ZUTOMAYO LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO – 2026 Japan

• October 10, 2026
  Event date:
• October 11, 2026
  Event end:

What to expect in 2026

ZUTOMAYO LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO 「文禍伝雷」奈良・平城京 is a special outdoor performance by ずっと真夜中でいいのに。 (ZUTOMAYO), created as a sequel to the arena tour ZOMBIE CRAB LABO. Taking place at the historic Heijo Palace Site Historical Park in Nara on October 10 and 11, 2026, it will be the group’s first large-scale outdoor live performance at the historic site and its largest solo concert to date.

The concept is closely connected to the history and culture of Nara and the former Heijo-kyo capital. Rather than simply transporting a conventional concert production into a new location, ZUTOMAYO has designed the event around the history of the land, local culture, craftsmanship and the imaginary world of its “zombies.”

The event’s story imagines a world in which the former Heijo-kyo has disappeared but its memories remain connected through words and the earth. The title “Bunka Denrai” and the event’s narrative connect writing, culture, history and the idea of a supernatural procession known as “Thunder Compania.” The organizers describe the live event as a night-time “Hyakki Yagyo” procession at Heijo-kyo.

The main concert is only part of the experience. The event also includes the free MATSURI AREA, opening from the morning on both days. This festival area features more than 20 food and drink vendors, collaborative merchandise, five educational and entertainment-oriented workshops, two mini-games, a free side stage, photo spots, a stamp rally and a card battle area.

The MATSURI AREA has been designed to encourage visitors to arrive well before the main concert. It connects the ZUTOMAYO experience with Nara’s history and local businesses, giving attendees opportunities to learn, eat, shop and participate before entering the live-performance area.

The main live show is scheduled for approximately two hours, with the organizers planning to keep the complete performance to no more than around two hours and 15 minutes. This is intended to make it easier for visitors travelling from outside Nara to return home on the same day.

Event dates

ZUTOMAYO LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO 「文禍伝雷」奈良・平城京 takes place on:

• Saturday, October 10, 2026
• Sunday, October 11, 2026

For the main concert, doors open at 3:30 PM and the performance begins at 5:30 PM. The outdoor performance will proceed in rain but may be cancelled in severe weather.

The free MATSURI AREA operates on both dates from approximately 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with entry expected from around 9:30 AM. Some shops and activities may continue until approximately 9:30 PM, depending on the individual operation.

The two-day programme is intended to be substantially similar. The organizers have specifically stated that the main live show has a different setlist and production from the ZOMBIE CRAB LABO arena tour, while the basic setlist is expected to be the same on both Nara dates.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & festival site

The main performance takes place at Heijo Palace Site Historical Park, Central Ward, Chodoin, Special Outdoor Venue.

Address: 528-1 Saki-cho, Nara City, Nara 630-8003, Japan

The site forms part of the extensive Heijo Palace Site Historical Park, the location of the former imperial palace and government centre of Heijo-kyo, the capital of Japan during much of the Nara period.

The concert uses a specially constructed outdoor venue within the Central Chodoin area. This makes the setting fundamentally different from the indoor arenas used for the group’s 2026 ZOMBIE CRAB LABO tour.

The wider event footprint also extends into the park’s Saeki Gate East Square, where the MATSURI AREA is located west of the main live venue. This free festival zone allows visitors to enjoy activities before the concert without holding a live-performance ticket.

The historical surroundings are an intentional part of the event concept. The organizers have emphasized learning from the site’s history and culture and creating an experience that belongs specifically to Nara rather than reproducing a standard touring concert.

Full lineup

The principal performing artist is ZUTOMAYO, the Japanese musical project ずっと真夜中でいいのに。 led by ACAね.

Unlike a conventional multi-artist music festival, LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO is a ZUTOMAYO solo performance rather than a festival featuring a large lineup of unrelated headline artists.

The event is therefore centered on:

• ZUTOMAYO / ずっと真夜中でいいのに。
• ACAね and the ZUTOMAYO performance team
• The band’s live musicians and supporting performance production
• Special cultural contributors in the daytime MATSURI AREA
• Local Nara participants and collaborators
• Side-stage guests and educational contributors

The daytime programme adds a broader group of contributors. The organizers have announced participation from researchers at the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, soil researcher Kazuto Fujii, members of Open Reel Ensemble, the Nara-based live house NEVERLAND and Nara Prefecture mascot Sentokun.

Headliners & featured artists

ZUTOMAYO

ZUTOMAYO is the undisputed headline act for the main performance. The group is known for highly produced live shows that combine ACAね’s vocals and songwriting with elaborate visual environments, musicianship and distinctive stage concepts.

This Nara performance is particularly significant because it is being presented as the largest solo performance in ZUTOMAYO’s history. The organizers expanded the planned capacity after receiving more applications than expected during the member presale, adjusting the layout toward a scale of approximately 60,000 or more attendees.

ACAね

ACAね is the central creative and performing figure behind ZUTOMAYO. The group’s performances combine her vocal delivery with the project’s distinctive visual and theatrical identity.

Open Reel Ensemble

Members of Open Reel Ensemble appear as contributors to the daytime MATSURI AREA programme, where they will provide an introduction to their musical techniques and performance approach.

Nara cultural contributors

The daytime side stage also features contributors connected to Nara’s history, archaeology, science, music and local culture, making the event broader than a conventional concert.

Stages & performance areas

The event has two main performance environments: the large outdoor live venue and the daytime MATSURI AREA.

Main Live Stage

The main stage is located in the Central Chodoin special outdoor venue. This is where ZUTOMAYO performs its full-length LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO concert beginning at 5:30 PM.

The production is being created specifically for the Heijo Palace Site and is separate from the ZOMBIE CRAB LABO arena production.

MATSURI AREA

The MATSURI AREA is located in the Saeki Gate East Square area, west of the main live venue. Admission is free and does not require a concert ticket.

It includes:

• Food and drink stalls
• Official and collaboration merchandise
• Five workshops
• Two mini-games
• Side stage
• Photo spots
• Stamp rally
• Card battle area

The area operates from approximately 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with entry expected from 9:30 AM.

Side Stage “昼ノ宴”

The free side stage runs from approximately 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM on both days. It features Nara-related talks, cultural presentations, music activities and guest appearances.

Stage-by-stage schedule

The currently announced schedule is organized around the MATSURI daytime programme and the main evening concert.

MATSURI AREA

• 9:30 AM – Expected MATSURI AREA entry
• 10:00 AM – MATSURI AREA begins
• 10:00 AM–5:30 PM – Workshops and mini-games
• 10:00 AM–5:30 PM – Food, drink, merchandise and festival activities
• 10:30 AM–3:00 PM – Side Stage “昼ノ宴”
• 5:30 PM – Planned end of the main daytime MATSURI programme

Some shops and individual activities may continue beyond the main MATSURI operating period, with selected content planned to continue until approximately 9:30 PM.

Main Live Venue

• 3:30 PM – Main concert doors open
• 5:30 PM – ZUTOMAYO LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO main performance
• Approximately 7:30 PM – Expected end based on the planned two-hour performance
• Maximum planned concert duration: approximately 2 hours 15 minutes

The exact running order and individual song sequence have not been published in advance.

Set times

The main ZUTOMAYO performance begins at 5:30 PM on both October 10 and October 11.

The organizers expect the live performance itself to last approximately two hours and have planned for the complete show to remain within approximately two hours and 15 minutes. This means the performance should finish at roughly 7:30–7:45 PM if it follows the published plan.

The MATSURI AREA provides a separate daytime schedule beginning in the morning, allowing concert ticket holders and other visitors to spend much of the day around the site before the main show.

The side stage is scheduled for approximately 10:30 AM–3:00 PM, while workshops and mini-games operate from approximately 10:00 AM–5:30 PM.

Because the event is outdoors, all schedules remain subject to weather and operational conditions.

Ticket types

The main concert has four principal admission options.

Standard Area

Approximately $76 USD. This is a block-designated standing ticket with an assigned entry number and includes an original commemorative rubber wristband.

Premium Area Upgrade

Approximately $19 USD additional on top of an eligible ticket, making the combined admission approximately $95 USD. The Premium Area uses block-designated standing admission with an entry number. Approximately 4,000 Premium Area tickets were planned.

Rear Free Area

Approximately $41 USD. This is the more accessible-priced concert area positioned toward the rear and designed to make the performance easier for local residents, families and first-time concertgoers to attend.

Rear Free Area – Nara Resident Discount

Approximately $35 USD. This reduced price is available when the applicant is a resident of Nara Prefecture and can provide the required identification at entry.

Children under school age are not admitted to the Standard Area. They may enter the Rear Free Area free of charge when accompanied by a guardian, subject to the event’s entry rules.

The MATSURI AREA itself is free to enter, although individual workshops and mini-games require separate participation tickets. The prices for those activities had not yet been announced in the latest official update.

VIP & premium options

The event’s main premium experience is the Premium Area upgrade.

The Premium Area provides block-designated standing admission and an assigned entry number. Around 4,000 upgrades were planned, making this a limited-capacity section within the much larger outdoor venue.

The upgrade was initially offered to eligible purchasers during the dedicated premium application period from August 26 to August 30, 2026. Results and payment were scheduled for September 5–7.

The event does not advertise a conventional VIP lounge, meet-and-greet or backstage package. The premium benefit is primarily the upgraded viewing area.

The Standard Area also includes a commemorative original rubber wristband, with different event-date designs indicated for October 10 and October 11.

Event rules

The concert is an all-standing outdoor performance, so visitors should prepare for extended periods on their feet.

Important rules and precautions include:

• The event proceeds in rain but may be cancelled in severe weather.
• Umbrellas cannot be used inside the live area.
• Raincoats or other non-umbrella rain protection are recommended.
• The performance may be modified, interrupted or cancelled because of weather or other unavoidable circumstances.
• Standard Area admission is not available to preschool children.
• Preschool children may enter the Rear Free Area free with a guardian.
• Nara Resident Discount applicants must be residents of Nara Prefecture.
• Identification is checked for the applicant using the local-resident discount.
• Applicants and accompanying persons must enter together.
• If eligibility cannot be verified, the difference in ticket price may be charged.
• Re-entry conditions are subject to the event’s ticket and venue rules.
• Visitors should follow staff instructions regarding crowd movement and restricted areas.
• The event is outdoors, so suitable footwear and weather protection are strongly recommended.

The organizers also ask visitors to consider the needs of others in the rear free area. Approximately 70 cm square of personal sheet space is requested where sheets are permitted, and visitors are asked not to bring folding chairs. Space for leisure sheets is limited.

How to get there

The main venue is located within Heijo Palace Site Historical Park in northern Nara.

The event organizers recommend arriving by public transportation because there is no parking facility immediately around the concert venue.

The principal walking routes are:

• Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station: approximately 15 minutes
• Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station: approximately 15 minutes
• JR Nara Station: approximately 35 minutes

The wider park’s official access information gives a walking estimate of around 20 minutes from both Shin-Omiya and Yamato-Saidaiji stations, depending on the route taken through the park.

Because the venue is inside a large historical park, visitors should allow extra time for walking from the station to the specific event entrance.

Public transport & parking

Public transportation is the recommended method of reaching the event.

Kintetsu Railway

Shin-Omiya and Yamato-Saidaiji are the two most useful railway stations for walking to the special concert venue.

JR Nara Station

JR Nara Station is farther away on foot but provides useful connections for visitors arriving from Kyoto, Osaka and other cities.

Nara Kotsu buses

The park’s official access information lists buses to the Suzaku-mon Hiroba-mae stop from Yamato-Saidaiji, Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara.

Parking

The concert organizers specifically state that there is no parking around the venue and instruct visitors to use public transportation.

The wider Heijo Palace Site Historical Park does have several parking areas, but these are not equivalent to dedicated concert parking and can become heavily congested during busy periods. The park itself recommends public transportation whenever possible.

Visitors arriving by car should therefore avoid relying on the park’s ordinary sightseeing parking as their primary concert-day plan.

Accommodation areas

Nara Station

The area around JR Nara Station is convenient for visitors who want easy railway connections and access to Nara’s major sightseeing areas. It also provides a broad selection of hotels, restaurants and convenience stores.

Kintetsu Nara

Staying near Kintetsu Nara Station places visitors close to Nara Park, shopping streets and restaurants while providing convenient access to the wider Kintetsu network.

Shin-Omiya

Shin-Omiya is particularly practical for this event because the station is one of the closest railway stations to the concert venue. It can reduce the amount of walking required after the evening performance.

Yamato-Saidaiji

This area is useful for visitors who want direct access toward both Nara and Osaka. It is also one of the closest major railway stations to the Heijo Palace Site.

Osaka

Visitors who prefer to stay in a larger city can base themselves in Osaka and travel to Nara for the event. However, because the concert finishes in the evening, attendees should check their return train schedule before the performance.

The organizers have also announced dedicated live-tour buses from locations in Kansai and Nagoya. These buses connect directly with the event’s bus loading area and are designed to allow passengers to board after the performance.

Food & drink

Food is a major component of the MATSURI AREA.

More than 20 selected food and drink vendors are planned, with many connected to Nara, Nara-period culture or collaborations created specifically for the event.

Announced food and drink participants include:

• Kenichi Shizen Nouen – Yamato tea
• Honke Kikuya – Japanese sweets
• kakigori Hōsekibako – shaved ice using an Amakazu-inspired syrup
• Kakinoha-zushi Sohonten Hirasō – persimmon-leaf sushi
• Bosatsu Curry – spice curry
• Omusubi Banjun – tea rice and rice balls
• Neira Fermentation – fermented foods
• Tenobe Takadaya – hand-stretched somen noodles
• Butter Sand Specialty Shop Komachi – butter sandwiches
• TEGAIMON CAFE – jelly-in-juice drinks
• Kotoka no Shizuku – strawberry milk

The food programme gives visitors an opportunity to sample modern interpretations of Nara-related food culture while remaining within the event’s broader historical theme.

Because the MATSURI AREA opens from the morning, visitors can eat and drink before the main performance rather than relying entirely on food inside the live area.

Accessibility

The organizers have incorporated accessibility considerations into the MATSURI AREA.

The workshop and mini-game information specifically states that assistance can be provided to wheelchair users and other visitors who require support. Visitors with questions about participation should speak with the staff at the general reception area.

However, the event takes place across a large outdoor historical park rather than inside a conventional concert hall. Visitors should therefore be prepared for longer walking distances, outdoor surfaces and possible weather conditions.

The organizers’ access information strongly recommends public transportation. Because the park is extensive, visitors with mobility needs should allow extra time between station arrival, event entrances and individual festival areas.

The all-standing nature of the main concert is also important when planning attendance. Visitors who need seating or other accommodations should check the latest official guidance before travelling.

Best days to attend

Both October 10 and October 11 feature the same overall event concept, including the MATSURI AREA, side stage and main ZUTOMAYO performance. The organizers expect the basic setlist to be the same on both days.

Saturday, October 10

The Saturday date can suit visitors who want to make a full weekend of their Nara trip. It provides an opportunity to arrive early, spend the day in the MATSURI AREA and experience the evening concert.

Sunday, October 11

The Sunday performance offers essentially the same main programme and can work well for visitors whose travel plans make the second day more convenient.

For visitors interested in the daytime cultural programme, arriving early on either day is useful because the side stage begins around 10:30 AM and the workshops and mini-games operate during the daytime.

Visitors who want a less rushed experience should consider staying overnight in Nara rather than attempting a long-distance return immediately after the concert.

Previous year’s highlights

There was no direct 2025 edition of LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO 「文禍伝雷」, but ZUTOMAYO had several major live projects during 2025 that provide important context for the 2026 event.

One of the major highlights was ZUTOMAYO OMOTE EXPO 2025 「名巧は愚なるが如し」, held at EXPO Arena “Matsuri” during Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai. The September 2 performance was presented as a special event connected to the group’s earlier arena tour and used the Expo’s large outdoor-oriented arena setting.

The 2025 OMOTE EXPO performance was approximately 75 minutes and used a festival-style live format rather than transporting the complete arena-tour production. It featured a Premium Area and Expo reserved area, with the Premium Area reserved for ZUTOMAYO PREMIUM members.

ZUTOMAYO also held the member-only Cosmic Doro Dango Tour from September through December 2025 and the YAKI YAKI YANKEE TOUR Continued “Meiko wa Gunaruga Gotōshi” during spring 2025. These projects contributed to the group’s continuing live-production development.

The 2026 ZUTOMAYO INTENSE II “ZOMBIE CRAB LABO” arena tour then became the direct predecessor to the Nara event. The organizers explicitly describe LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO as its sequel while confirming that the Nara show will have a different setlist and different production.

The Nara concert therefore represents a shift from large indoor arenas toward a specially designed outdoor historical environment, combining ZUTOMAYO’s established live-production style with Nara’s cultural setting.

Official tickets

General ticket sales for LEGACY ZOMBIE LABO 「文禍伝雷」奈良・平城京 began on September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM, including the Rear Free Area and Nara Resident Discount.

The official Ticket Pia page currently shows the event dates and ticket information, while the latest crawl indicates that the currently displayed ticket allocations may have closed or changed depending on the individual performance date. Visitors should check the official sales page for any remaining general-release or resale availability.

https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventBundleCd=b2670292

https://zutomayo.net/bunka-denrai/

The official event page is the best source for last-minute information concerning weather, venue access, schedule changes, merchandise, MATSURI AREA activities and concert rules.

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