Suntory Hall will welcome visitors on Sunday, April 6, for its annual “Open House – Let’s Play at Suntory Hall!”, a one-day event offering free admission and a variety of interactive musical experiences.
First launched in 2005, the Open House event has become a beloved tradition, allowing the public to explore the prestigious concert hall at no cost. After a temporary halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of online streaming, the event fully returned in 2023, once again allowing visitors to freely come and go without prior registration.
Live Concerts and Stage Experience
Throughout the day, the Main Hall will host two organ concerts and two orchestral performances. The organ concert will showcase the hall’s massive 5,898-pipe organ, one of the largest in the world, performed by organist Ryo Tamiya, who will guide the audience through its intricate mechanics and powerful sound.
Meanwhile, the orchestral concert will feature the Yokohama Sinfonietta, with celebrated saxophonist Kohei Ueno making his debut as a conductor. The program will include introductions to various instruments, as well as a special experience where selected audience members will have the opportunity to try conducting the orchestra themselves.
Between performances, visitors will be invited to step onto the stage for a rare firsthand experience of a performer’s perspective. During this time, attendees can also get an up-close look at the organ console.
Additional Activities
The Blue Rose (Small Hall) will feature a “Classical Relay Marathon”, presented by members of the Suntory Hall Academy. This series of mini-performances will include string quartets, opera, and organ music, with the program being revealed live on stage.
Beyond the concerts, the event will offer several interactive experiences:
- Hall Guide Tour – Veteran receptionists will guide guests through the hidden design elements of the hall’s lobby and seating areas.
- Mini Wine Talk – A sommelier will discuss the relationship between wine and music (for visitors aged 20 and over).
- Hall Exploration Sheet – An activity designed for elementary school children and younger, encouraging them to complete missions while exploring the venue.
Entry and Participation
The Hall Guide Tour and Mini Wine Talk require same-day registration at the venue. Entry to concerts will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis and may be restricted if the venue reaches capacity.
Suntory Hall’s Open House is a unique opportunity for music lovers of all ages to experience the renowned concert venue in an interactive and welcoming setting.
Open House – Let’s Play at Suntory Hall!
Event Details
Date & Time: Sunday, April 6, 2025, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Free admission, no prior registration required)
Venue: Suntory Hall (Main Hall, Blue Rose [Small Hall], and other areas)
Organizer: Suntory Hall
Inquiries: Suntory Hall Ticket Center 0570-55-0017 (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, except on closed days)
Main Hall
(All seats are unreserved. Standing is not allowed. Please refrain from reserving seats with personal belongings. Entry may be restricted if the hall reaches full capacity.)
Organ Concert (11:15 AM – 11:45 AM / 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM)
Suntory Hall’s grand organ, one of the largest in the world, was crafted by Austria’s Rieger Orgelbau. Experience the powerful and rich sound of its 5,898 pipes. Rising organist Ryo Tamiya, who graduated with top honors from Lübeck Academy of Music, will perform a diverse program while introducing the instrument.
Performer: Ryo Tamiya (Organ)
Program:
Vivaldi (Arr. Ryo Tamiya): “Spring” from The Four Seasons – 1st movement
J. Williams (Arr. J. M. Baker): Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme) from Star Wars
Florentz: Song of the Flowers
J. S. Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
(Both performances feature the same program.)
Orchestra Concert (12:00 PM – 12:45 PM / 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM)
This year, leading saxophonist Kohei Ueno will take the conductor’s podium for the first time, making his orchestral conducting debut with the Yokohama Sinfonietta, under the recommendation of the orchestra’s music director, Kazuki Yamada. Expect a unique and dynamic program, along with special interactive segments in each concert.
Performers:
Kohei Ueno (Conductor & Saxophone)
Yokohama Sinfonietta
Program:
Bizet: Symphony in C Major – 1st movement
Ibert: Concertino da Camera for Alto Saxophone and 11 Instruments – 1st movement
Azarashvili (Arr. Maki Ueda): Song Without Words (for String Orchestra)
[12:00 PM Concert] Introduction to Orchestral Instruments
[4:00 PM Concert] Try Conducting! (Two adults and two children will be selected from the audience to conduct the orchestra.)
Maki Ueda (Arr.): “Classical Toy Box” Medley
Theme from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major (Excerpt)
(Both performances feature the same program.)
Step onto the Stage! (1:15 PM – 2:45 PM, last entry at 2:30 PM)
A rare chance to step onto the Main Hall stage and experience the performer’s view!
How to participate:
Groups should line up at one of the four designated aisles leading to the stage.
Participants will be guided onto the stage in turns.
Please be considerate of others when taking photos and moving on stage (no conductor’s podium will be set up).
After the designated time, please exit promptly through the right-side stage door.
Bonus: Visitors can also view the organ console up close from the P Block (2nd floor).
Blue Rose (Small Hall)
(Entry may be restricted if the hall reaches full capacity.)
Classical Relay Marathon (11:10 AM – 4:25 PM)
Blue Rose will be transformed into a classical music relay marathon venue, featuring 15-minute mini-performances by members of the Suntory Hall Academy, guest musicians, and surprise performers. The program will be revealed on the day of the event!
Performers:
[Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy] String Quartet – Quartett Iris
Aiko Komai / Sayaka Inada (Violin), Futaba Suzuki (Viola), Yota Miyanohara (Cello)
[Suntory Hall Opera Academy]
Ayaka Kiwada (Soprano), Akira Yajima (Tenor), Mayu Saito (Piano)
Yuka Ishikawa-Manjor (Positive Organ)
(Performance times will be announced on the day of the event.)
Lobby & Other Activities
Hall Guide Tour (For adults)
Tour times:
(1) 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
(2) 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
(3) 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
(4) 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Veteran receptionists will reveal hidden design secrets of the lobby and seating areas. (Max. 80 participants per session.)
How to join:
For sessions (1) & (2), registration opens at 11:30 AM.
For sessions (3) & (4), registration opens at 2:00 PM.
Sign up at the registration desk near the main entrance (left side).
Mini Wine Talk (For ages 20 and over)
Session times:
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Join a sommelier-led discussion on wine and music at the Intermezzo drink corner. (Max. 45 participants per session.)
How to join:
Registration opens 10 minutes before each session at Intermezzo (1st floor drink corner).
