WANIMA's highly anticipated 1CHANCE FESTIVAL is returning to Kumamoto for its fifth consecutive year, and the lineup announcement on July 2, 2026 has given us plenty to look forward to. The two-day outdoor rock festival, scheduled for September 26-27, 2026, will feature some of Japan's biggest names in rock and alternative music — including B'z frontman Koshi Inaba and international rock powerhouse ONE OK ROCK. If you've been wondering who else is on the bill and how to secure your spot at this year's event, we've gathered all the details you need.
We know that festival announcements can be overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out who's playing which day and whether the acts you love most will overlap. Let's walk through everything we know about 1CHANCE FESTIVAL 2026, from the complete artist roster to ticket information and what makes this year's gathering particularly special.
The Quick Version
- The festival takes place September 26-27, 2026 at Kumamoto Agricultural Park Country Park in Koshi City, Kumamoto
- Koshi Inaba performs on Day 1 (September 26), while ONE OK ROCK headlines Day 2 (September 27)
- The lineup includes 13+ acts spanning rock, alternative, and pop: Aina the End, HANA, Maximum the Hormone, coldrain, UVERworld, MONGOL800, and more
- Single-day tickets cost ¥12,000 (general admission) and two-day passes are ¥23,000, with discounted rates for high school students and younger
- This marks the fifth year WANIMA has hosted the festival in their home prefecture of Kumamoto
Why This Year's Lineup Stands Out
The addition of Koshi Inaba to the 1CHANCE FESTIVAL roster represents something of a milestone for the event. As the legendary vocalist of B'z — one of Japan's best-selling rock acts of all time — Inaba's solo appearances at festivals are relatively selective. His confirmation for Day 1 of the festival signals the growing prestige of WANIMA's annual gathering and its evolution from a regional festival into one that can attract artists of Inaba's stature.
ONE OK ROCK's inclusion on Day 2 brings international rock credentials to the lineup. The band has spent years building a global following with tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, and their fusion of Japanese and English lyrics has made them one of Japan's most successful rock exports. Their performance is scheduled for September 27, 2026, and we can expect the setlist to draw from their extensive catalog of arena-ready anthems.
What makes this year's lineup particularly compelling is its diversity across rock subgenres. You'll find the experimental chaos of Maximum the Hormone alongside the melodic accessibility of Da-iCE, the hardcore intensity of coldrain next to the ska-punk energy of MONGOL800. This breadth reflects WANIMA's own musical journey — a band that started in their hometown playing fast-paced punk rock and has since become one of Japan's most commercially successful rock acts without losing their DIY ethos.
The Complete Day-By-Day Lineup
Let's break down exactly who's playing when, because if you're trying to decide between a single-day ticket and the full weekend experience, the day splits matter quite a bit.
Day 1 — September 26, 2026 (Saturday): The first day features Aina the End, who's been building a powerful solo career since her time with BiSH; Atarashii Gakko no Leaders (often known in English as New School Leaders), whose fusion of dance, punk, and performance art has made them one of Japan's most visually distinctive acts; Koshi Inaba, the day's marquee name; coldrain, veterans of the metalcore scene with a dedicated international following; Da-iCE, bringing pop and R&B influences to balance the heavier acts; and Maximum the Hormone, whose unpredictable blend of metal, punk, and experimental rock guarantees one of the weekend's most intense sets. WANIMA themselves will naturally perform on Day 1 as well, since they're the festival hosts and appear both days.
Day 2 — September 27, 2026 (Sunday): The second day opens with UVERworld, whose dramatic, anthem-heavy rock has filled arenas across Japan for nearly two decades; Sambomaster, a rock trio known for their raw, energetic performances and emotionally direct songwriting; HANA, returning to the festival after her 2025 appearance with her distinctive art-pop sound; Paledusk, a rising force in Japan's metalcore scene whose technical precision and fierce live shows have earned critical acclaim; MONGOL800, the Okinawan ska-punk legends whose 2001 hit "Chiisana Koi no Uta" remains one of the most beloved Japanese rock songs ever recorded; and ONE OK ROCK, closing out the weekend. Again, WANIMA performs on Day 2 as well.
The official festival site notes "and more..." after the current roster, suggesting that additional artists may be announced as we get closer to September. Past years have occasionally seen surprise additions or special guest appearances, so it's worth keeping an eye on WANIMA's official channels if you're holding out hope for a particular artist.
About the Venue and Festival Experience
Kumamoto Agricultural Park Country Park, located in Koshi City about 30 minutes northeast of Kumamoto City, transforms into the 1CHANCE FESTIVAL grounds each September. The venue is an outdoor agricultural park that offers open green spaces, making it ideal for the festival's rain-or-shine outdoor format. (Yes, the event proceeds even in rain, so pack accordingly if the forecast looks iffy.)
For WANIMA, hosting this festival in Kumamoto carries personal significance. The three band members — KENTA, KO-SHIN, and FUJI — all grew up in Kumamoto Prefecture and have spoken repeatedly about their desire to give back to their local music community. Starting a major rock festival in their hometown was a long-held goal, and the fact that they're now entering their fifth consecutive year shows both the event's sustainability and its importance to the regional music scene.
The outdoor setting creates a different atmosphere than the typical indoor arena show. We're talking about open-air stages, the possibility of watching sets while sitting on the grass between more active performances, and the kind of relaxed festival vibe where you can wander between food vendors and merch tables without feeling boxed in. The park setting also means families can attend more comfortably — the festival specifically allows young children (under elementary school age) to attend for free when accompanied by a guardian.
How to Get Tickets and What They Cost
Ticket sales for 1CHANCE FESTIVAL 2026 are being handled through the official festival site and authorized ticket vendors. Here's what you need to know about pricing and access options.
Single-day tickets are priced at ¥12,000 for general admission, with a reduced rate of ¥9,500 for anyone high school age or younger. If you're planning to attend both days, the two-day pass costs ¥23,000 (general) or ¥18,000 (high school and under). All ticket prices include the park admission fee, so you won't need to purchase a separate entry ticket. Anyone elementary school age or older needs their own ticket; children younger than that can enter free with a ticketed adult (one free child per adult ticket).
The festival has typically offered several ticket sales periods, including an official presale for fan club members and general on-sale dates. While the research available to us confirms the September 26-27 dates and the ticket prices, specific on-sale dates and presale windows weren't fully detailed in the materials we reviewed. We'd recommend checking the official 1CHANCE FESTIVAL website or WANIMA's official social media accounts for the exact ticket sale timeline and any presale access opportunities.
Given the caliber of this year's lineup — particularly the addition of Koshi Inaba and ONE OK ROCK — it's reasonable to expect strong ticket demand. Past editions of the festival have sold well, and this year's roster is arguably the strongest yet. If you're serious about attending, setting up alerts for the ticket on-sale announcement is probably wise.
What People Are Saying About the Lineup
"Koshi Inaba at a festival this size is honestly shocking. I've been following B'z for 20 years and his solo festival appearances are rare enough that I'm already planning the Kumamoto trip. WANIMA really pulled off something special getting him."
"The Day 1 versus Day 2 split is actually perfect for me — I wanted to see Maximum the Hormone and ONE OK ROCK most, and they're on different days, so I'm definitely getting the two-day pass. Plus both nights of WANIMA means we get to see them in hosting mode, which is always fun."
"Really excited to see HANA back again this year. Her set last September was one of my favorites from any festival I attended. She brings such a different energy compared to the heavier bands, and I think that contrast is what makes the 1CHANCE lineup work so well."
"I live in Kumamoto and it's been incredible watching this festival grow. Five years ago, if you told me we'd have ONE OK ROCK and Koshi Inaba playing a festival here, I wouldn't have believed it. WANIMA has really changed what's possible for live music in this prefecture."
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is 1CHANCE FESTIVAL 2026?
The festival takes place across two days: September 26, 2026 (Saturday) and September 27, 2026 (Sunday). Gates and set times haven't been fully announced yet, but outdoor festivals in Japan typically run from early afternoon into evening.
Where is the festival located and how do I get there?
It's held at Kumamoto Agricultural Park Country Park (Kumamoto-ken Nogyo Koen Country Park) in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. The address is 3802-4 Sakae, Koshi-shi, Kumamoto. The venue is accessible by car and public transportation, though specific shuttle or transport information is usually announced closer to the event date.
Can I buy a ticket for just one day, or do I have to attend both days?
Both single-day and two-day passes are available. A one-day ticket costs ¥12,000 (general admission) or ¥9,500 (high school and younger), while the two-day pass is ¥23,000 (general) or ¥18,000 (students). You can choose whichever option fits your schedule and budget.
Are there any age restrictions or special rules for children?
Children under elementary school age can attend free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder (one free child per adult). Elementary school age and older require their own ticket. The outdoor, daytime festival format tends to be more family-friendly than late-night club shows, though the volume and crowd size during popular sets should still be considered when bringing very young children.
Will more artists be added to the lineup?
The official festival site includes "and more..." in the artist listing, which suggests additional performers may be announced before September. WANIMA's past festivals have occasionally featured surprise guests or last-minute additions, so it's possible we haven't seen the complete final roster yet.
What Makes 1CHANCE FESTIVAL Worth the Trip
If you're weighing whether to make the journey to Kumamoto this September, consider what makes this particular festival distinctive beyond just its lineup. WANIMA's hands-on involvement as hosts creates an atmosphere that feels more personal than corporate — this isn't a faceless promoter event, but a gathering shaped by three musicians deeply connected to the place and its community. The outdoor setting in Kumamoto's countryside offers a break from the urban intensity of Tokyo or Osaka festival scenes, and the day-into-evening schedule means you're not battling exhaustion from dawn-to-midnight programming.
The diversity of acts assembled for September 26-27, 2026 means we're not looking at a narrowly defined genre festival. You can catch the veteran rock craftsmanship of Koshi Inaba, the international stadium energy of ONE OK ROCK, the fierce individuality of Aina the End, and the unhinged creativity of Maximum the Hormone all in the same weekend. That range invites discovery — even if you're coming primarily for one or two artists, you're likely to leave as a new fan of someone you'd barely heard of before.
With tickets available now and the September dates growing closer, we're looking at one of the year's most compelling festival offerings in Japan's rock scene. Whether you're a longtime WANIMA follower excited to see them in their element, a B'z devotee eager for Koshi Inaba's rare festival appearance, or simply someone who appreciates the chance to see a dozen-plus strong acts across a beautiful outdoor weekend, 1CHANCE FESTIVAL 2026 has built a case for itself.
