Tickets On Sale Friday, November 14th at 10 AM Local Time at Ticketmaster.com
Live Nation announced the next chapter of City Pop Waves, a headline show series spotlighting iconic Japanese City Pop artists, with legendary guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka set to embark on his first-ever world tour: SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026. Following the sold-out success of his Los Angeles performances earlier this year, Takanaka will bring his vibrant surf-inspired sound to audiences across the UK and U.S.
The tour begins March 31 in London and continues with performances in Brooklyn, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This run marks a rare opportunity to see one of Japan’s most influential guitarists in intimate, historic venues.
MAR 31 – LONDON, UK – O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE
APR 04 – BROOKLYN, NY – BROOKLYN PARAMOUNT
APR 07 – CHICAGO, IL – BYLINE BANK ARAGON BALLROOM
APR 09 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA – THE MASONIC
APR 12 – LOS ANGELES, CA – HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM
One of the most anticipated highlights of the tour is the return of Takanaka’s famed surfboard guitar—a full-size guitar crafted from a real surfboard, originally designed more than 15 years ago. Takanaka has performed with the instrument only a handful of times, after which it was placed on display in a café for over a decade. For SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026, the guitar has been fully restored and will appear on stage again for the first time since its original showcase period, offering fans a piece of musical history reborn.
Tickets are available starting Wednesday, November 12 at 10 AM local with an Artist presale. General on sale begins Friday, November 14 at 10 AM local time on ticketmaster.com.
The tour will also offer a VIP package and experience for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. The package includes a GA Pit ticket with priority access to the pit, VIP exclusive 7-inch vinyl record, specially designed VIP gift item & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com.
As Japanese City Pop continues its remarkable worldwide resurgence—drawing new fans through its nostalgic yet timeless appeal—Live Nation remains committed to expanding the global reach of these genre-defining artists through the City Pop Waves series.
City Pop Waves also includes Taeko Onuki’s first-ever concert outside Japan at Los Angeles’ The Wiltern on February 7, 2026, and ANRI’s first U.S. tour, with performances at Brooklyn Paramount on May 17 and The Wiltern on May 20, 2026.
ABOUT MASAYOSHI TAKANAKA
Masayoshi Takanaka, born in Tokyo in 1953, is a legendary Japanese guitarist, composer, and producer whose career spans over five decades. He began his professional journey in 1971 as a bassist for the progressive rock band Flied Egg , formed with Hiro Tsunoda and the late Shigeru Narumo.
In 1972, he joined the groundbreaking group The Sadistic Mika Band as a guitarist, and following the band’s dissolution, continued to perform as a member of The Sadistics , formed by the remaining core members.
Takanaka made his solo debut in 1976 with the album Seychelles . He soon established himself as a leading figure in Japan’s fusion and instrumental music scene, releasing a succession of acclaimed works including Ready To Fly , Blue Lagoon , and the iconic 1981 concept album The Rainbow Goblins , widely regarded as a milestone in Japanese instrumental music.
Throughout his career, Takanaka has collaborated with many internationally renowned artists such as Lee Ritenour, Carlos Santana, Narada Michael Walden, and Sheila E., contributing to both studio recordings and live performances. His artistry has earned him a reputation for technical brilliance, vibrant musicality, and a distinctive, colorful style.
He released music under Kitty Records and later Toshiba EMI before founding his own label, Lagoon Records , in 2000. Under this imprint, he has maintained full creative independence and continues to tour annually across Japan with unwavering enthusiasm.
In 2021, Takanaka marked the 50th anniversary of his debut with a nationwide tour and a commemorative concert, 50th Anniversary – Rainbow Goblins Final , held at the historic Nippon Budokan on November 20.
In 2023, he celebrated his 70th birthday with an All Time Best tour, captivating audiences from Hokkaido to Okinawa with timeless selections from his extensive catalogue.
From 2024 to early 2025, Takanaka launched a special tour centered on Kurofune —a landmark album by The Sadistic Mika Band —paying homage to his early years. This period also saw a major international milestone: his first-ever performances in Los Angeles, both of which were completely sold out.
As of 2025, Masayoshi Takanaka continues to perform and produce with undiminished passion, embodying the spirit of artistic innovation and excellence that has defined his career. Official Website: www.takanaka.com
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