24-hour boat ride to the World Heritage Site of Ogasawara BONIN ISLAND JAZZ" 10th Anniversary Open call for performers (free of charge for boat fare and accommodation)/First batch of performers announced

2026.04.09 12:00

BONIN ISLAND JAZZ 実行委員会

BONIN ISLAND JAZZ, a music festival held on Chichijima, Ogasawara Islands, a World Natural Heritage site about 24 hours by boat from Takeshiba, Tokyo, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026.

On April 9, the anniversary of the first BONIN ISLAND JAZZ event held on Chichijima, a World Natural Heritage Site, we started accepting applications from the public for performers, who will receive free round-trip transportation (Ogasawara Maru) between Takeshiba and Chichijima and free accommodation on the island.

Saxophonist Motoharu Motoharu (ex-SOIL&"PIMP "SESSIONS, etc.) and trumpet player Wataru Oyama (ex-PE'Z, etc.) have been selected as the first performers.

開催告知画像

Images of the event announcement

2016お祭り広場ステージ

2016 Festival Square Stage

BONIN ISLAND JAZZ" is a music festival held in the Ogasawara Islands, where there are no air routes.

The only access to the islands is by a 24-hour boat trip on the Ogasawara Maru, a liner that operates once every six days from Takeshiba, Tokyo. The festival is an opportunity for music, people, and nature to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere in a place that is not easily accessible to visitors.

This event is not a festival to be "consumed" as a tourist attraction, but a place where music is played in connection with island life, and has been nurtured by many islanders, visitors, and volunteers. The experience of the festival, including not only the time spent at the venue but also the boat ride to and from the festival, has left a lasting impression on many participants as a "6-day festival trip.

This year, the 10th anniversary of the festival, we will continue to accept applications from the public for performers, inviting professionals, amateurs, and people of all ages and genres. In the future, we also plan to invite applications from the public for various ways to be involved in the festival, such as design and management, and will gradually expand the festival as a festival where people can not only "watch" but also "be involved. Selected performers will receive free round-trip boat transportation (Ogasawara Maru) between Takeshiba and Chichijima as well as accommodation on Chichijima.

As the first batch of performers, saxophonist Motoharu and trumpet player Wataru Oyama have been selected as headliners. The headliners will consist of up to five performers, and other members will be announced as they become available.

The BONIN ISLAND JAZZ is a place that is not easy to get to, which is why it creates such an intense time and relationship with the people there.

BONIN ISLAND JAZZ will continue to move forward with the island, not only as a place to "listen" to music, but also as an experience to "create" with the people who gather there.

2018パッションSTAGE

2018 Passion STAGE

2023前浜エリア

2023 Maehama Area

No travel and accommodation fees are charged.

Open to: Professionals, amateurs, any age, any genre of music

Description of Application：BONIN ISLAND JAZZ 2026 Special Quota Performers

　　　　　Both self-recommendations and recommendations are accepted.

　　　　　(In case of recommendation by others, you must have their approval at the time of application,

　　　　　 Contact information must be clearly indicated)

Selection: Screening by the Executive Committee and the Music Director

Number of applicants: 2 (tentative)

Support details: ・Free round-trip boat ride (Ogasawara Maru) between Takeshiba and Chichijima (to be arranged and paid for by the organizer)

　　　　　Free accommodation on Chichijima (to be arranged and paid for by the organizer)

　　　　　Food and beverage expenses are to be borne by the participants.

How to apply: Application form https://forms.gle/5XoVQD8xM36EaqDz7

Application period: April 9 - May 21, 2026, 24:00 deadline

The organizer will cover the cost of travel and accommodation. Other performance slots will be announced in the future.

Outline of the event

Event name: BONIN ISLAND JAZZ 2026 -10th Anniversary

Dates: Friday, November 13 - Wednesday, November 18, 2026

　　　　　　(11/13 from Takeshiba, 11/14 from Chichijima, 11/17 from Chichijima, 11/18 from Takeshiba)

Venue: Chichijima, Ogasawara Village, Tokyo (Festival Plaza, etc.)

Contents :

A music experience throughout the entire stay, centered on outdoor live performances, workshops, exchange programs, and onboard events. In addition, the program offers a multifaceted experience of the charms of the Ogasawara Islands through food and drink stalls run by island businesses, sales of handicrafts, a 100-piece band featuring island songs, a soundscape journey to enjoy nature and culture by freely touring the island, and environmental projects. In addition, as part of the 10th anniversary project, a digest video looking back on the progress to date will be screened and a photo exhibition will be held.

Music Director : Wataru Oyama

Sponsor ：BONIN ISLAND JAZZ Executive Committee

2017集合写真

2017 group photo

2025年1月スペシャルライブ

Special live concert in January 2025

Artists (first batch)

Motoharu / MOTOHARU

元晴 / MOTOHARU

Motoharu / MOTOHARU

Motoharu Motoharu is a saxophonist, ex-SOIL&"PIMP "SESSIONS and others.

After graduating from Berklee College of Music, he has been active both in Japan and abroad, and has performed in over 33 countries on 5 continents.

In addition to his solo and band activities, he has toured abroad, including South America and the Caribbean, performed at major festivals, and made numerous media appearances, including NHK's "Top Runner" and the Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Wataru Ohyama

大山渉 / Wataru Ohyama