tiny desk concerts JAPAN - Season 3 / Year 2026

Horigome Yasuyuki , formerly of the acclaimed band KIRINJI, appears on tiny desk concerts JAPAN
Joined by guest vocalist Toki Asako, he performs Aliens, a timeless masterpiece in J-POP history. Featuring a pedal steel guitar, this tiny desk original band arrangement beautifully enhances the lyrical richness and depth of his music.
In the intimate setting of the NHK office, the meticulous ensemble and the duo's harmonizing vocals shed new light on the classic track's enduring appeal. Enjoy this exclusive 30-minute session, available only here.

One of Tokyo's most talked-about emerging trios,
CHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN, comes to tiny desk.
Drawing inspiration from traditional music around the world, the group blends global folk elements with electronics and contemporary beats. Their sound captures the spirit of different places and cultures, reshaping them into vibrant, border-crossing pop.
This special edition, tiny desk concerts JAPAN in schools, takes place at the trending "Geidai Room" of the Tokyo University of the Arts. Students and members of the local community gather for an intimate concert experience—bringing the tiny desk spirit into a uniquely Japanese setting.
The performance also features special guest artists:
Tabla virtuoso U-zhaan,
Ghanaian percussionist Nii Tete Boye,
and singer from Amami Ōshima, Hajime Chitose.
From the rhythms of India and the energy of Africa to the island songs of Amami Ōshima, diverse musical traditions converge in one unforgettable concert.
The room may be classroom-sized, but the sound is world-class.
Join CHO CO PA CO CHO CO QUIN QUIN on a special musical journey at tiny desk.

SET LIST
Gandhara feat. U-zhaan
Watatsumi
Cuba
Haiyā
tradition feat. Nii Tete Boye
Rokucho (Chichibu) feat. Hajime Chitose, Makioka Nami and Kaito

Kajiura Yuki, the composer whose music has captivated audiences around the world.  Iconic songs that have defined some of the most beloved anime series are reborn in the intimate setting of tiny desk.  Joining Kajiura's expansive and cinematic musical world are LiSA, YUUKA, and the vocalists of FictionJunction projects.
The special guest is LiSA.

She performs Homura, the theme song from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Movie: Mugen Train, in a special arrangement featuring only Kajiura on piano.  In the uniquely intimate space of tiny desk, the two performers stand closer than ever before.  Within this rare sense of proximity, Homura rises quietly with a warmth never heard before.

Also appearing is YUUKA, performing Akatsuki no Kuruma, the beloved insert song from MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED.  In addition, vocalists who have long shaped Kajiura's signature sound—KAORI, YURIKO KAIDA, Joelle, LINO LEIA, and EMIKO—gather as part of FictionJunction.

The performance also features Sokyu no Fanfare, the 10th-anniversary song for Sword Art Online, Allelujah, the theme from The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel, and the FictionJunction classic Parade.
 

From Demon Slayer and Gundam to Sword Art Online and The Garden of Sinners, these iconic songs that have captivated fans worldwide come together in one extraordinary performance—brought to life in the uniquely intimate atmosphere of tiny desk.

Japanese city pop is being rediscovered around the world, and EPO, one of the genre's most celebrated singers, captures everything that makes this music so loved across borders and generations in this special performance.
Joining her are Shimizu Nobuyuki, the legendary arranger and keyboardist who shaped city pop's golden age; Sahashi Yoshiyuki, a top-tier guitarist behind countless classic tracks; and GOOD BYE APRIL, a four-piece band giving city pop a fresh, modern edge. Together, they make for a one-of-a-kind collaboration that spans generations.
The setlist is packed with hits beloved worldwide: the infectious groove of Down Town, the pure weekend energy of Saturday Night Paradise, and the feel-good pop anthem U-fu-fu-fu.  EPO's clear, radiant voice blends with the rich musicianship of veteran and young artists alike, filling the intimate tiny desk space with sound.
This isn't just a trip down memory lane—it's city pop alive and evolving in the present.

Fusing a rich array of musical roots such as soul, funk, jazz, blues, rock, and world music, Original Love has carved a singular path through Japanese pop music, and now they make their first-ever appearance on tiny desk concerts JAPAN!
A self-professed fan of tiny desk, Tajima Takao put together a special, one-time-only lineup for the show. Joining the five band members (Gt: Kogure Shinya, Dr: Sano Yasuo, Ba: Komatsu Hideyuki, Cho: Mashiro Megumi, Org: Kawai Daisuke) are a three-piece saxophone section and three backing vocalists. This lavish twelve-piece ensemble delivers Original Love's lush groove and vividly colorful sound with all the raw, up-close presence that only the tiny desk can offer.
The luxurious setlist befits the band's 35th-anniversary milestone: Seppun (Kiss), practically synonymous with Original Love; the celebratory classic Fiesta; the intensely groovy The Rover; the heat-packed live favorite Yoru wo Buttobase (Leave the Night in the Dust); and their newest song, Ai wa Akari (Love Is a Torch), making its television debut. It's a best-of-and-brand-new setlist that distills 35 years of Original Love's journey.
Most of all, though, we hope you'll experience the kind of performance that only the tiny desk can create. Right in front of the audience, close enough to hear every breath, the vocals come through live, with no speakers in between. The band builds around those voices with performances that are both groovy and finely detailed, while Tajima Takao simply lets the music carry him. What comes through is not just Tajima's talent as an artist, but his warmth, love of music, and joy in connecting with people.