August 14-16, 2026. ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe, Chiba. The Strokes, David Byrne, Jamiroquai, FKA Twigs, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Sakanaction, and more across two full days of music under the summer sky.
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About
Summer Sonic launched in August 2000 with a straightforward idea: bring the kind of multi-stage, multi-genre outdoor festival that was common in Europe and North America to Japan, and do it in the middle of the city rather than in a field three prefectures away. The first edition ran at Makuhari Messe with a lineup that felt genuinely risky for the time. It sold out. The second year, they added Osaka. By year five, it had become the anchor of the Japanese summer festival calendar.
The format has stayed deliberately compact. Two cities, two days, no camping. That decision was intentional from the start and it's never changed. The thinking was simple: people should be able to come to a festival and still sleep in a real bed, eat at a real restaurant, and not spend Sunday recovering from a field. That's still true in 2026. The venues are the same ones that have hosted the festival for most of its history, which means the staff know the site and the regulars know exactly where to find the good spots.
FAQ
Are 3-Day Passes really sold out?
Yes, completely. The 3-Day Pass sold out before the full lineup was even public. 1-Day Passes at ¥21,000 and Box Seats at ¥35,000 per box (up to 5 people) are still available through the official ticket link. There is no waitlist for the 3-Day Pass at this time.
Which days are The Strokes, David Byrne, and Jamiroquai playing?
The full day-by-day schedule hasn't been released yet. Stage times and day splits for all artists including The Strokes, David Byrne, Jamiroquai, FKA Twigs, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Sakanaction, Steve Lacy, Cornelius, and Hitsujibungaku will be announced on the official Summer Sonic website. Sign up for updates to get notified the moment the schedule drops.
How do I get to ZOZO Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe?
Take the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Kaihin-Makuhari Station. It's about 30 minutes and runs frequently. Both venues are a short walk from the station. There's no official shuttle bus and you don't need one. Taxis are available but the train is faster during festival hours.
Is the festival all outdoors? What happens if it rains?
Summer Sonic uses both outdoor and indoor venues simultaneously. ZOZO Marine Stadium is open-air. Makuhari Messe is fully indoors. If it rains, sets at the indoor stages continue without interruption. Outdoor sets follow standard weather protocols. Bringing a light rain layer is always a good idea in August in Chiba.
Can I buy a Box Seat for just one person?
Yes. Box Seats are priced per box per day at ¥35,000, and each box fits 1 to 5 people. If you're going solo and want a reserved spot, you can buy a box for yourself. Most people split the cost across a group to make it more economical, but there's no minimum headcount.
Is there an official resale option for sold-out tickets?
The official Summer Sonic website is the only place to check for any released inventory or official resale. Buying from unofficial third-party sellers carries real risk of invalid tickets at the gate. If the 3-Day Pass becomes available again, it will be announced through official channels first.
Yes, completely. The 3-Day Pass sold out before the full lineup was even public. 1-Day Passes at ¥21,000 and Box Seats at ¥35,000 per box (up to 5 people) are still available through the official ticket link. There is no waitlist for the 3-Day Pass at this time.
The full day-by-day schedule hasn't been released yet. Stage times and day splits for all artists including The Strokes, David Byrne, Jamiroquai, FKA Twigs, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Sakanaction, Steve Lacy, Cornelius, and Hitsujibungaku will be announced on the official Summer Sonic website. Sign up for updates to get notified the moment the schedule drops.
Take the JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Kaihin-Makuhari Station. It's about 30 minutes and runs frequently. Both venues are a short walk from the station. There's no official shuttle bus and you don't need one. Taxis are available but the train is faster during festival hours.