Celebrating the past, present, and future of bluegrass music in Japan
Bluegrass music has a rich and fascinating history in Japan. Each year there are more than 20 bluegrass festivals in Japan. Many of the top artists from the U.S. have toured in Japan. Japanase bluegrass musicians also play occasionally in the U.S. There are many live music venues in Japan that host bluegrass performances, by amateurs as well as professionals. This site seeks to curate and organize information about this sub-culture in a convenient format.
Launched in November 1983, Moonshiner magazine is the only monthly bluegrass magazine in Japan. Written in Japanese, it covers performers in Japan and the U.S., including new and historic recordings, as well as interviews, and also lists venues and festivals. Moonshiner is published by B.O.M. (Bluegrass & Old Time Music) Services, Ltd.
You can also find them on Facebook here.
The Briars, seen here peforming at the Tokyo club "Back in Town” in December 2022. For more performers and venues, visit the respective pages on this site.
Appalachian Trail, performing at Honky Tonk in Kyoto on January 8, 2023.