"Sanrio Nakayoku Project: Minna Nakayoku Classic Concert 2026" is set to take place on August 3, 2026 (Monday) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This marks Sanrio's first cultural sustainability event.
Presented in collaboration with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the concert will feature a full orchestra delivering rich performances of classical works in a style accessible to children. Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, will make appearances during part of the performance, adding a festive touch with pieces inspired by the characters.
Alongside the concert, hands-on activities will be available before and after the show: a workshop where participants can design characters alongside Sanrio's own designers, and an instrument-making workshop using repurposed Gashapon capsules.
The event aims to give children the opportunity to experience authentic classical music, supporting Sanrio's materiality goals of "Well-Being" and "Democratization of Creativity." Children from child welfare facilities will also be invited, broadening access to those in varying circumstances. A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated through the Japanese Red Cross Society and organizations that support children.
Ticket sales began on June 10, 2026.
Performance Details
Event Title: Sanrio Nakayoku Project: Minna Nakayoku Classic Concert 2026
Date: August 3, 2026 (Monday)
- 1st Show: Doors open at 12:30 PM / Show starts at 1:30 PM
- 2nd Show: Doors open at 4:00 PM / Show starts at 5:00 PM
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall
Performers: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Sanrio characters
Conductor: Shinpei Sasaki
Ticket Prices: Adults (high school students and above) ¥2,000 / Children (ages 3 to middle school) ¥900 (tax included)
Children under 3 may sit on an adult's lap for free (1 child per adult). A paid seat is required if a separate seat is needed. Children from 0 years old are welcome.
Tickets are available at: https://sanrio.site/sanrio_nakayoku_project_classical_concert (teket)
Program
- Rossini: Overture from "William Tell" — Swiss Army March
- Johann Strauss II: The Blue Danube
- Hello Kitty
- KAWAII FESTIVAL
- Tchaikovsky: "Trepak" from Ballet "The Nutcracker"
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, 1st Movement
The performance runs approximately 1 hour.
About the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1946 as the Toho Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra has received nearly all of Japan's major music awards, including the Minister of Education Award. The orchestra actively conducts concerts and outreach activities in partnership with Kawasaki City and Niigata City, and is also noted for its diverse programs such as "Children's Subscription Concerts" and the "Asia Project." As the regular orchestra for the New National Theatre Tokyo, it performs opera and ballet productions annually, and has an extensive record of overseas performances, including at the Wiener Musikverein.
Working alongside its 3rd Music Director Jonathan Nott, the orchestra is regarded as a leader in Japan's classical music scene. Its production of "Salome" ranked 2nd in the 2022 "Concert Best Ten" by Ongaku no Tomo magazine, "Elektra" took 1st place in 2023, and "Der Rosenkavalier" in December 2024 also garnered widespread acclaim. Lorenzo Viotti will assume the role of 4th Music Director from April 2026.
Hands-On Activities at the Venue
Creative Workshop by Sanrio Designers (Pre-registration required)
"CreativeDoor Presented by Sanrio" is a hands-on workshop where children in grades 1 through 6 of elementary school can design their own original characters alongside Sanrio designers. Participants will explore their creativity using words and materials as inspiration. This program is open to those holding concert tickets and requires advance registration. For details, visit the ticket sales site.
Additional activities available without reservation include an instrument-making workshop using repurposed Gashapon capsules (in cooperation with the Bandai Namco Group) and an exhibition on Sanrio's sustainability initiatives.
