Presented by Goldenvoice and Cloud Nine, Zipangu is a monumental new Japanese music event taking place at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The one-day showcase marks a historic milestone: the largest Japanese Music Event on US soil devoted to Japanese music and culture, uniting some of the country’s most celebrated artists on an American stage for the first time.

The headliner of  Zipangu is Ado, the chart-topping, boundary-breaking *utaite whose rare live appearances and signature anonymity have captivated fans worldwide. Joining her are several of Japan’s most innovative and globally ascendant artists, including ATARASHII GAKKO!, CHANMINA, HANA, MAN WITH A MISSION, Yuki Chiba, and 10-FEET. Together, they represent the cutting edge of Japan’s genre-blurring, visually bold, and creatively fearless music scene.

Zipangu creates a new gateway for U.S. audiences to experience the originality, energy, and storytelling of modern Japanese music. Inspired by a scene shaped alongside anime, manga, film, and digital culture, the event showcases the distinct evolution of J-Pop and its many offshoots. It’s an evolution that continues to influence global music, fashion, and fandom. With Japanese artists rarely performing outside their home country, Zipangu offers a once-in-a-lifetime event, creating a historic and unforgettable experience for fans.

“Japanese music has a universe of creativity that the world is only beginning to discover,” says the Zipangu team. “Zipangu is the beginning of a new story, one that connects artists and fans through the power, vibrancy, and individuality of this scene.”

The Zipangu team added “Japan is an island nation where people feel the changing of the seasons and find beauty in wabi-sabi, the appreciation of impermanence and imperfection. In Japanese culture, there is the concept of the “Dō” — the Way, which values not only technical mastery but also courtesy, respect, and spiritual discipline. Through Zipangu, we invite audiences to see, hear, and feel Japan’s “Way of Music” — the Ongaku-dō — and experience the spirit of Cloud Nine-dō, celebrating artistry, dedication, and the heart of Japanese musical expression.”

With Brookside at the Rose Bowl serving as the backdrop, Zipangu gathers thousands of music lovers for a celebration of Japanese artistry unlike anything seen in the U.S. before.