Participating artists announced! The 15th Handmade in Japan Festival 2024, Japan's largest creator festival, promoting Japanese creative culture both domestically and internationally

Eight acts have been confirmed to appear, including Yoshizawa Kayoko, Gusokumuzu, Shin Sakiura, Okamoto Emi, DW Nichols, and DDT Pro-Wrestling.

Creema Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kotaro Marubayashi; hereinafter referred to as Creema), which operates Japan’s largest handmade marketplace “Creema,” has announced the eight artists who will perform at “Handmade in Japan Festival 2024” (hereinafter referred to as HMJ), which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on Saturday, July 20th and Sunday, July 21st, 2024.
・Official website:https://hmj-fes.jp/

A total of eight artists will be performing, including Yoshizawa Kayoko, Gusokumuzu, Shin Sakiura, Okamoto Emi, and DW Nichols.

This time, the artists who have agreed with the philosophy of HMJ and will participate in the “Music & Play Area” have been decided as follows: Emi Okamoto, Gusokumz, Shin Sakiura, Sincere, DW Nichols, Manpuku, and Kayoko Yoshizawa (in alphabetical order). In addition, the cultural wrestling group DDT Pro-Wrestling, which has been livening up every summer HMJ since the first event, has also decided to participate! They will hold street wrestling with the venue as a ring, and will fill the venue with excitement.

[DAY 1: July 20th (Saturday)] Emi Okamoto, Sincere, DW Nichols, DDT Pro-Wrestling

[DAY 2: July 21 (Sun)] Gusokums, Shin Sakiura, Manpuku, Yoshizawa Kayoko

*In alphabetical order

What is the “Handmade in Japan Festival”?

Creators from all over the country will come together to exhibit and sell their original works.“Japan’s largest creator festival”This event supports creators who are passionate about craftsmanship by promoting the unique Japanese creativity and precision of handmade crafts as a creative culture originating in Japan, both domestically and internationally. HMJ, which started at Tokyo Big Sight in 2013 and was organized by Creema, has expanded into one of Japan’s largest festivals for creators, with over 50,000 participants. Since 2019, it has been held twice a year, in summer and winter, and this year will be the 15th time.

The venue will feature a market where creators active throughout the country will exhibit and sell their original works, ranging from fashion items such as accessories and bags to interior items, kitchen items, art, tableware, and handicrafts, as well as workshops where visitors can experience making about 70 different types of items created by traditional craftsmen and popular creators.“Creator Area”There will be a live stage performance by eight artists.Music and play areaA selection of hand-made foods from all over Japan will be gathered here.“Food Area”It is a space where you can experience creativity with all five senses through experiences that can only be had here.

[NEW]Eight noteworthy artists will be performing in the Music & Play Area!

In the “Music & Play Area,” where talented artists will perform live on stage, a total of eight noteworthy artists will take part to liven up the venue.

[DAY 1/Saturday, July 20th]*In alphabetical order

Emi Okamoto

Singer/bassist/songwriter from Itabashi Ward, Tokyo. Height 153cm. A former gal who loves zombies.

While working as a solo singer, he also serves as the main vocalist for Friends. Graduated from Nihon University College of Art. He began his musical career in his teens, serving as the bassist for THE LOVE HUMAN and the vocalist for Button Factory. He began his solo career in earnest in 2014, and after releasing a self-produced EP, he released the mini-album “Strike!” the following year in 2015. He then released the digital single “POOL”. In parallel with his solo activities, he formed the Shinsen-kei band Friends and became more active as Friends. As a vocalist and writer, he has participated in the works of artists from pop to hip-hop to club genres, including Sakai Yu, Sexy Zone, M!LK, Yoshida Rinne, FRONTIER BACKYARD, illmore, DJ HASEBE, PARKGOLF, TSUBAME, fox capture plan, and has expanded his field of activity beyond genres. In 2019, he released his first solo album “gappy”. In 2022, he released his first EP “wwavess”.

Sincere

A singer-songwriter from Hyogo Prefecture. His passion for music began in his childhood, when he would listen to CDs in the car and lip-sync to Prince and Arrested Development. He continued to listen to a wide range of music without being limited to a specific genre, and became obsessed with singing and composing. With a pure and sensitive singing voice as his base, he skillfully incorporates elements from various genres and is always exploring new ideas to create unique works.

In 2021, he started his activities as Sincere in earnest, releasing his first single “Reminder”. In 2022, he released his first EP “Time” with VivaOla and Nenashi as guest performers, and despite being a newcomer, he was selected as a cover for Spotify’s “Soul Music Japan”, a playlist that represents Japanese Soul Music, and quickly attracted attention. His 6th single “Like no one’s done” released in 2022 was picked up consecutively on Amazon Music’s main playlist “BREAKTHROUGH JAPAN”, which pushes new artists, following “I’ll be”, and was also picked up on many playlists, including major overseas playlists. In March, he released his 2nd EP “Just Living”, in May, his single “water”, and in July, he released a new song “Our Way”, written for Mercari’s 10th anniversary July campaign commercial, which became a hot topic. In September, he released his 3rd EP “When was that”. As he continues to release at a high cycle, he is attracting further attention not only from Japan but also from overseas.

D.W. Nichols

Formed in 2005, they made their major debut in 2009. The band name was officially approved by the late CW Nicol.

With constant releases and nationwide tours, large and small festivals, media appearances, songwriting, and regular radio shows, they are expanding their fan base to include people of all ages, both men and women, and even families. They also make numerous appearances at outdoor events and camping festivals.

They have appeared at HandMade In Japan Fes’ almost every year since 2014.

Currently, the duo consists of Watanabe Daisuke and Suzuki Kenta, and they perform in a flexible style, including as a duo, playing solo, and forming a band with supporting members.

Don’t miss their familiar and authentic sound, easy-to-understand songs, life-sized lyrics, and performance that will put a smile on everyone’s face!

DDT Pro-Wrestling

A professional wrestling organization that was launched in 1997.

With an original entertainment style that is not bound by the conventional wisdom of professional wrestling, they have created a new trend of “cultural pro wrestling” in the traditional world of professional wrestling, which has a strong athletic flavor, and their creative ideas are bringing new appeal to professional wrestling all over the country.

“Street wrestling,” a form of professional wrestling that takes place in a location without a ring, is a popular event held by DDT Pro-Wrestling and livens up the Handmade Japan Festival every year.

[DAY 2/July 21 (Sun)]*In alphabetical order

Gusokums

A four-member band based in Kichijoji, Tokyo. The members are Tanaka Eizoo (Vo, Gt), Kato Yuki (Gt), Horibe Yusuke (Ba), and Nakajima Yuji (Dr). The digital release of “Suberaku Toriame” in July 2021 caused a buzz, and the band will release their first album “Gusokumuzu” in December. In December 2022, they will release their second album “Yoikaiju”. Starting in May 2023, they will release new songs themed on “travel” for four consecutive months. In July, they held a successful solo performance at WWW X in Shibuya, Tokyo, and made their first appearance at ROOKIE A GO-GO at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2023 in the same month. Starting in November, they will hold a tour called “Michi no Tochu” that will visit five cities across Japan, with the finale being held at Musashino Public Hall in Kichijoji, Tokyo, their hometown, and selling out. In April 2024, they will release their major debut album “Hello! Good Morning!” and hold solo concerts in Tokyo and Osaka to celebrate the release. In addition, they will embark on a solo tour in seven cities across Japan starting in November. The final show will be held at LIQUIDROOM in Tokyo, their largest venue to date.https://www.gusokumuzu.com

Shin Sakiura

A music producer based in Tokyo. Since starting his career in 2017, he has released four full albums and continues to release digital singles in collaboration with various artists both in Japan and abroad, including Kan Sano, TENDRE, AAAMYYY, Cosmo’s Midnight, and brb. As a producer, he has expanded his field of activity by working on songs for SIRUP, Mukai Taichi, iri, Toki Asako, Aile The Shota, and Aina the End, and he also made headlines by working on the ending theme for the anime “BNA” produced by TRIGGER. While guitar is his main part in live performances, he also performs as a multi-player/singer who plays various instruments. He is also a photographer, and has been actively involved in activities such as holding solo exhibitions and releasing photo zines.

Full

A pop rock band active mainly in Tokyo.

Formed in Koganei, Tokyo in October 2020, the band has gradually attracted attention for the unforgettable songs and words spun by guitarist and vocalist Sakano Hikari, and the unique songs woven by members with diverse musicality, and their first album “Manpuku” has garnered praise from some media and early listeners. Manpuku’s music, which is always centered on “songs” that are not influenced by trends, fills both the heart and the ears. Since 2023, they have been actively performing live mainly in Tokyo, making their first appearances at events such as MINAMI WHEEL 2023 and Bread, Music and Antiques 2023. They are gradually coming to prominence, successfully holding one-man live shows one after another.

Yoshizawa Kayoko

Born on June 4, 1990. Raised in the foundry town of Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.

They made their major debut in 2014. Their second single, “Nokoru,” became a long-running hit.

On June 20, 2021, they will hold a solo concert at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall.

On November 15, 2023, she will release the first EP of a two-part series themed on “youth”, “Wakakusa”. On March 20, 2024, she will release the second EP, “Rokka”, and her new song “Namida no Kuni” will be the ending theme for the TBS drama stream “Uri wo Haru ~ Ichisen wo Koeteta, Sono Saki ni wa”. In April, she will hold a hall tour, “Yoshizawa Kayoko Hall Tour “Rokka””, and on May 14, her major debut date, she will hold a solo performance, “Yoshizawa Kayoko 10th Anniversary Performance ~Still a Witch in Training~” at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA.

Creator Area

The event will feature a lineup of unique exhibition booths by 3,000 creators from around the country, and will have three different contents: a “market” selling original works of fashion, interior design, art, handicrafts, etc.; a “workshop” where you can experience making about 70 different types of works by traditional craftsmen and popular creators; and a “live painting” where the creators will paint right in front of you. All creators are selected through public entries, and the venue will be filled with high-quality works. You can experience a space where the cutting edge of “manufacturing” by Japanese creators is gathered.

Food Area

In addition to the carefully selected sweets, breads and other handmade foods from all over Japan, made with the utmost care in both ingredients and preparation, we also have a wide selection of carefully selected coffee beans and seasonings, as well as jams and baked goods that are only available for certain seasons or events. We provide a space that connects makers and buyers in the food industry as well.