On July 14, 2026, excitement built around ROTTENGRAFFTY's year-end festival as details about Kyoto Chotokkyu 2026 ~KYOTO ULTRA EXPRESS~ began circulating. We know the dates, the venue, and the ticket prices—but when it comes to the full artist lineup, there's more speculation than confirmation right now, and we're here to walk through exactly what's been officially announced and what we're still waiting to hear.
For fans of Japan's rock and punk scene, this annual December gathering has become a must-attend event, and the 2026 edition promises to continue that tradition. Let's break down everything we know about the festival, the companion tour, and what history tells us about who might join the bill.
The Quick Version
- Festival dates: December 12-13, 2026, at Kyoto Pulse Plaza in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
- Doors open: 10:00 AM both days, with music starting at 11:00 AM
- Confirmed performers: ROTTENGRAFFTY (host) — additional acts to be announced
- Ticket prices: Single-day passes start at ¥9,610; two-day passes at ¥18,610 (via e+)
- Related tour: The Kyoto Chotokkyu TOUR 2026 runs September 2 through November 24, with 15 shows across Japan
What's Actually Been Announced About the December Festival
Let's start with what we can confirm from official sources. Kyoto Chotokkyu 2026 ~KYOTO ULTRA EXPRESS~ is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, 2026, at Kyoto Pulse Plaza (address: 5 Takeda Tobadono-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto). ROTTENGRAFFTY, who founded and host the event, will headline both days.
As of mid-July 2026, the official lineup listing shows "ROTTENGRAFFTY and more!!"—meaning the band themselves are the only act formally confirmed so far. The festival organizers typically announce additional performers in waves leading up to the event, and that rollout appears to be underway but not yet complete.
Ticket Types and How to Get Them
We do have concrete details about tickets, which are being sold exclusively through e+ (eplus.jp). Here's the pricing structure:
- Standard one-day ticket: ¥9,610 (tax included)
- Two-day ticket: ¥18,610
- Kiniro (Gold) Seat one-day ticket: ¥18,610
- Kiniro Seat two-day ticket: ¥27,610
The "Kiniro Seat" appears to be a premium viewing or amenity option, though specific details about what distinguishes it from standard admission haven't been widely detailed. Tickets can be purchased up to four per person, in either paper or electronic format, with physical tickets issued approximately two weeks before the festival. Members of 610 Club—ROTTENGRAFFTY's official fan club—who purchase during pre-sale periods receive special benefits, though the exact perks vary by sale round.
The Artists Everyone's Talking About—And What We Actually Know
Here's where things get interesting. Early chatter has mentioned several major Japanese rock acts as potential performers: 10-FEET, Maximum the Hormone, coldrain, HEY-SMITH, BRAHMAN, Yabai T-shirts Yasan (ヤバイTシャツ屋さん), and 04 Limited Sazabys, among others. These names aren't random—they've all appeared at past Kyoto Chotokkyu festivals and share deep ties to ROTTENGRAFFTY and the Japanese rock circuit.
Looking at the 2025 edition, which took place on December 13-14, 2025, the lineup included ANARCHY, 10-FEET, Harukamrai, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Yabai T-shirts Yasan, RIZE, Age Factory, and several others alongside ROTTENGRAFFTY. The festival has historically drawn from a consistent pool of artists who work in the punk, metal, and alternative rock space, many of whom have collaborated or toured together over the years.
However, as of July 14, 2026, none of these rumored 2026 performers have been officially confirmed by the festival organizers or the artists themselves. What we do know is that 10-FEET will appear as a guest on ROTTENGRAFFTY's tour—specifically at the November 2 show in Hiroshima at Club Quattro—but that tour date doesn't automatically confirm their participation in the December festival.
The Companion Tour: Kyoto Chotokkyu TOUR 2026
Before the December festival, ROTTENGRAFFTY is embarking on an extensive national tour under the same Kyoto Chotokkyu brand. The Kyoto Chotokkyu TOUR 2026 comprises 15 shows starting September 2 in Osaka and wrapping November 24 in Sapporo.
Some confirmed tour dates include:
- September 2 (Wednesday): Osaka BIGCAT — doors 6:15 PM, show 7:00 PM
- September 4 (Friday): Matsuyama Salon Kitty, Ehime
- October 6 (Tuesday): KYOTO MUSE
- October 14 (Wednesday): Nagoya DIAMOND HALL
- November 2 (Monday): Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO — with guest 10-FEET
- November 18 (Wednesday): Kawasaki CLUB CITTA' — with guest The Ravens
- November 23 (Monday, national holiday): Otaru GOLDSTONE
- November 24 (Tuesday): Sapporo PENNY LANE24
Tour tickets are priced at ¥5,610 (tax included) for advance purchase, with a separate drink fee required at the venue. Entry is restricted to elementary school age and older, with no admission for preschool children. Pre-sales opened in waves, with 610 Club members getting first access between late May and early June, followed by general lottery pre-sales through late June.
Why the Speculation Is Running Wild
The reason so many specific band names are circulating isn't pure guesswork—it's educated expectation based on years of festival history. Kyoto Chotokkyu has established itself as a gathering point for a particular corner of the Japanese rock world, one that values high-energy live performances, cross-pollination between punk and metal, and a DIY spirit that traces back to the early 2000s scene.
Acts like 10-FEET, coldrain, and Maximum the Hormone have appeared multiple times at past editions. HEY-SMITH and BRAHMAN share management connections and touring history with ROTTENGRAFFTY. Yabai T-shirts Yasan has become a festival regular in recent years. When fans see "and more!!" on the lineup poster, they're making informed guesses based on who's shown up before and who's been active in the same circles.
That said, until we see official confirmation—either from the festival's promotional materials or from the artists themselves—we're in the realm of likelihood rather than certainty. Festival lineups can shift due to touring schedules, recording commitments, or simple logistics, and what happened in 2025 doesn't guarantee a repeat in 2026.
What Makes This Festival Different
Kyoto Chotokkyu isn't just another multi-act rock show. ROTTENGRAFFTY has cultivated it as a curated experience that reflects their own musical ethos and network. The name itself—"Chotokkyu" means "super express"—suggests the festival's pacing and intensity. With doors opening at 10:00 AM and music running for hours across multiple stages, it's designed as an all-day immersion rather than a short evening event.
The December timing also matters. Positioned at the end of the touring year, it functions as both a celebration and a reunion, bringing together bands and fans who've been on the road for months. For many attendees, it's become an annual pilgrimage—a chance to close out the year surrounded by a community that shares their musical vocabulary.
Kyoto Pulse Plaza itself, located in the Fushimi ward, offers the industrial-scale space these events require. The venue has hosted previous editions smoothly, and its accessibility from Kyoto Station (roughly a 15-minute train ride) makes it workable for both local fans and those traveling from Tokyo, Osaka, and beyond.
What People Are Saying
The 'and more!!' on the poster is killing me—I need to know if coldrain is coming back so I can decide whether to get the two-day pass,
wrote one fan on social media shortly after the initial announcement. The anticipation around the full lineup reveal has become part of the pre-festival experience, with fans trading theories and wish lists in online communities.
Another commenter noted, 10-FEET at the Hiroshima tour date basically confirms they'll be at the December festival too, right? That's how it usually works.
The pattern-recognition among longtime festival-goers is strong—they know that tour guests often appear at the year-end event, though it's not an ironclad rule.
Already planning vacation days around December 12-13. Even if they only announced ROTTENGRAFFTY, that's enough, but we all know the full lineup is going to be stacked,
shared a third fan, capturing the confidence the festival has built over the years. The trust in ROTTENGRAFFTY's curation runs deep enough that some fans commit before knowing the complete bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the full 2026 lineup be announced?
The festival organizers haven't specified an exact date for revealing additional performers. Based on past years, lineup announcements typically come in stages between summer and late fall, with some acts confirmed months in advance and others added closer to the event.
Where can I buy tickets for Kyoto Chotokkyu 2026?
Tickets are sold exclusively through e+ (eplus.jp), with options for paper or electronic delivery. You can purchase up to four tickets per order, with single-day passes starting at ¥9,610 and two-day passes at ¥18,610. Members of ROTTENGRAFFTY's 610 Club fan club may have access to exclusive pre-sale windows.
Is Kyoto Pulse Plaza easy to reach from central Kyoto?
Yes—Kyoto Pulse Plaza is located in Fushimi-ku, about 15 minutes by train from Kyoto Station. The venue is designed to handle large-scale events and offers straightforward access for both local attendees and those traveling from other cities.
Are the tour dates and festival lineup connected?
Sometimes, but not always. Artists who appear as guests on the Kyoto Chotokkyu TOUR 2026 (like 10-FEET in Hiroshima or The Ravens in Kawasaki) often—but don't automatically—perform at the December festival. The tour and festival are related but have separate lineups.
What's the difference between standard tickets and Kiniro Seat tickets?
Kiniro (Gold) Seat tickets are priced at ¥18,610 for one day and ¥27,610 for two days—roughly double the standard admission. These likely offer premium viewing areas or additional amenities, though specific details about what distinguishes them haven't been widely detailed in public materials.
What's Next for Kyoto Chotokkyu 2026
As we move through the second half of 2026, we're expecting the full artist lineup for the December 12-13 festival to emerge gradually. The tour kicks off on September 2 in Osaka, which will give fans their first taste of what ROTTENGRAFFTY has planned for this year's Kyoto Chotokkyu experience. If the pattern holds, additional festival performers will be confirmed throughout the fall, building anticipation as the year-end event approaches.
For now, the December dates are locked, the venue is set, and tickets are available. Whether you're a longtime follower of ROTTENGRAFFTY or new to the Kyoto Chotokkyu tradition, the framework is in place for another memorable gathering of Japan's rock community. We'll be watching for those lineup announcements—and if past festivals are any guide, the wait will be worth it.
