24 - 26 October 2025

INSTAGRAM

The event is all free, and no need to be registered anywhere.

10th International Jew's Harp Congress & Festival in Akanko Ainu Kotan, Hokkaido

Dates October 24 (Fri.) - October 26 (Sun.) 2025
Pre-festival will be held on October 23 (Thu.)

Venue: Akanko Ainu Theater and other locations in Akanko Onsen

Organized by Kushiro City

Operated by International Jew's Harp Congress / Festival Executive Committee /
Akan Jew's Harp Association / Japan Jew's Harp Association / Ainu Association of Akan /
Akan Ainu Culture Preservation Society / Akan Ainu Industrial Arts Association /
Akan Ainu Consulum.

In cooperation with the International Jew's Harp Society / INTERNATIONAL JEW'S HARP SOCIETY FLYER

- Jew's harp performances by international and domestic jew's harp players and Ainu mukkuri players
- Workshops on making and playing the jew's harp
- Exhibition of jew's Harps from around the world
- Research presentations on the jew's Harp
- Ainu dance performances

About the International Jew’s Harp Congress & Festival

The jew’s harp is a small yet profound instrument, made of metal or bamboo, that produces its distinctive “byong” sound when played against the mouth. In Ainu culture it is called the mukkuri and has been cherished for centuries.

Since its inception, the International Jew’s Harp Congress & Festival (IJHC/F) has been held nine times in countries where the instrument has deep cultural roots. Every edition gathers performers, makers, and researchers from across Asia, Europe, and beyond. With concerts, workshops, outdoor performances, and a global jew’s harp marketplace, the festival has become a vital meeting point for cultural exchange and creativity.

Japan has long participated in the IJHC/F through the Japan Jew’s Harp Association and the Akan Jew’s Harp Association. Their dream of one day hosting the event is now being realized with the 10th Congress & Festival in Hokkaido—a unique opportunity to celebrate the jew’s harp’s global voice and to showcase the living heritage of Ainu culture.

Participants by Countries and Regions

Asia
Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Kingdom of Cambodia, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Sakha, People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Republic of Tuva, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Republic of Bashkortostan, Republic of the Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Japan.

Europe
Italian Republic, Republic of Estonia, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Austria, Switzerland, Federal Republic of Germany, Kingdom of Norway, Hungary, Republic of Finland, Republic of Lithuania, Romania, Russian Federation.

Americas
United States of America, Canada, Republic of Chile, Federative Republic of Brazil.

An Unforgettable Gathering: The 10th Jew’s Harp Festival in Hokkaido

Message from the IJHS President

At the 9th International Jew’s Harp Congress & Festival in Berlin, Fukiko Goukon—winner of the title “International Jew’s Harp Virtuoso” at the 2022 Yakutsk competition—expressed her wish to host the 10th edition in her home region of Hokkaido, Japan.

Her vision quickly gained the support of Leo Tadagawa of the Japan Jew’s Harp Association, who has since played a central role in shaping the project. Together, they brought on board key local partners—including Kushiro City, the Akan Jew’s Harp Association, the Ainu Association of Akan, the Akan Ainu Cultural Preservation Society, the Akan Ainu Industrial Arts Association, and the Akan Ainu Consulun—laying the foundation for what promises to be an extraordinary festival.

On behalf of the International Jew’s Harp Society, I extend my heartfelt thanks to these dedicated individuals and organizations.

The IJHS contributes its name, reputation, and expertise to the Festival: coordinating international participants, designing and organizing the Congress, advising on the musical program, and publishing resources such as the BOING Newsletter and the IJHS Scientific Journal.

The fact that the 10th IJHC/F will be hosted by the Ainu community of Hokkaido has already drawn international attention. Many musicians and researchers plan to attend with their families, inspired by the rich cultural setting. The Ainu jew’s harp performances—interweaving music, ritual, dance, and living tradition—have long been among the most memorable highlights of past festivals.

We now look forward with great anticipation to October 24–26, 2025, at Akanko Ainu Kotan in Hokkaido, Japan—an unforgettable gathering in the spirit of friendship, respect, professionalism, and the unifying voice of the jew’s harp.

Franz Kumpl フランツクンプル