Creating New Culture from Local Regions: 'NAGATO DAWN FEST 2026' Debut Success in Nagato, Yamaguchi

On May 16-17, 2026, the inaugural 'NAGATO DAWN FEST 2026' took place in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Nagato City is a beautiful location facing the emerald blue Sea of Japan, surrounded by mountains and boasting rich food culture and the historic 'Nagato Five Famous Springs,' including the 600-year-old Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

Under the theme of 'Generating New Culture from Local Regions,' this multi-entertainment festival combined music, food, and local heritage. Over the two days, a total of 10,500 people visited the paid and free areas combined.

At the Nagato City General Park, the free area hosted 'NAGATO DAWN KITCHEN,' a food event featuring numerous local stalls. Visitors enjoyed regional delicacies such as Choshu-dori chicken, wild game (gibier), and sweets inspired by the local specialty 'fugu' (pufferfish). The venue was vibrant with crowds ranging from young people to families.

The main music venue, Renaissa Nagato, was filled with excitement as visitors received fans color-coded in 'Nagato Blue' (the sea) and 'Nagato Red' (passion).

Performance Highlights: - **Natsuki Kawanishi**: The singer-songwriter delivered emotional tracks like 'Risouteki Girl,' bringing positive energy to the opening. - **Klang Ruler**: The 5-piece band performed 10 songs, including 'Teenage Blue' and a cover of 'Otona Blue,' which was originally provided to ATARASHII GAKKO!. - **TEE**: Celebrating his 15th anniversary, TEE captivated the audience with his warm vocals on hits like 'Baby I Love You.' - **C&K**: The vocal unit electrified the stage with powerful songs like 'Y' and 'Odoro-CCA,' creating a unified atmosphere through dance and interaction. - **Kyary Pamyu Pamyu**: As the headliner of Day 1, she elevated the excitement with 'Fashion Monster,' 'Ninja Re Bang Bang,' and 'PONPONPON.' The audience, from children to adults, danced together, leading to a vibrant finale with 'Harajuku Iyahoi.'

On Day 2, **THE BEAT GARDEN** and **Berry Goodman** continued the high energy. THE BEAT GARDEN performed drama theme songs with explosive energy, while Berry Goodman led a massive sing-along, bringing the audience together in a spirited jump. The festival successfully showcased the potential of regional culture combined with modern entertainment.