“INSPIRE TOKYO 2024”: A Cultural Melting Pot Attracts Music Lovers and Market Goers

Urban Culture Festival: Easy to Join and Enjoy

One of the standout features of ‘INSPIRE TOKYO’ is its fantastic location and inviting atmosphere. Conveniently situated within a lush section of Yoyogi Park, it’s just a short walk from both Harajuku and Shibuya. The “MARKET FIELD” area, bustling with energy and reminiscent of a vibrant street fair or flea market, offers a delightful place to wander. It’s heartening to see families, elderly couples, and tourists, some seemingly having stumbled upon the event by chance, enjoying the free live performances, browsing through interesting shops, and fanning themselves with complimentary fans featuring artwork by Keiichi Tanaami. The festival’s inclusive, open atmosphere, appealing to people of all ages, is a defining charm of “INSPIRE TOKYO.”

The event also stands out for its exceptional music quality and engaging performances. On the opening day, July 13th, the “LIVE FIELD” featured a stellar lineup: NOA, known for her work as a singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor; Chotokkyu, popular for their “Main Dancer + Back Vocal” style; OWV, a four-member boy group making their second consecutive appearance; Hinatazaka46, a top female idol group; and BOYNEXTDOOR, a rising boy group from South Korea. The excitement was palpable, with enthusiastic cheers from dedicated fans and warm applause for newcomers. This sense of camaraderie and inclusion is another highlight of “INSPIRE TOKYO.”

Market Area: A Hub of Crafts, Goods, and Artistic Wonders

Upon entering the Keyaki Promenade from the Shibuya side, the first area you’ll encounter is titled “TAKUMI BORDERLESS –Outdoor KOGEI–.” This section serves as a showroom for craftsmen from across Japan, featuring the theme of “Outdoor × Artisan Techniques.” The concept of combining camping and outdoor activities with traditional Japanese crafts is quite intriguing. It offers a variety of items appealing to cooking enthusiasts, including tableware, frying pans, and knives, making it a particularly enjoyable area for me personally.

Further ahead, you’ll find the area dedicated to miscellaneous goods and art. Shops featuring organic textures and a blend of international styles line the space, offering interior items, apparel, accessories, and imported goods. Browsing through these shops feels like exploring a flea market, and it’s enjoyable just to look around. A cute embroidered cat handkerchief catches the eye. Beyond this, there’s an art area where emerging artists, including art students, have set up their stalls. Children can participate in workshops, such as painting and fabric dyeing, with family-friendly activities available. Adjacent to this is the food truck area, where ice cream, drinks, and shaved ice are immensely popular. Although the Kanto region’s rainy season ended a few days later, the summer vibes are already in full swing.

Seamless Enjoyment: Navigating Between Live Performances and Market Stalls

On the second day of “LIVE FIELD,” top-tier artists who could each fill the venue on their own came together for an unforgettable lineup. The stage was opened by Shishibashiri, delivering a dose of dark, romantic alternative rock. Nulbarich followed with intricate and intellectual dance music that stimulated both the mind and body. Wednesday Campanella showcased the radiant charm of Utaha, energizing the floor with powerful bass. Chilli Beans. brought a cool and wild vibe with their funky band sound. Finally, Daichi Miura, with the confidence of a veteran, delivered a fresh performance akin to a newcomer, thrilling the audience with sharp dance moves and an impressive vocal performance.

The final performance on the second day featured Ryujii Imaichi, who made his eighth appearance at the festival, including the previous “J-WAVE LIVE” events. He delivered a full-throttle performance, expressing his gratitude to the fans who had enjoyed the festival all day.

The event lasts a full six hours, but you can always take a break and explore the “MARKET FIELD” before returning. The laid-back and flexible vibe of ‘INSPIRE TOKYO’ makes it easy to enjoy at your own pace.

At the far end of “MARKET FIELD,” right before reaching Route 413, you’ll find the “TOKYO CURRY CULTURE” area. This section boasts a lineup of popular curry shops and official stores, with spicy aromas that are hard to resist. Nearby, the “World Food Area” offers a tantalizing variety of cuisines from 14 different countries. This section is a haven for food lovers, featuring everything from Chinese and Singaporean to Italian, British, Brazilian, Cuban, Belgian, Ukrainian, Swedish, and Danish fare. I regretted not having more time to savor a meal there due to the live performances, but if the festival is held here next year, I’ll definitely make a point to visit.

Day 3 Highlight: UVERworld Appears on BE:FIRST’s Special Request

On the first and second days, the live performances at “LIVE FIELD” were in a festival format with five or six groups, but on the final day, only two groups were entered in a pairing format. It was also a very challenging and thrilling combination of UVERworld and BE:FIRST, which I watched closely from beginning to end. I had no idea what kind of atmosphere the audience would have. I had no idea what kind of mood the audience was going to have, but as it turned out, it was a great decision. The first band, UVERworld, gave an impressive 70-minute performance that kept the tension high, centered around TAKUYA∞’s spirited performance. The scene when the band and BE:FIRST were invited to join in the performance was an incident that transcended music. The tremendous cheers and the sound of the explosion still remain in my ears today.

It was BE:FIRST’s request to invite UVERworld to perform at the event, which was realized by the passion of SHUNTO, who is an avowed fan of UVERworld. BE:FIRST’s performance, which was filled with the joy of rubbing shoulders with the band of their dreams and the desire for further growth, was truly a performance that fits the word “wholeheartedly” well. Their sharp, athletic movements, gorgeous group dances, and the solid singing ability of each of the seven members. Even UVERworld fans who had never seen the group before applauded wildly during their 70 minutes of all-out running. The friendly atmosphere of the two groups posing for a commemorative photo at the end was unforgettable.

Urban Magic: Enjoying the Positive Energy All the Way Back

After the show, I headed home by passing through the “MARKET FIELD” once more. From the direction of the yagura set up in the middle of Keyaki Promenade, I could hear the “Yellow Submarine Ondo” playing. This was the “Niagara Bon Odori” stage, a collaboration between the Niagara Label, led by Eiichi Ohtaki, and J-WAVE. It was enjoyable to peek at the shops winding down for the day one last time. I ended up buying a cat-themed handkerchief I had noticed yesterday as a souvenir. The “LIVE FIELD” tickets included a special lounge seat for ¥5,000, or a ¥1,000 market voucher for standard tickets, which was a great idea. I saw others using their vouchers before heading home, which seemed like a very good plan.

This year’s ‘INSPIRE TOKYO’ truly clarified what an urban culture festival is all about for me. Music, markets, and food seamlessly blend together, creating a free-spirited and peaceful atmosphere where both free and ticketed experiences are enjoyable. The positive vibe even extends to the journey home. It’s great to have such a festival right in the heart of Tokyo. I hope they host it here again next year. See you next time—Peace & Love.