Jazz Takes Over Tsuruma Park for a Day
The first Tsuruma Jazz Fest lands this Saturday, June 13, with a full day of big band sets, trio performances, Okinawan-flavored jazz, and open jam sessions — all outdoors at Tsuruma Park's Universal Suffrage Memorial Stage.
The lineup is built around Shuhei Mizuno, a Kariya-born pianist, composer, and arranger who has been a fixture in the Nagoya jazz scene for years. Mizuno leads both a trio and the Shuhei Mizuno Big Band, which he formed in 2016 to perform exclusively his own compositions.
Mizuno also works with the C.U.G. Jazz Orchestra and teaches part-time at Nagoya College of Music. His groups anchor the day, with the Big Band taking the stage twice and the Trio playing two sets of its own.
Filling out the bill are Okinawa Breeze and Matsuri Boys + 1 Gal. The schedule runs from 10:00 to 19:30, bookended by open jam sessions where anyone can sit in. Keyboard, double bass, and drum set are provided — just bring whatever else you play.
The venue itself is worth knowing about. The Universal Suffrage Memorial Stage is an outdoor theater built in 1928 to commemorate Japan's Universal Suffrage Law of 1925 and has been a designated Nagoya City tangible cultural property since 1986.
Interesting side note: There's a bronze plaque of the Five Articles of the Charter Oath set into the back wall. In other words this is not a generic park bandshell. Here you can enjoy Jazz on a open stage that has some history behind it.
Tsuruma Park (not Tsurumai - that is the station) has been here since 1909, making it Nagoya's first Western-style public park. Between the rose gardens, the pond, and the towering trees lies a history that is lost on most passersby.
Admission is a ¥2,000 donation. The first 300 donors get a souvenir badge. The whole thing cancels if it rains, and the schedule may shift, so keep an eye on their Facebook Event Page closer to the day.
This isn't a polished, corporate festival. It's a first-time, community-organized, open-air jazz day in a public park, with room for people to participate as they like.
If you play, bring your instrument.
If you don't, bring a blanket or a chair.
The Details
The Tsuruma Jazz Fest
Venue:
Universal Suffrage Memorial Stage
普選記念壇
Tsuruma Park
Date:
Sat. Jun. 13, 2026
Times:
9:00–19:30
Price:
¥2,000 donation
Address:
1 Tsurumai,
Showa-ku, Nagoya
Facebook Event Page
Rain Policy:
Cancelled in case of rain
Note:
Schedule subject to change
Jam Sessions:
Bring your instrument. Keyboard, double bass, and drum set provided.
Schedule
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Schedule subject to change
Access
By Subway:
Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line — Tsurumai Station
Exit 4 / Walk into Tsuruma Park and head toward the central fountain area. The Universal Suffrage Memorial Stage / 普選記念壇 is just south of the fountain, about 2 minutes from the exit.
By Train:
JR Chuo Line — Tsurumai Station
Use the park-side exit and walk into Tsuruma Park. Head toward the central fountain area; the Universal Suffrage Memorial Stage / 普選記念壇 is just south of the fountain, a short walk from the station.
MAP
Nagoya Buzz
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