Last weekend – July 22 and July 23 – Los Angeles County experienced its second annual Rising Japan MusicFest! Rising Japan MusicFest gives attendees the opportunity to “experience Japan like never before – through music, food and culture.” The festival featured Japanese-American, Japanese and American stars like Def Tech, Shanice, Minami, Kawago Hina & Yonaka Band and more!
The 9.4 acres area that makes up Marina Green Park was set up to host two artists’ stages, several food and sake vendors – including Asahi Beer, Daikokuya and Shin-Sen-Gumi, – as well as pop up experience shops.
This was K Fuse’s first year at the festival, and it did not disappoint. Here’s what you missed at Rising Japan MusicFest 2023:
Returning Artist: A Page Unturned
LA pop-punk band, A Page Unturned, made their return to Rising Japan MusicFest for their second year. A Page Unturned was formed in 2017, and now consists of Damon Porras, Yoshihiro Imae and Matt Arsenault. The band released their first EP, A Page Unturned, on March 23, 2018, and has since released four singles. After several shows across Southern California, the band played their first international show in Tokyo in 2019.
Best Vibe Shift: ARKTA
Nu Metal duo, ARKTA, took festival-goers through a series of stories that express the “high and low points of life”. ARKTA is a hybrid rock band formed in 2020 consisting of members Tak who is from Los Angeles and kenken who is from Tokyo. The duo combines the two worlds of aggression and emotion to create a sound that was unlike any other heard at Rising Japan MusicFest.
Around the Festival: ARCANE MAID CAFE, Food and Sake Tasting
What better way to get attendees immersed in experiencing Japanese culture than with authentic food, sake tasting and a maid cafe?! One of the most popular aspects of Japanese culture is the customer experience at a maid cafe. For those who are unfamiliar with what Maid Cafes are, here’s a brief history.
Maid Cafes are a type of “cosplay restaurant where the waitress – also known as “maids,”-- dress up in French Maid costumes.” Maid cafes started appearing in the 1990s, after Japan experienced an economic crash in the 1980s. This crash allowed more freedom for people to choose their own relationship, and left others isolated. The most alone during this time were otaku– anime and game enthusiasts. Maid cafes were established to create a safe space where people could enjoy the company of others. The atmosphere was designed to be accepting and relaxing for the customers while they enjoy a variety of food and drinks. The final aspect of a maid cafe is the live performance, which attendees were able to experience at the Bubble Stage!
Arcane Maid Cafe was founded in 2016, and hosted its first standalone event in 2017. Since then, ARCANE MAID CAFE hosted the 2018 AniFest, began entering cultural festivals and creating their very own Maid Cafe Idol Group! We caught ARCANE MAID CAFE performing anime and vocaloid songs at the Bubble Stage. As our team traveled throughout the festival grounds, little did we know that we would also find the maids passing out Nezuko stickers.
The Newbies: EPYTHIMiA
“Hi, HOPE! We are EPYTHIMiA!”
EPYTHMiA is a six-piece pre-debut Japanese vocal and dance group under Beau.T. Entertainment. While many HOPE – EPYTHIMiA’s fandom – know them as a five piece group consisting of Maito, K, R.D, Sirius and Reiya (Rei), new member AQUA was announced during their fansign at Rising Japan MusicFest. As EPITHYMiA is still developing their own unique sound, they covered songs from their seniors, KISHIN and AMAZO NIGHT– including fan favorite New Wave.
Attendees then experienced a short meet and greet fansign after the show, where the members of EPITHYMiA would sign shirts for and take photos with fans.
Check out our full gallery from Rising Japan MusicFest below:
Rising Japan MusicFest | A PAGE UNTURNED | ARI PRADO | ARKTA | ARCANE MAID CAFE | DEF TECH | EPITHYMiA | IAKOPO | JULES LIESL | KAORU MIYAZAKI | KAWAGO HINA | KOZ | MINAMI | PEPPER OSAKA | RIHWA | SARA NANJO | SHANICE | WST
Story by: K Fuse
Photos by: Don M., Natasha A., and Emma V.
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