Everything you need to know about Kyoto music festival Kyotophonie, from the eclectic artist line-up to Michelin-starred festival fare
Following the success of its debut in April this year, Kyotophonie—a two-day music festival in Kyoto sponsored by Bottega Veneta—is returning in the fall from October 7th to 8th. The festival was founded by Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi, who co-founded Kyotographie, an annual photography festival held in the spring.
Taking place in Amanohashidate, a pine-covered sandbar that spans Miyazu Bay in the scenic, coastal region of northern Kyoto, the festival is a unique cultural event in Japan that bridges nature, music, performances, visual art, and design.
The artist line-up at Kyotophonie features both local musicians, like Tsuruta-style Satsuma biwa player Kakushin Nishihara and folk singer-songwriter Ichiko Aoba, as well as international musicians including Inna de Yard from Jamaica, Natascha Rogers from the Netherlands, Chico César from Brazil.
Performances will be spread across three stages, including a Beach Stage on the sandy white shores of Miyazu Bay, a Forest Stage surrounded by ancient trees and a dedicated Piano by the Beach section that's, well, pretty self-explanatory.
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The dining options are pretty great, too, with thoughtfully curated selection of food trucks, local producer stalls and a bar.
At the festival's pop-up beach restaurant, a roster of chefs—including Armand Arnal of one Michelin-starred La Chassagnette, Rimpei Yoshikawa of Pignon in Tokyo and Masayo Funakoshi of Farmoon in Kyoto—will be crafting and cooking menus that showcase the region's rich bounty, including seafood from the fishing grounds of Miyazu Bay, seasonal vegetables harvested by local organic farmers, and venison sourced from the nearby mountains of the Tango region.