Three-day festival offers language-independent comedy for international visitors, theater performances and international circus auditions in central Osaka
Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee will hold OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 for three days from Saturday, October 10, through Monday, October 12, 2026, at Namba Square and SPACE14 on the 14th floor of Shinsaibashi PARCO in central Osaka. Free street performances will be held at Namba Square throughout the three-day festival, while theater performances centered on nonverbal comedy will offer entertainment that can be enjoyed by visitors from Japan and overseas alike.
Osaka has developed a distinctive performing arts culture that includes manzai comedy and rakugo storytelling, and laughter has become one of the defining cultural characteristics of the city. The festival presents Osaka’s unique comedy culture through nonverbal performances centered on physical expression, enabling visitors from Japan and around the world to enjoy the shows across language barriers.
About OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026
“From Osaka to the World” — Building on the momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Building on the heightened domestic and international interest generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee is implementing the Osaka International Cultural Arts Project to promote the appeal of Osaka’s culture and arts in Japan and overseas.
The project aims to strengthen Osaka’s appeal as a destination and encourage sustained visitation through cultural and tourism exchange.
As part of this initiative, OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 promotes the concept of creating “a bridge from Osaka to the world.” Producers from around the world will be invited to the festival, creating opportunities for Osaka-based performers to take their work onto the international stage.
Performers with international experience, including a “Britain’s Got Talent” finalist
Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura (TONY) reached the finals of the popular British talent competition Britain’s Got Talent in 2023. WES-P has also appeared in the “Got Talent” series in more than 10 countries and regions and has built a career performing outside Japan.
THE TOKYO IDIOTS, featuring TONY, WES-P, and Koikuchi Ichikawa (GASSY), also have international performance experience, including an appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s leading comedy and fringe festivals, in 2026.
The festival will also feature performers with international experience in language-independent entertainment, including the nonverbal duo GABEZ, who participated in the sports pictogram performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Event Information
(1) Free performances at Namba Square throughout the three-day festival
Namba Square is a pedestrian plaza located in the heart of Minami, one of Osaka’s best-known entertainment and shopping districts. Located in front of Nankai Namba Station, it is directly accessible from Kansai International Airport via the Nankai Line, while Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are also within walking distance.
A wide range of performers from across Japan, particularly street performers from Osaka and the Kansai region, will gather at Namba Square to present performances that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and nationalities.
“STREET PERFORMANCE”
Dates: October 10 (Sat.)–12 (Mon., national holiday), 2026, 10:00–17:00
Performers: GABEZ; THE TOKYO IDIOTS (Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura (TONY), Koikuchi Ichikawa (GASSY), WES-P); Akira Ishida of NON STYLE; and others
Venue: Namba Square
Admission: Free
Two theater programs at SPACE14 featuring nonverbal comedy and a traditional yose-style variety format
CHALLENGE is a nonverbal comedy production written, directed, and produced by Akira Ishida of NON STYLE.
Ishida has performed internationally, including at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, one of the world’s largest comedy and fringe festivals. Drawing on that experience, CHALLENGE incorporates elements of traditional Japanese culture, including Japanese stage combat, known as tate, into a language-independent comedy production designed to be enjoyed by children, adults, and visitors from overseas.
“CHALLENGE”
Date: October 10 (Sat.), 2026
① Doors open 15:30 / Show 16:00 / End 17:00
② Doors open 18:30 / Show 19:00 / End 20:00
Director: Akira Ishida of NON STYLE
Performers: Akira Ishida of NON STYLE; Uematsu; Kawabata Choice; Ayuna Ogata; WES-P; So Kubota; Zoomadanke
Admission: Advance ¥3,000 / Door ¥3,500 (tax included; reserved seating)
Tickets: On sale from 10:00 on Saturday, August 22, 2026
Venue: SPACE14
The “SKIT COMEDY SHOW” features performers specializing in nonverbal entertainment as well as comedians incorporating English into their acts. Presented in a variety-show format inspired by yose, Japan’s traditional comedy theater, the show is designed to be enjoyed regardless of language or cultural background.
“SKIT COMEDY SHOW”
Date: October 11 (Sun.), 2026
Doors open 12:00 / Show 12:30 / End 13:30
Performers: WES-P; Yowaki Kinoshita; Yuji Kiyokawa; The Plan 9 (Kyokun, Kovansan); Zoomadanke; Chance Osaki; Batahari; BICORN!; Yuna Takatori
MC: CRAZY COCO
Writer: Saikawa
Admission: Advance ¥2,500 / Door ¥3,000 (tax included; reserved seating)
Tickets: On sale from 10:00 on Saturday, August 22, 2026
Venue: SPACE14
(2) “From Osaka to the World”: Cirque du Soleil auditions and Japan selection for an international competition
As a collaborative program of OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026, Cirque du Soleil Casting will hold workshops and auditions in Osaka.
The program will provide performers with an opportunity to showcase their talents directly to an internationally experienced casting team. The judging panel will include Charlie Burrows of Cirque du Soleil Casting. The initiative is designed to create a pathway for performers to take their talents from Osaka onto the international stage.
“Clown Workshop & Audition”
Dates: October 7 (Wed.) and 8 (Thu.), 9:00–16:00
Capacity: Approximately 30 participants
Participation: Free
Organizer: Cirque du Soleil Casting
Advance application is required. Applications close at 23:59 on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Details and application procedures are available on the OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 official website.
“Circus Act Audition”
Date: October 9 (Fri.), 9:00–16:00
Capacity: Approximately 30 participants
Participation: Free
Organizer: Cirque du Soleil Casting
Advance application is required. Applications close at 23:59 on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Details and application procedures are available on the OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 official website.
In partnership with OnlineCircus, which combines support for performers seeking opportunities on the international stage with social contribution initiatives, the festival will also host a performance that will serve as the Japan selection event for WCAC (World Circus Arts Championship).
The Grand Prix winner will earn the right to compete in WCAC, with the event aiming to become a gateway through which leading Japanese performers can take their careers from Osaka to the international stage.
The judging panel will include circus buyers and industry professionals from around the world, including Charlie Burrows of Cirque du Soleil Casting, as well as representatives from VIVA Fest and Spiegelworld.
OnlineCircus presents “NEXT GATE OSAKA 2026”
Date: October 12 (Mon., national holiday), 2026
Doors open 12:00 / Show 13:00 / End 14:30
Venue: SPACE14
Performers: Performers who passed the NEXT GATE application screening, and others
Guest: Batahari
Admission:
Adults (high school students and older): Advance ¥4,000 / Door ¥4,500
Children (junior high school students and younger): Advance ¥2,000 / Door ¥2,500
Online streaming: ¥2,000, available through OnlineCircus
Awards: Cirque du Soleil Casting Award and others
Organizer: OnlineCircus
In cooperation with: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee, and Cirque du Soleil Casting
Tickets: On sale from 10:00 on Saturday, August 22, 2026
Ticket Information
Advance tickets are available through the following ticketing platforms:
Ticket Pia: Ticket Pia [P Code: 560-060]
Lawson Ticket: Lawson Ticket [L Code: 56071]
e+ (Eplus): e+ (Eplus)
FANY Ticket: FANY Ticket
JTR: JTR
KKday: KKday
Event Overview
Event: OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026
Dates: October 10 (Sat.)–12 (Mon., national holiday), 2026
Venues:
Street performances: Namba Square (5-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
Theater performances: SPACE14 (14F, Shinsaibashi PARCO, 1-8-3 Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
Organizers: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Osaka Cultural Arts Project Executive Committee
Official websites: OSAKA COMEDY FESTIVAL 2026 official website / Osaka International Cultural Arts Project event page
Official social media:
X: @osaka_comedyfes
Instagram: @osaka_comedy_festival
For Media and Business Partners
Inquiries regarding media coverage, editorial features, television programs and digital content, inclusion in travel products, visitor referrals, ticket sales, and content partnerships are welcome through the contact below.
Inquiries are also welcome from overseas media organizations, travel agencies, OTAs, tour operators, DMCs, tourism boards, and entertainment and content businesses.
Contact
For performance-related inquiries:
FANY Ticket Inquiry Dial
TEL: 0570-550-100 (10:00–19:00)
For business, media, and partnership inquiries:
Osaka Cultural Arts Project Operations Office
TEL: 03-6823-8848 (Weekdays 10:00–19:00)
Email: pr@apocc.co.jp
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