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; cancelled)
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 was to be held overseas for the first time, with dates in both Yokohama, Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia.[3][4] However, the Indonesian leg was cancelled a few days prior to the festival.

Background

The festival started as a band project, with Asian Kung-Fu Generation becoming familiar with artists from outside Japan and had formed an idea to perform together. Gotoh stated that he wanted their music to reach audiences beyond just Japanese listeners, and so the festival was created to "bridge that gap".[5]

Name origin

"Nano" comes from the unit prefix nano, which Gotoh described as the smallest unit he and the band knew at the time.[5] "Mugen" comes from the Japanese word 無限 (mugen) meaning "infinite" or "eternal". This means that the title is an oxymoron.

According to Gotoh, he had an "image of something expanding endlessly from the smallest point" and therefore is "a title about expanding from the smallest unit to a place beyond measure."[5]

Festival history

NANO-MUGEN FES. (Shinjuku LOFT)

The first Nano-Mugen Fes. was held at Shinjuku LOFT on August 11, 2003. It was a single day festival featuring five total acts.[6]

Date Venue Artists
August 11 Shinjuku LOFT

NANO-MUGEN FES. (Yokohama CLUB24)

The second festival was held on December 17, 2003 at Yokohama CLUB24.[6]

Date Venue Artists
December 17 Yokohama CLUB24
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • STRAIGHTENER
  • TELSTAR (band)
  • FREEZER NOISE

NANO-MUGEN FES. in Budokan

The third festival was held on July 1, 2004 at Nippon Budokan.[6]

Date Venue Artists
July 1 Nippon Budokan

NANO-MUGEN FES. in OSAKA

The fourth festival was held on August 9, 2004 at Osaka Namba Hatch.[6] It is the first edition to feature international acts.

Date Venue Artists
August 9 Osaka Namba Hatch

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2005

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation

2005 was the first festival to he held at new permanent venue Yokohama Arena, and the first to feature a compilation album.[7]

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

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation 2006

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
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • The Rentals (US)
  • Silver Sun (UK)
  • Beat Crusaders
  • Straightener
  • HiGE
Acoustic
&
DJ Stage

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2008

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation 2008

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.[8]

The festival returned to Yokohama Arena in 2008, once again for two days.[9]

Dates Venue Performers
July 20 Yokohama Arena
July 21

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2009

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation 2009

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.[10]

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)

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.[11]

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

In lieu of a full festival in 2010, the band instead hosted a tour with stops in four cities across Japan.[12]

Dates City Venue Performers
July 21 Hiroshima Hiroshima Club Quattro
July 23 Yokohama Yokohama BLITZ
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ra Ra Riot (US)
  • MOWMOW LULU GYABAN
July 24 Tokyo Zepp Tokyo
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ra Ra Riot (US)
  • 環ROY
  • 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
  • DJ Dawa (Flake Records)
  • TORA (8otto)

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2011

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

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation 2011

Nano-Mugen returned to Yokohama Arena as a two-day festival.[13]

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

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2012

Held in four cities across Japan.[14]

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

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2012

See also: Nano-Mugen Compilation 2012
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
  • Space Cowboy (UK)
  • 80kidz
Acoustic Stage
  • Motion City Soundtrack (US)
  • Rina Kitahara
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

  • Phonotones

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2013

Held in six cities across Japan.[15]

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

2014 was to be the final annual Nano-Mugen Festival, and the most recently released compilation album.[16]

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
  • 猪股 and the guitar
  • Ai Iwasaki
  • Ropes (duo)
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

  • Arisa Safu
  • Hi, how are you?
  • Yasu Nakajima (BIGNOUN)
July 13 Band Stage
Electric Stage
  • The Young Punx (UK)
  • It's a Musical (DE & SE)
Ken's Cafe
  • Rina Katahira
  • Riki Kinoshita (ART-SCHOOL)
  • YeYe (musician)
kiyoshi's bar

GUESTReALM

  • Isobe Masafumi (HUSKING BEE)
  • Kat McDowell
  • Ogawa Kota and Tomason

NANO-MUGEN FES. 2025

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.[17] The second wave was announced on 10 March 2025, along with the first wave of artists to appear in Jakarta.[18]

On 19 May, festival organisers announced the cancellation of the Indonesian leg of the festival.[19]

Dates City Venue Performers
May 24 (cancelled) Jakarta, Indonesia Ecopark Ancol
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ellegarden
  • Homecomings
  • KANA-BOON
May 25 (cancelled)
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Beck (US)
  • Quruli
  • Regallily
May 31 Yokohama, Japan K-Arena Yokohama
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Ellegarden
  • Straightener
  • Voice of Baceprot (IDN)
  • Special Others (Acoustic)
  • Fountains of Wayne (US)
  • Hovvdy (US)
  • Nick Moon (UK)
  • The Young Punx (UK)
June 1
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • Beck (US)
  • The Adams (IDN)
  • Quruli
  • YeYe
  • Fountains of Wayne (US)
  • Hovvdy (US)
  • Nick Moon (UK)
  • The Young Punx (UK)

NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2025

On the first day of Nano-Mugen Fes. 2025 in Yokohama, it was revealed that Nano-Mugen Circuit would return, this time as a "split tour" between ASH and Asian Kung-Fu Generation.[20]

Dates City Venue Performers
October 14 Fukuoka Zepp Fukuoka
  • Asian Kung-Fu Generation
  • ASH
October 16 Osaka Zepp Osaka Bayside
October 17 Nagoya Zepp Nagoya
October 20 Sendai SENDAI GIGS
October 21 Yokohama KT Zepp Yokohama

References

  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 a-indie (2025-05-22). "Gotoh (AKG) on Nano-Mugen's Return & Asian Music". Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  6. ^ a b c d "History | NANO-MUGEN FES.2011 | English". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  7. ^ "（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.
  8. ^ "NANO-MUGEN FES". www.sonymusic.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "MANIC STREET PREACHERS Information of Performance Cancellation and Ticket refund". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  11. ^ "NANO-MUGEN FES.2009". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  12. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2010 - SCHEDULE-". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT2012". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  15. ^ "NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2013". www.nano-mugenfes.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "Official Announcement: Cancellation of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN FES. 2025 in JAKARTA". NANO-MUGEN FES. Indonesia 2025. 2025-05-19. Archived from the original on 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  20. ^ "ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN CIRCUIT 2025『ASH × AKG Split tour』". www.nano-mugenfes.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-05-31.
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