Held in late September. NoMaps2026's theme is "GALAPAGOS," featuring 15 categories evolving with 10 years of progress in Sapporo, Hokkaido, across various central Sapporo locations.

Five days to encounter something that will surely pique your interest. This September,

"NoMaps2026" is a hybrid urban festival of technology, entertainment, and creativity held in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

This year's event will take place from Wednesday, September 23, 2026, to Sunday, September 27. Approximately 80 venues scattered throughout central Sapporo will host talk sessions, live performances, exhibitions, and meetups, organized into 15 categories such as SOCIAL, WELLNESS, and FOOD.

A look at last year's NoMaps2025, "The Future of Creation ~Internet, Hatsune Miku, Hokkaido. And for All Creators~"

Last year's "NoMaps2025" venue map. Various programs are planned at venues across central Sapporo.

This Year's Theme is "GALAPAGOS"

NoMaps2026 Main Visual

The term "Galapagos phone" (ガラケー) may have led to the image of being "left behind by the world standard."

However, the Galapagos Islands themselves, isolated from the rest of the world, are a miraculous place where diverse life forms adapted to their unique environments and evolved independently.

In an era where information and technology are instantly shared due to advancements like AI, and everything is optimized. What emerges from this is a convergence towards universal, standardized, and efficient things.

Therefore, let us be more biased. Let us ferment. Let us embrace regional cultures and industries, the challenges of companies, and the curiosity and passions of each individual. While connecting with the world, let us continue to evolve by believing in our own filters. It is this diversity that will enrich and make the future more interesting.

This year's key visual was designed by Keiichiro Yamazaki, inspired by the "egg," a symbol of evolution. Icons for each category adorning NoMaps are depicted as different "Galapagos eggs," expressing the emergence and hatching of diverse possibilities.

Hokkaido, too, should be a Galapagos in its own right. While connecting with the world, we believe in the value born from this land and nurture the diverse seeds of the future. This is the sentiment we have poured into NoMaps2026's "GALAPAGOS."

NoMaps2026 General Producer / Shinichiro Igarashi

NoMaps: Co-creation by Industry, Academia, Government, and Citizens

Since its inception in 2016, NoMaps has provided numerous opportunities for new challenges and co-creation, with participants from diverse backgrounds including private companies, government agencies, educational institutions, research institutions, creators, students, and citizens collaborating across fields and positions.

In addition to talk sessions, live performances, exhibitions, and meetups, it also serves as a venue for various demonstrations and experiments utilizing the city of Sapporo.

Case Study 1) Urban Culture Farm "SAPPORO CULTURE FARM / anaBa" (2025)

Cooperation: Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.

A new experimental base established on the site of the Hokkaido Building, adjacent to the important Sapporo Station Front Street area for Sapporo's urban development (Kita 1 Nishi 4, Chuo-ku). As a model of public-private partnership in collaboration with Sapporo City and companies from Hokkaido and beyond, it promotes initiatives where diverse fields such as agriculture, culture, art, and tourism intersect. It utilizes the preparation period before the construction of the new building to connect to future urban development.

Case Study 2) NoMaps Midnight Lab "Human Nature - Human Desire and Instinct" (2024)

Cooperation: NTT East G-Sleep Tech Team, Esty Co., Ltd., Inter-company Sleep Community "ZAKONE"

An experimental nighttime program offering "the most interesting stories that make you unable to sleep" by "the best guests" in a "super relaxing space that makes you sleepy" created with a cutting-edge sleep tech team. Many attendees actually fell asleep.

Case Study 3) Puppet Show Art x Cutting-edge AI Collaboration NoMaps Future Theater (2025)

Direction: Noriyuki Sawa (Puppeteer), David Aoki (Video Director)

A performance combining traditional puppet show art using puppets, masks, and shadow play with cutting-edge generative AI video direction. It presented an unprecedented immersive stage art that generated stories in real-time from audience experiences.

The official website for NoMaps2026 will also be released soon. The official website will feature the latest information and program details.

A scene from "NoMaps WELLNESS ZUMBA" held at the scramble crossing on Sapporo Station Front Street.

NoMaps2026 Overview

Dates: September 23 (Wed) - September 27 (Sun), 2026 Venue: Central Sapporo City Organizer: NoMaps Executive Committee

Click here for the official website

About the NoMaps Executive Committee

NoMaps, which started in 2016, is operated under an "ALL HOKKAIDO system" that collaborates with private companies, government agencies, and educational institutions, based on five missions.

1. MISSION: Revitalization of the creative industry and its ripple effect on other industries 2. Promotion of startup support, creation of new industries, and investment 3. Fostering a creative citizen culture 4. Enhancing the international recognition and appeal of Sapporo and Hokkaido 5. Realization of "SAPPORO: A World-Leading Innovative City"