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Hip and lively Sangenjaya gets even more vivacious this November with the return of the Sangenjaya Art Music Festival. The third annual neighbourhood-wide cultural celebration extols the area’s vibrant music scene, beloved local businesses and history, with a mission to pass Sangenjaya’s spirit on to the next generation. Rather than being confined to a single venue, the festival encourages attendees to explore the area on foot and discover great food, welcoming people and local culture along the way.
Happening for one day on November 7, the festival centres on four official venues across the neighbourhood, with the main venue located in the car park of the NTT East Setagaya Building. During the day, expect sponsor booths, the official bar and a kids’ e-sports booth to be set up there, along with a stage where you can catch acoustic gigs and DJ sets.
From 1pm, Borrachos Sangenjaya will also open its doors, offering live music ranging from rock to techno and house alongside food and drinks. It's a chance to ease into the evening while enjoying the festival's laid-back atmosphere.
After 6pm, take a breather from the music and explore Sangenjaya’s local bars and restaurants during ‘Open Town Time’, before the nightlife programme kicks off at 8pm. Four venues, Friends Bar & Lounge, Niwar’s Sangenjaya, Ume-chan bar 32016 and Tengu Shokudo, will each showcase their own musical identity, with sounds ranging from hip-hop and world music to house, disco, soul, jazz and funk. There will also be a special paid live show at Heaven’s Door, with capacity limited to 150 people.
The festival brings together around 70 artists, including Jesse (from rock bands Rize and The Bonez), Dabo, Yamaarashi, Rueed, Bark and Osamu M. Across the programme, expect everything from hip-hop and reggae to techno, house and rock.
Entry to the main festival venues is free, with no advance reservations required, although some performances and activities are ticketed. For a night out on the town, join the ‘Sancha Night Loop’, a ticketed bar-hopping experience that takes you to five participating venues for music and drinks. Order the festival’s signature drink, ‘Sancha High’, and collect an original sticker at each stop.
Beyond the music, the festival celebrates the community and culture that make Sangenjaya special, while giving younger visitors a chance to discover the neighbourhood’s local hangouts and helping pass its culture on to the next generation.
All in all, the festival makes a great opportunity to spend a whole day in Sancha, getting to know the cool neighbourhood inside and out. More information, including area maps, schedules, artist line-ups and details of the venue-hopping programme, will be released on the official website.
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