What this is
The Kyohei Sorita & Japan National Orchestra Summer Tour 2026 is a classical music tour spanning eight concerts across seven Japanese cities from August to September 2026. Pianist and conductor Kyohei Sorita leads the Japan National Orchestra in performances of Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 as the centerpiece of the tour. The tour offers two distinct programs: Program A pairs the concerto with Brahms' Symphony No. 2, while Program B features the Brahms Violin Concerto with violinist Seiji Okamoto. Kyohei Sorita is one of Japan's most celebrated young classical musicians, having won the silver medal at the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition, bringing significant prestige to this nationwide tour.
Who should go
Classical music lovers and fans of Romantic-era orchestral repertoire will find this tour deeply rewarding, as the all-Brahms programming offers a rare opportunity to hear a cohesive body of work performed at a high level. Fans of Kyohei Sorita who followed his acclaimed Chopin Competition performances will not want to miss him in the dual role of pianist and conductor. Concert-goers interested in Japanese classical performance culture will appreciate the chance to see a nationally touring orchestra at their local venue. Check the official tour schedule to confirm which program — A or B — is being performed at your chosen city before booking.
Good to know
Tickets are sold through major Japanese ticketing platforms including eplus.jp, pia.jp, and Lawson Ticket; foreign credit cards are generally accepted on these sites, and convenience store pickup at Lawson is the most reliable collection method for visitors without a Japanese postal address. Each venue on the tour will have its own seating configuration — Japanese concert halls are typically fully seated with assigned seating, so check your ticket carefully for seat location. Photography and video recording are almost universally prohibited during performances at Japanese classical concerts; switch your phone to silent before entering the auditorium. Arrive at least 30 minutes early, as doors typically close at the advertised start time with no late entry permitted until a suitable break. Check the official tour schedule to confirm which program is being performed at your chosen city, as Program A and Program B feature different repertoire.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.