens if it rains?
- The festival goes ahead in light rain, and there is no backup day. If heavier weather is forecast, check the official website on the day.
- Q. Where is the nearest station?
- Kinshicho Station. It is about a 3-minute walk from the JR Sobu Line station and right by Exit 4 of the Tokyo Metro station.
- Q. When does each stage start?
- Overall hours are 10:00 to 20:00, but start and end times differ by venue. Check the timetable on the official website before you go.
- Q. Who closes the Kinshi Park stage?
- On Saturday 17 October it is scheduled to be Shiho with Friends with special guest Takeda Shinji, and on Sunday 18 October Dream Session For Future.
Official website: timetable and map
Information as of 6 October 2026. Line-ups and times may change, so please check the official website for the latest.