LOVE FOR NIPPON brought together a range of artists with varying styles but sharing a common message: Positivity and support for the Tohoku area of Japan after the 2011 earthquake.

Under a blanket of rolling clouds pierced by morning sunshine, singer-songwriter Kenichiro Tanimoto (more famously known as “TANIKEN”) welcomed festival-goers with upbeat and cheerful songs aimed at children. Sporting his trademark “afro” hairstyle, he led the crowd in sing-alongs about bumpy bus rides and blue skies. Children and their parents were clapping along together, mimicking TANAKEN’s animated motions in each song. He left the audience with the message of hope for the children and future of Japan.

Later, beatbox team known as Katori Senkou took the stage. Members HYS and B-sic performed acapella, sometimes batting, sometimes harmonizing. They worked in a beatbox remix rendition of “Uptown Funk” as well as a cover of Vaundy’s hit “odoriko”. Both members elementary school students in Tohoku at the time of the earthquake in 2011, they are now spreading love and positivity from their hometown to the world through their talents.

Third in line, soul musician Toshimi Watanabe appeared on stage with his guitar, playing a mixture of covers and his own material. At the end of the set, all the musicians gathered together singing a song about their beloved hometown in Fukushima, Tohoku prefecture.

They reminded the crowd at last that rebuilding only comes from positivity and pressing onward together. The artists message along with the lovely morning weather left everyone in a happy mood.