Shopping Guide
 featured various attractions including fashion, music, anime and food and was held from Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.)
Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival 2015 in Tokyo (Moshi Fes) featured various attractions including fashion, music, anime and food and was held from Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Across the three days, a total of 25,500 people attended the festival and 162 groups of genre-crossing performers transmitted Japanese pop culture to the outside world. Moshi Fes has travelled through eight foreign cities this year including London, Paris, Bangkok, and San Francisco before finally making its triumphant homecoming to Tokyo. The festival took on different themes each day to welcome visitors to the venue.
The theme for day 1, Friday, Nov. 6, was “Moshi Ani.” Inspired by traditional Japanese festivals, the event began with taiko drumming and flute music before the unique sounds of Hachioji-P, Luna Haruna, Nagi Yanagi, and May’n among others were heard. The anime- and Vocaloid-themed stage continued to unfold with the appearance of the new unit livetune+ as well as World Cosplay Summit and other groups. Sid performed as the closing act and, including their new song “Hyoryu,” dyed the venue with their individual style through their unstoppably fast-paced tunes.
The second day, Saturday, Nov. 7, was titled “Moshi Pop” and aside from live music featured fashion shows, hair arranging, and auditions. Top models including Shiho Takechi, Rina Tanaka, Fumiko Aoyagi, Saki Shibata, and Rinko Murata each took to the spotlight on the catwalk and one by one the flowers bloomed as big name artists such as Dempagumi inc. and Silent Siren among others thronged the stage resplendently. Coming right after Mito Natsume’s song, Golden Bomber appeared as the final act. The kabuki-inspired, samurai-sword-waving performance was the highlight of the event.
The third and final day, Sunday, Nov. 8, was “Moshi Cool” where the representative stars of the Japanese club music scene who are well regarded even overseas battled it out. Kireek kicked things off with a “Buyo” Japanese traditional dance collaboration. Next up, banvox made the whole venue transform with danceable, rhythmic electronic dance music thanks to the clear sound quality and beautiful video jockey visuals. World Order who are extremely popular overseas, charmed the audience with their systematic dance, and m-flo featuring Crystal Kay and Minami (Cream) immediately raised the temperature of the jam-packed hall before passing the baton to Capsule. The sound and light that was emitted from the stage showered the audience with good vibes and Yasutaka Nakata’s glittering world intoxicated the crowd. The final performer of the day was Kyary Pamyu Pamyu! She passionately performed seven hit tunes on the stage which was illuminated with colourful videos and rainbow-coloured lights leading the finale of the three-day festival.
Elsewhere, the Nippon Stage brought together the different facets of Japanese culture. On day 1, Rinne Yoshida and Wa-suta kicked things off, and on day 2 Up Up Girls, Cheeky Parade, Lovely Doll and other popular idols showcased their pretty songs and dances with smiling faces. On the final day, six groups including Cream and Amiaya performed at the Tokyo Pop showcase. The energy in the room reached its climax when today’s most popular acts such as Charisma.com and Suiyoubi no Campanella appeared on the stage.
In addition to the two stages, the free outdoor area offered the festival fair-style activities of yoyo fishing and target practice, plus the opportunity to experience wearing kimono or practicing calligraphy, as well as a food court featuring Niku Fes and Nihon Konamon Association among other vendors. On the Matsuri Stage which was located close to the entrance, a DJ, dance, and Nico Nico Live broadcast plus various other events were put on to welcome visitors to the festival.
Huge Japanese lanterns were displayed around the entrance and main hall further adding to the festival-like mood. The fusion of Japanese traditional and modern pop culture is another of Moshi Fes’ themes. Inside the event hall, there were also free karaoke and hair arranging opportunities, plus booths selling the model goods as well as the opportunity to enjoy mingling with cosplayers and models, so there really were plenty of ways to join in.
In the drizzle that continued from the second day, even more visitors from overseas than were expected visited the event and made an impression taking commemorative photos and taking in the booth experiences on offer. The performers too dressed in kimono, holding folding fans and playing traditional Japanese instruments which added color to the atmosphere that you can only experience at this event.
Japan-born culture is moving onto the world stage. Kawaii, cool, and pop - the many sided charms of Japanese culture are spreading beyond national borders. Looking toward the future, this is the challenge that continues even from now.
Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival 2015 in Tokyo
Dates:
Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015
Venue:
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium - 1-17-1, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Official Site
