Fujii Kaze Pilgrimage Guide: From a Piano-Only Stadium Show to the Domes

Nissan Stadium in Yokohama is where Fujii Kaze streamed a concert with no audience, singing with only a grand piano. Three years later, he performed at the same venue in front of an audience.

This guide visits ten places, from Nippon Budokan in the year of his debut to arenas, stadiums, and domes in Japan. Follow the settings of his performances while learning about the music he played at each show, from a piano-only stage to performances with a band.

Ten places, from the piano-only livestream to the domes

1Nippon Budokan | NAN-NAN SHOW 2020, October 29, 2020

Nippon Budokan in Kitanomaru Park is a martial arts landmark, crowned by a large roof that curves like the slopes of Mount Fuji. It was completed in September 1964 and hosted judo, which made its Olympic debut as an official sport at the Tokyo Games that year.

On October 29, 2020, Fujii Kaze held his solo concert Fujii Kaze ‘NAN-NAN SHOW 2020’ HELP EVER HURT NEVER at the Budokan. The show was named after his first album, HELP EVER HURT NEVER, released in May of his debut year. The album title means ‘Always help, never hurt.’

The concert had an audience, but strict measures were in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The performance lasted about 90 minutes, with a 15-minute ventilation break midway. Seats were arranged in a checkerboard pattern; talking and cheering were prohibited, and merchandise was not sold at the venue. Fujii sang solo at the piano through ‘Kaze yo’ in the first half. The band joined for the second half, opening with ‘Nannan w’; the show closed with ‘Kaerou.’

Real Sound reports that the concert was arranged around July or August of that year. The Budokan usually requires bookings more than a year in advance, but a date opened up when the Tokyo Olympics were postponed, making the concert possible on short notice. In bonus footage for the video release, Fujii’s manager said so many listeners had said the album ‘saved’ them that they wondered whether seeing him perform might help even more people.

The concert was announced for a spring 2021 video release on Christmas Eve that year. Late on December 24, a highlight reel premiered on YouTube. Fujii wrote, ‘This Budokan video is a little Christmas present.’

Location

2-3 Kitanomaru Park, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Connection to the artist

Solo concert NAN-NAN SHOW 2020, October 29, 2020

Nearest station

Five-minute walk from Kudanshita Station (Exit 2) on the Tokyo Metro Tozai and Hanzomon lines and the Toei Shinjuku Line

Sources:Pia | Budokan concert video release and highlight premiere
Nippon Budokan | Purpose and history
Real Sound | Review of the Budokan concert video release
Official Fujii Kaze site | Profile
Nippon Budokan | Access

2Nissan Stadium | Piano-only livestream and a two-day concert for 140,000

In September 2021, Fujii Kaze held Fujii Kaze ‘Free’ Live 2021 at NISSAN stadium without an audience. According to his official profile, he wanted to open people’s hearts through music during the pandemic, so he sang and played only a grand piano at the 70,000-seat stadium. The concert was streamed live on YouTube, where about 180,000 people watched at the same time.

The video remains on his official channel. It begins with ‘Natsu no Kaori,’ a summer version of ‘Tsumi no Kaori,’ then continues with ‘Kirari,’ ‘Moeyo,’ ‘Shinunoga E-Wa,’ ‘Kaerou,’ ‘Seishun Sick,’ and ‘Tabiji,’ before closing with his debut song, ‘Nannan w.’

On August 24 and 25, 2024, he returned to the same venue for Fujii Kaze Stadium Live ‘Feelin’ Good,’ drawing 140,000 people over two days. The first day was livestreamed worldwide, including in Japan, on YouTube; the video is still available on his official channel. It was his first domestic concert in about a year and a half and his largest solo show to date.

Before the show, a ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’ segment on the screen showed audience members’ faces. After children in the family section, the camera picked out Fujii himself sitting among the crowd, prompting a loud reaction. He then walked to the grand piano at the center of the field and played ‘Summer Grace.’

During an early MC, he said, ‘Thank you so much for coming in this heat,’ then told people watching the livestream, ‘I’m here at everyone’s concert today, too.’

Just as he turned ‘Tsumi no Kaori’ into ‘Natsu no Kaori’ for the 2021 no-audience livestream, he reshaped ‘grace’ into a summer song here. ARIWA and Emoh Les joined him on vocals for his first live performance of ‘Hana.’ He invited the audience to clap along to ‘Garden,’ then asked them during ‘Tokunai’ to ‘throw all your negativity up into the sky over Nissan Stadium and leave it there.’

For ‘Kirari,’ he performed with five dancers and chairs; ‘Kiri ga Naikara’ featured robot dancing. He rode a bicycle around the arena perimeter during ‘Sayonara Baby’ and played a solo on shoulder keyboard for ‘Moeyo.’

After ‘Kaze yo’ and ‘Lonely Rhapsody,’ his first songs performed with a band since his debut, he moved from a cover of Shonan no Kaze’s ‘Koi Shigure’ into ‘Shinunoga E-Wa.’ Fujii then appeared playing saxophone before launching into ‘Workin’ Hard.’ In his final MC, he said, ‘Let’s be friends, all of us—please remember that,’ and closed the concert with ‘Matsuri,’ accompanied by flames and fireworks.

Location

3300 Kozukuecho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Connection to the artist

The no-audience Free Live in September 2021; Feelin’ Good on August 24 and 25, 2024 (140,000 over two days)

Nearest stations

Shin-Yokohama Station on the JR and Yokohama Municipal Subway lines; Kozukue Station on the JR Yokohama Line

Sources:Official Fujii Kaze site | Profile
Real Sound | Report on the Nissan Stadium concert
Real Sound | Report on the Nissan Stadium concert, part 2
Real Sound | Nissan Stadium concert video release

3Yoyogi National Gymnasium, First Gymnasium | Finale of his first arena tour

Yoyogi National Gymnasium’s First Gymnasium in Shibuya is a venue with a suspended roof that curves upward toward the sky. Fujii Kaze’s first arena tour, Fujii Kaze ‘HELP EVER ARENA TOUR,’ began at Yokohama Arena on October 2, 2021. It visited Osaka-jō Hall on October 16 and 17, Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A on October 23 and 24, and World Memorial Hall in Kobe on November 11 and 12, before concluding here on November 28.

Of the 11 shows in five cities, three were held at Yoyogi on November 25, 27, and 28. The 16-song set list posted on the official site began with ‘Kaze yo,’ continued with ‘Moeyo’ and ‘Sayonara Baby,’ and closed with ‘Tabiji.’

The final concert was released on Blu-ray on June 14, 2022. It also includes the approximately 91-minute documentary Documentary ‘HEAT,’ which follows the tour from rehearsals through the final show. ‘Kirari’ from this concert was released on the official channel as a live video directed by Kento Yamada. The band—TAIKING, Katsuhiro Mafune, and Nobuhide Saji—performed with six dancers.

Location

2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo

Connection to the artist

Final concert of HELP EVER ARENA TOUR, his first arena tour, on November 28, 2021

Nearest station

About a five-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Line

What to see

The suspended-roof exterior, designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2021, can be seen from the surrounding area even on days without concerts.

Sources:Music Natalie | Contents of the HELP EVER ARENA TOUR Blu-ray
Official Fujii Kaze site | HELP EVER ARENA TOUR dates and set lists
Official Fujii Kaze YouTube | ‘Kirari’ Live at Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium
Real Sound | SMILE POP! tour finale and First Gymnasium’s designation as an Important Cultural Property

4Tokyo International Forum, Hall A | First Kohaku appearance: from his family home to the venue

The 72nd NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2021, was broadcast live from Tokyo International Forum in place of NHK Hall, which was under renovation. Making his first appearance, Fujii Kaze first performed ‘Kirari’ from his family home in Satosho, Okayama, singing while playing a keyboard on his lap.

The video then cut to the venue, where he appeared onstage in the same outfit and sang ‘Moeyo’ at the grand piano in the center of the stage. Hosts Yo Oizumi and Haruna Kawaguchi had not been told about the staging either.

Tokyo International Forum opened in January 1997 on the site of the former Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. It is right in front of Yurakucho Station, and Hall A seats 5,012. The glass building and plaza are open for visitors to walk through even when no performance is scheduled.

Location

3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Connection to the artist

First appearance at the 72nd Kohaku Uta Gassen, December 31, 2021 (‘Kirari’ and ‘Moeyo’)

Nearest stations

One-minute walk from Yurakucho Station and five-minute walk from Tokyo Station on the JR Line

Sources:Modelpress | Staging from the family home during the Kohaku broadcast
Toyo Keizai Online | Even the show’s hosts did not know about the staging
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | Tokyo International Forum seating capacity
Tokyo International Forum | 20th anniversary of opening

5NHK Hall | ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ at the 2022 Kohaku

When the Kohaku returned to NHK Hall in Shibuya for the first time in two years in 2022, Fujii Kaze appeared for the second time and sang ‘Shinunoga E-Wa.’ The song, from his first album, spread on social media in July 2022, especially in Thailand, and became a global hit.

According to his official profile, the song appeared on Spotify’s daily Viral Charts in 73 countries and regions, and reached number one in 23 of them. It also remained on YouTube’s Global Top 40 for 12 consecutive weeks. Modelpress called it ‘the most-listened-to Japanese song in the world in 2022.’

At Kohaku, Fujii sat at the grand piano under red lights and began playing slowly with his right hand. As the intro began, he stood with a microphone, swayed as he sang, and walked forward. It was his first time singing the song on television. At the 75th Kohaku in 2024, he appeared in a live broadcast walking through New York City while singing ‘Michi Teyu Ku.’

Location

2-2-1 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo

Connection to the artist

Performed ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ at the 73rd Kohaku Uta Gassen on December 31, 2022

Nearest stations

About a 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station and 15-minute walk from Shibuya Station on the JR Line

Sources:Real Sound | Song selection for the 73rd Kohaku
Modelpress | ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ at the 73rd Kohaku
Official Fujii Kaze site | Profile
All About News | Staging at the 75th Kohaku

6Panasonic Stadium Suita | First music concerts at the stadium, in front of 70,000

Panasonic Stadium Suita, near Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita, Osaka, is a soccer-specific stadium that opened in 2015. On October 15 and 16, 2022, Fujii Kaze held LOVE ALL SERVE ALL STADIUM LIVE here. It was the first music concert at the stadium and also his first outdoor concert with an audience. The two shows drew 70,000 people.

His band included TAIKING of Suchmos on guitar, Katsuhiro Mafune on bass, Nobuhide Saji on drums, and Yaffle on keyboards. The arena floor was divided into six blocks named after vegetables. Entry times were staggered by block, with names such as ‘Daikon and Carrot’ and ‘Pumpkin and Lotus Root.’

At this soccer-specific stadium, which has no running track, the distance from the front row of the stands to the touchline is about seven meters. According to a staff diary, they chose a venue that would feel ‘close’ to first-time visitors without making longtime concertgoers feel that Fujii had ‘gone far away.’

The doors opened at 3:00 p.m., and the concert began at 5:00, while it was still light. It was an outdoor performance where the sun set as the music played, with the show scheduled to end at 7:00 p.m. At times, as many as 16 dancers appeared; more than 20 people, including the musicians, were onstage together. Near the finale, the dancers gathered for a celebratory close, moving from ‘Moeyo’ into ‘Matsuri.’

Fujii Kaze alone at home Tour 2022, his nationwide tour from spring to summer that year, centered on piano-and-vocal performances. At Suita, however, he spent most of the show singing and dancing with a microphone in hand. It was the opposite approach from the piano-only concert without an audience at Nissan Stadium the previous year. Directed by Kento Yamada, who also worked on the staging, the concert film was released worldwide on Netflix on March 10, 2023. The finale, ‘Matsuri,’ is also available on Fujii’s official YouTube channel.

This was around the time ‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ began gaining listeners around the world. The following month, Fujii became the first Japanese artist to surpass 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Location

3-3 Senri Banpakukoen, Suita, Osaka

Connection to the artist

LOVE ALL SERVE ALL STADIUM LIVE, the stadium’s first music concert, held October 15 and 16, 2022 (70,000 people over two days)

Nearest station

About a 15-minute walk from Banpaku-kinen-koen Station on the Osaka Monorail. There is no dedicated parking lot.

Sources:Official Fujii Kaze site | LOVE ALL SERVE ALL STADIUM LIVE information
Real Sound | Netflix concert film and venue selection
Real Sound | Suita concert finale and outdoor staging
Official Fujii Kaze YouTube | ‘Matsuri’ Live at Panasonic Stadium Suita
Official Panasonic Stadium Suita | Access

7Sekisui Heim Super Arena | Opening night of the nationwide LOVE ALL ARENA TOUR

Sekisui Heim Super Arena is a gymnasium in Grandy 21 (Miyagi Prefectural Sports Park) in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture. Its official name is Miyagi Prefectural Sports Park General Gymnasium. Fujii Kaze’s nationwide arena tour, Fujii Kaze ‘LOVE ALL ARENA TOUR,’ opened here on December 17 and 18, 2022.

After the new year, the tour visited Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A, Saitama Super Arena, Port Messe Nagoya’s New Exhibition Hall 1, and Sundome Fukui in January. In February, he performed at Asty Tokushima and Osaka-jō Hall, then concluded the 16-show tour across eight cities at Yokohama Arena on February 14 and 15.

His second album, LOVE ALL SERVE ALL, released in March 2022, means ‘Love all, serve all.’ It and his first album both reached No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s overall album chart.

Location

40-1 Aza-Tate, Sugaya, Rifu, Miyagi District, Miyagi (Grandy 21)

Connection to the artist

Opening show of the nationwide LOVE ALL ARENA TOUR on December 17, 2022

Access

Take a bus from Rifu Station on the JR Tohoku Main Line. Dedicated shuttle buses may run from Sendai Station, depending on the event.

Sources:Fashion Press | 2022–23 nationwide arena tour dates
Official Fujii Kaze site | Profile
Lawson Ticket Travel | Access to Sekisui Heim Super Arena

8Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka | Start of the domestic dates on the Prema World Tour

In September 2025, Fujii Kaze released his third album, Prema, with all songs sung in English. The title means ‘supreme love.’ The Prema World Tour, celebrating the album, is planned to begin in Asia in autumn 2026, then continue to Europe and North America in summer 2027.

In Asia, other announced tour stops include National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan (October 31, 2026) and Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea (January 9, 2027). The December 26, 2026 concert at Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, was canceled.

Before the world tour, the Pre: Prema Tour arena dates took place from July to August 2026: Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena in Sapporo on July 16 and 17, Hiroshima Green Arena on July 28 and 29, and Sundome Fukui on August 4 and 5.

The domestic dome dates are scheduled to begin at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka on November 14 and 15, 2026. The retractable-roof dome is in Jigyohama facing Hakata Bay; the concert dates had already been announced in December 2025.

Location

2-2-2 Jigyohama, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka

Connection to the artist

Fukuoka dates on the Prema World Tour, November 14 and 15, 2026

Nearest station

About a 15-minute walk from Tojinmachi Station (Exit 3) on the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line

Sources:THE FIRST TIMES | Japan dates for the Prema World Tour
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks | Directions to the dome

9Kyocera Dome Osaka | Three Osaka shows in December

The Osaka dates on the Prema World Tour are scheduled for December 10, 12, and 13, 2026, at Kyocera Dome Osaka. The dome has a silver roof with a rippling edge and is right next to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station on the Osaka Metro.

Four years after his 2022 stadium concert in Suita, Fujii will return to a large Osaka venue. General lottery applications for the Sapporo, Hiroshima, and Fukui arena concerts and the three domestic dome venues opened on April 24, 2026.

Location

3-chome, Naka 2-1 Chiyozaki, Nishi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka

Connection to the artist

Osaka dates on the Prema World Tour, December 10, 12, and 13, 2026

Nearest stations

Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station on the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line; Dome-mae Station on the Hanshin Namba Line

Sources:THE FIRST TIMES | Japan dates for the Prema World Tour

10Tokyo Dome | Final venue for the domestic dome dates

The domestic dome dates are scheduled to conclude at Tokyo Dome on December 19 and 20, 2026. The tour is then set to continue across Asia and reach Europe and North America in summer 2027.

About a month earlier, Fujii Kaze’s Piano Recital is also scheduled for November 20 and 21 at Tokyo Dome. Centered on the piano-and-vocal performances that were his starting point, the shows will feature songs from his first album, HELP EVER HURT NEVER, through Prema, performed with only a piano and his voice.

The announced set includes ‘Shinunoga E-Wa,’ ‘Kirari,’ ‘Michi Teyu Ku,’ and ‘Prema.’ The November 20 show is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. and the November 21 show at 6:00 p.m. The piano-only style he showed at the no-audience Nissan Stadium concert in 2021 will now be heard at a dome with an audience.

Six years after his 2020 Budokan concert, the journey that began with his debut music video has reached Tokyo Dome.

Location

1-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Connection to the artist

Fujii Kaze Piano Recital, November 20 and 21, 2026; Tokyo dates on the Prema World Tour, December 19 and 20

Nearest stations

JR Suidobashi Station and Tokyo Metro Korakuen Station

Sources:THE FIRST TIMES | Japan dates for the Prema World Tour
Fashion Press | Fujii Kaze’s piano recital at Tokyo Dome

Fujii Kaze’s career and his hometown, Satosho

From growing up in Satosho, Okayama, to reaching the world through YouTube

Fujii Kaze is from Satosho, Okayama Prefecture. The town in southwestern Okayama has a population of about 11,000. When he made his first Kohaku appearance in 2021, messages reading ‘Congratulations’ were posted along the JR railway tracks and at supermarket entrances. Support for the town grew, and Satosho’s hometown-tax donations exceeded ¥100 million for the first time.

According to KSB Setonaikai Broadcasting, Fujii Kaze’s autograph was displayed at the town hall. Local shops and residential neighborhoods are where people live and work. Visitors are expected to be considerate and avoid interfering with businesses and residents’ daily lives. This article does not pinpoint particular locations within the town on its map.

From his 2020 debut to stages around the world

He debuted in 2020 with the release of the ‘Nannan w’ music video, then released his first album, HELP EVER HURT NEVER, in May. He is signed to HEHN RECORDS, and both albums reached No. 1 on Billboard Japan’s overall album chart. From June to July 2023, his piano-centered Fujii Kaze and the piano Asia Tour visited seven cities for 11 sold-out shows.

In 2024, his appearance on tiny desk concerts JAPAN drew a global response. From May to June, he played four shows in Los Angeles and New York on his first U.S. tour. From October to December, he also held an arena tour across Asia with 14 shows in 10 cities.

At the first MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, established in 2025, LOVE ALL SERVE ALL won Album of the Year, and Fujii was also named Best Japanese Singer-Songwriter. In July he held his first European tour, followed by his second North American tour in August and October.

In 2026, he became the first Japanese male solo artist to perform at Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals. He sang before an audience of about 18,000 at the Mojave Stage.

The people who have helped shape his live shows

The same band members and video creators have continued working on Fujii Kaze’s live performances for years.

Key milestones in the artist’s career

1. 2020Debuts with the release of the ‘Nannan w’ music videoMusic
2. May 2020First album, HELP EVER HURT NEVERMusic
3. October 29, 2020NAN-NAN SHOW 2020 at Nippon BudokanConcert
4. September 2021Piano-only livestream without an audience at Nissan Stadium (about 180,000 simultaneous viewers)Concert
5. October 2, 2021First arena tour, HELP EVER ARENA TOUR, opens at Yokohama ArenaConcert
6. November 28, 2021Arena-tour finale at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, First GymnasiumConcert
7. December 31, 2021First Kohaku appearance: ‘Kirari’ from his family home and ‘Moeyo’ at the venueMilestone
8. March 2022Second album, LOVE ALL SERVE ALLMusic
9. July 2022‘Shinunoga E-Wa’ spreads around the world, led by ThailandMilestone
10. October 15, 2022First outdoor stadium concert with an audience at Panasonic Stadium Suita (70,000 people over October 15 and 16)Concert
11. December 17, 2022Nationwide arena tour opens at Sekisui Heim Super ArenaConcert
12. June 2023Asia tour: 11 shows in seven citiesConcert
13. August 24, 2024Feelin’ Good at Nissan Stadium (140,000 over two days)Concert
14. September 2025Third album, Prema, sung entirely in EnglishMusic
15. 2026First Japanese male solo artist to perform at CoachellaMilestone
16. November 14, 2026Prema World Tour domestic dates begin at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka (scheduled)Concert
17. November 20, 2026Fujii Kaze Piano Recital at Tokyo Dome (scheduled)Concert
18. December 19, 2026Domestic finale of the Prema World Tour at Tokyo Dome (scheduled)Concert

Field Notes | Business perspective: Consider audience proximity through both venue choice and staging

When staff explained why they chose a soccer-specific stadium for the Suita concert, they cited how close it brought the audience to the stage. At Nissan Stadium, Fujii Kaze himself sat among the audience and rode a bicycle around the perimeter of the arena floor. Both the shape of the building and his movement during the performance were ways to consider the distance between artist and audience.

For event planners, this shows that venue conditions cannot be measured by capacity alone. Combining sightlines from the stands, moments when the artist approaches the audience, and expressions shown on screen can help planners consider what a large-venue experience will feel like. Before using ‘close’ as a promotional claim, they need to design which moments people in each section will see and how they will see them.