Nano-Mugen Festival

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN FES.
K-Arena Yokohama, the venue for the Japan leg of Nano-Mugen Fes. 2025
GenreRock music, Pop music, Electronic music, various
DatesVaries, usually in July
Location(s)Yokohama, Japan (2003)
Tokyo, Japan (2003, 2004)
Osaka, Japan (2004)
Yokohama, Japan (2005–present)
Jakarta, Indonesia (2025)
Years active2003–2014 (except 2007), 2025
WebsiteOfficial site

Nano-Mugen Festival (officially ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN FES., Japanese: アジアン カンフー ジェネレーション プレゼンツ ナノ-ムゲン フェス) is a music festival usually held in Yokohama, Japan.[1]

The festival is hosted by Japanese rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation, who invites various other artists from around Japan and internationally to perform at the festival. From the 2005 edition, the band also started producing a compilation album featuring music of each invited artist for that year's festival.[2]

In 2025, the festival will also be held overseas for the first time, with dates in both Yokohama, Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia.[3][4]

Festival history

[edit]

NANO-MUGEN FES. (Shinjuku LOFT)

[edit]

The first Nano-Mugen Fes. was held at Shinjuku LOFT on August 11, 2003. It was a single day festival featuring five total acts.[5]

Date Venue Artists
August 11 Shinjuku LOFT

NANO-MUGEN FES. (Yokohama CLUB24)

[edit]

The second festival was held on December 17, 2023 at Yokohama CLUB24.[5]

Date Venue Artists
December 17 Yokohama CLUB24

NANO-MUGEN FES. in Budokan

[edit]

The third festival was held on July 1, 2004 at Nippon Budokan.[5]

Date Venue Artists
July 1 Nippon Budokan

NANO-MUGEN FES. in OSAKA

[edit]

The fourth festival was held on August 9, 2004 at Osaka Namba Hatch.[5] It is the first edition to feature international acts.

Date Venue Artists
August 9 Osaka Namba Hatch

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2005

[edit]

2005 was the first festival to he held at new permanent venue Yokohama Arena, and the first to feature a compilation album.[6]

Date Venue Area Performers
July 9 Yokohama Arena A Stage
B Stage
  • Asian-Kung Fu Generation
  • Farrah (UK)
  • Industrial Salt (UK)
  • Straightener

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2006

[edit]

The festival became a two-day event in the 2006 edition.

Dates Venue Area Performers
July 16 Yokohama Arena
Band Stage
Acoustic
&
DJ Stage
July 17
Band Stage
Acoustic
&
DJ Stage

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2008

[edit]

Whilst the organisers received offers from bands wanting to participate in 2007, a decision was ultimately made to postpone the festival so that Asian Kung-Fu Generation could focus on performing at other festivals and events.[7]

The festival returned to Yokohama Arena in 2008, once again for two days.[8]

Dates Venue Performers
July 20 Yokohama Arena
July 21

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2009

[edit]

Welsh band Manic Street Preachers was originally scheduled to appear, however their participation was cancelled due to the sudden illness of bassist Nicky Wire. Refunds were given upon request.[9]

Dates Venue Performers
July 19 Yokohama Arena
July 20
  • Asian Kung-fu Generation
  • Manic Street Preachers (UK) (cancelled)
  • Nada Surf (US)
  • Ben Folds (US)
  • HARD-Fi (UK)
  • The Young Punx (UK)
  • Farrah (UK)
  • Spitz
  • Unicorn
  • Sakanaction

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2009 (pre-event)

[edit]

Prior to the main festival, the band also hosted events in Osaka and Nagoya on July 9 and 10, along with a solo show in Tokyo.[10]

Dates City Venue Performers
July 6 Tokyo Daikanyama UNIT Asian Kung-Fu Generation
July 9 Osaka Namba Hatch
July 10 Nagoya Zepp Nagoya

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2010

[edit]

In lieu of a full festival in 2010, the band instead hosted a tour with stops in four cities across Japan.[11]

Dates City Venue Performers
July 21 Hiroshima Hiroshima Club Quattro
July 23 Yokohama Yokohama BLITZ
July 24 Tokyo Zepp Tokyo
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ra Ra Riot (US)
  • 環ROY [ja]
  • Telstar
July 27 Kyoto KBS Hall
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ra Ra Riot (US)
  • Eiko Ishibashi × Achiko
  • DJ Dawa (Flake Records)
  • TORA (8otto)
July 28
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ra Ra Riot (US)
  • Olde Worlde [ja]
  • DJ Dawa (Flake Records)
  • TORA (8otto)

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2011

[edit]

Held in three cities across Japan.

Dates City Venue Performers
July 4 Tokyo Liquid Room
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Dr. Downer
  • Kenichi Hasegawa
July 5 Studio Coast
July 7 Osaka Zepp Osaka
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Nada Surf (US)
  • The Koxx (KR)
July 8 Nagoya Zepp Nagoya
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Nada Surf (US)
  • LOSTAGE

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2011

[edit]

Nano-Mugen returned to Yokohama Arena as a two-day festival.[12]

Dates Venue Area Performers
July 16 Yokohama Arena Band Stage
Acoustic Stage
  • The Rentals (US)
DJ Stage
July 17 Band Stage
Acoustic Stage
DJ Stage
  • The Young Punx and Phonat (UK)

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2012

[edit]

Held in four cities across Japan.[13]

Dates City Venue Performers
June 4 Hiroshima Hiroshima Club Quattro
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ozma (US)
  • The Cigavettes
June 5 Osaka Umeda Club Quattro
June 7 Nagoya Nagoya Club Quattro
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ozma (US)
  • QUATTRO [ja]
June 8 Tokyo Zepp DiverCity

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2012

[edit]
Dates Venue Area Performers
July 15 Yokohama Arena Band Stage
Dance Stage
  • Space Cowboy (UK)
Acoustic Stage
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

July 16 Band Stage
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Fountains of Wayne (US)
  • Mates of State (US)
  • Suede (UK)
  • Chara
  • 10-Feet
  • Chatmonchy
  • The Hiatus
Dance Stage
Acoustic Stage
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

  • Phonotones

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2013

[edit]

Held in six cities across Japan.[14]

Dates City Venue Performers
June 14 Kyoto KBS Hall
June 15
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • The chef cooks me
  • Phonotones
  • Turntable Films
June 17 Matsuyama Matsuyama City Community Center
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Radical Dads (US)
  • Straightener
  • Dr. Downer
June 19 Kumamoto Drum Be-9 V1
  • Asian Kung-fu Generation
  • Radical Dads (US)
  • Ai Iwasaki
  • Now the bear man
June 24 Niigata Niigata LOTS
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Radical Dads (US)
  • Cero
June 26 Sendai Sendai Rensa
  • Asian Kung-fu Generation
  • Radical Dads (US)
  • Umi-no-te
June 28 Tokyo Tokyo Dome City Hall
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Radical Dads (US)
  • The chef cooks me
  • Shamcats

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2014

[edit]

2014 was to be the final annual Nano-Mugen Festival, and the most recently released compilation album.[15]

Dates Venue Area Performers
July 12 Yokohama Arena Band Stage
Electric Stage
  • The Young Punx (UK)
  • It's a Musical (DE & SE)
Ken's Cafe
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

July 13 Band Stage
Electric Stage
  • The Young Punx (UK)
  • It's a Musical (DE & SE)
Ken's Cafe
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2025

[edit]

After an 11 year hiatus, Nano-Mugen Festival is due to return in May and June 2025 and held across two cities in Japan and Indonesia.[3]

The first wave of artists to appear was revealed on 3 February 2025.[16] The second wave was announced on 10 March 2025, along with the first wave of artists to appear in Jakarta.[17]

Dates City Venue Performers
May 24 Jakarta, Indonesia Ecopark Ancol
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ellegarden
  • Homecomings
  • KANA-BOON
May 25
May 31 Yokohama, Japan K-Arena Yokohama
June 1
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Beck (US)
  • The Adams (IDN)
  • Quruli

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Brasor, Philip (2009-06-19). "Asian Kung-Fu Generation @ Nano-Mugen Festival". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  2. ^ "NANO-MUGEN出演者最終発表でユニコーン追加 コンピにはアジカン・くるり・テナーの新曲も". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  3. ^ a b "アジカン主催『NANO-MUGEN FES.2025』第二弾出演アーティストとしてELLEGARDEN、ベックを発表 | Musicman". 音楽業界総合情報サイト | Musicman (in Japanese). 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  4. ^ "ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION主催【NANO-MUGEN FES.】、日本&インドネシアで開催". エンタメOVO(オーヴォ). 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  5. ^ a b c d "History | NANO-MUGEN FES.2011 | English". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  6. ^ "(オムニバス)「アジアン・カンフー・ジェネレーション・プレゼンツ "ナノムゲン・コンピレーション"」 | KSCL-827 | 4582117984016 | Shopping". Billboard JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  7. ^ "NANO-MUGEN FES". www.sonymusic.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  8. ^ "ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION 『NANO-MUGEN FES. 2008』出演者第1弾発表!". rockin’on.com (in Japanese). 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  9. ^ "MANIC STREET PREACHERS Information of Performance Cancellation and Ticket refund". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  10. ^ "NANO-MUGEN FES.2009". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  11. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2010 - SCHEDULE-". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  12. ^ Department, Skream! Editorial. "NANO-MUGEN FES. 2011". Skream! 邦楽ロック・洋楽ロック ポータルサイト. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  13. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT2012". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  14. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2013". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  15. ^ "NANO-MUGEN出演者最終発表でユニコーン追加 コンピにはアジカン・くるり・テナーの新曲も". Real Sound|リアルサウンド (in Japanese). 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  16. ^ "アジカン主催『NANO-MUGEN FES.2025』にくるり、ストレイテナー、インドネシアからThe Adams、VOICE OF BACEPROTが出演決定 - ニュース". Rooftop (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  17. ^ "アジカン主催<NANO-MUGEN FES. 2025>、第二弾出演者発表にBECKとELLEGARDEN". ライブドアニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-03-18.
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