Opened in 1958 and completely rebuilt in 2013, Festival Hall is recognized as one of the world’s premier concert venues. Renowned for its acoustics – often described as “sound raining down from the ceiling” – and its expansive, state-of-the-art stage facilities, it continues to earn the admiration of eminent musicians and devoted audiences alike.
This special tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the hall’s acoustic qualities with the guidance of acoustics researchers Ryota Shimokura and Kosuke Kato and a live performance by Hiroshi Kondo, Principal Cellist of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra. As you move around the 2,700-seat hall, you will be able to compare how the music resonates in different locations.
Through insights from both the researchers and the performer, explore the depth and richness of sound and the state-of-the-art acoustic craftsmanship that distinguish Festival Hall.
Date & Time: Monday, May 19, 2025, 18:30–20:00 (Reception and doors open at 18:00)
Venue: Festival Hall, 2-3-18 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka
Performer: Hiroshi Kondo, Principal Cellist of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra
Guest Speakers: Ryota Shimokura (Acoustics Specialist / Associate Professor, School of Engineering Science, The University of Osaka), Kosuke Kato (Acoustics Specialist / Lecturer, Co-Creation Bureau, The University of Osaka)
Capacity: 200 participants (Advance registration required; first-come, first-served. Please register via the website.)
Admission: ¥3,000 (tax included). Festival Hall Friends Club members should register directly with Festival Hall.
Special English-Friendly Seating Available
Admission: ¥2,000 (limited to 20 seats)
*Note: Talk portions will be accompanied by English handouts only.
Organizers: Creative Island Nakanoshima Executive Committee; Festival Hall; Japan Arts Council; Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Co-organizer: Organizing Committee of Nakanoshima Pavilion Festival 2025
Important Notes
• This program will be recorded and made available online as archived video. Please be aware of this when purchasing tickets.
• If you use a wheelchair and wish to attend, please contact us in advance. Due to the nature of the event, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
• Tickets are non-refundable after purchase, except in the event of cancellation by the organizers.
• Children who have not yet entered elementary school will not be admitted.
• Program content is subject to change without prior notice.
Performer
Hiroshi Kondo
Mr. Kondo, Principal Cellist of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, has performed as a soloist at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and the United Nations Conference Hall in New York, and has played with numerous orchestras in Japan and abroad, including the New Japan Philharmonic, the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He is also committed to cultivating the next generation of musicians through his teaching at the university level.
Guest Speakers
Ryota Shimokura
Mr. Shimokura is a specialist in acoustics. During his undergraduate years at Kobe University, he developed a strong interest in concert hall acoustics, particularly the design of temporal elements such as reverberation time. He went on to study in Italy, which boasts a rich chamber music tradition, and earned his doctorate through research on traditional opera houses. Since returning to Japan, he has conducted research on topics including subway noise, hearing aids, and fireworks acoustics. He is currently engaged in research on speech recognition and synthesis at The University of Osaka.
Kosuke Kato
Mr. Kato is a specialist in acoustics. As an undergraduate at Kobe University, Kato was intrigued by questions such as, “What makes some halls easy to perform in, and others more difficult?” This led him to pursue research into the science of how concert hall acoustics influence musical performance and singing. He has presented his findings at acoustical societies in Japan, the US, and Europe, as well as in public lectures for general audiences.
