Crowdfunding Campaign for Concert in Samarkand

Currently Hikashu is running a crowdfunding campaign. The goal is to make a Hikashu concert in Samarkand, the 1st goal is 2 million yen (about 12,500 USD) and the deadline is July 15th. Investors are offered various benefits depending on their investment amount.

Samarkand is an old city in southeastern Uzbekistan and there is a plan of huge 4-day music festival in late August this year, and Hikashu is seeking a way to participate it, hence the campaign.

Crowdfunding Campaign Site for Hikashu Samarkand Concert

Please cooperate with the crowdfunding campaign to make the band's Samarkand concert a reality. Thank you.


Makigami and Mita explain about their intention for the campaign


Makigami and Mita talking about their visit of Samarkand

The "1978" album reissued as LP and special concert held in September

"1978" will be reissued as vinyl disc in September, and Hikashu plans to make the band's concert in the same month a commemorating event for the release. All the ex-members who participated in the album will appear as guests at the concert. The LP will also be sold in advance at the venue.

The "1978" album is a collection of Hikashu's early 4-track demo recordings and originally released in 1996. This is the second time this album has been reissued, but this marks the first time it has been reissued on LP. This vinyl edition includes three previously unreleased take as bonus tracks, among them "Confusion" — an alternate version of which appeared on a fan-club-exclusive flexi-disc.

Hikashu - 1978 [LP edition] (2026)

Side A:
1. Puyo Puyo
2. At the End of the 20th Century
3. Confusion
4. Doro Doro
5. Thrill

Side B:
1. En-Ten-Ka
2. Rhetorics and Logics
3. A Vinyl Doll
4. Losing My Future
5. Yochu No Kiki
6. Proud Mary

Makigami Koichi - vocal, bass
Mitama Masamichi - guitar, vocal
Inoue Makoto - keyboard, mellotron
Yamashita Yasushi - keyboard, synthesizer
Tobe Satoshi - alto saxophone, guitar, vocal

Recorded in 1978

This edition will be released on September 16, 2026.

available from:
Hikashu Official Store
P-Vine Official Store - 1978
Pre-order now accepting - email us if any questions.

September 11, 2026
"Hikashu Monthly Concert 2026 September"
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
guest - Inoue Makoto (synthesizer), Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer), Tobe Satoshi (saxophone)
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

New Year's greetings 2026 from Hikashu members

Hikash posted a video message for the new year. Here's what they said.

Makigami Koichi
Happy New Year. This year I will be 70 years old. Time flies so fast. Last year we have succeed to release a new album of Hikashu called Nite Hi Naru Toki. And also we have a new member, Koketsu Masayo. Moreover, I have released a solo album of mouse harp, and published the third collection of my poetry. So it was fruitful year indeed. And there is some material to be released so stay tuned. Personally last year I went to Samarkand for the first time. It was impressive and hope to visit there again soon. Anyway, I wish you all the best for a happy and prosperous new year.

Mita Freeman
I'm sure that the coming year will be terrific, in both senses. (He threw some Japanese language jokes, then asked to Koketsu.) How about you?

Koketsu Masayo
(Her resolution for this year is to) stay healthy.

Sato Masaharu
Happy New Year. Sato Masaharu here. Have you heard the new album of Hikashu? It was so fun to make so check it out. Hope to see you in concerts. And the 50 years anniversary of the band will come in a few years. Terrific. I and Shimizu (Kazuto) are new members ... we are in this band for only some 20 years! Besides, I will perform as solo artist as well. I have a band called MASSA, it is a trio with Hosoi Yutaka (keyboard) and Ohta Keisuke (violin). The trio celebrated its 20 years anniversary too. Of course it is shorter than Hikashu but still nice. Wishing you all the best in the new year. Thank you.

Shimizu Kazuto
Last year there were so many things happened as usual. World politics. Virus problem. I have to say things are looking grim. But It'll be all right, as long as we're alive. That's all.

Sakaide Masami
Happy new year everyone. On this new year's day I had slept for 12 hours ... My goal for this year is to stay healthy and get fit. Be in a good shape and make good performances. Thank you for your continued support for the band, and wish you best in the new year. Now I'll go some walking.

Hikashu - Nite Hi Naru Toki (2025)

Hikashu - Nite Hi Naru Toki (2025)

1. Nite Hi Naru Toki [Time Not Quite the Same]
2. Koala Teki Nenriki [Koala-like Telekinesis]
3. Manazashi Kara Kikan Suru [Returning from a Stare]
4. Kawauso No Saiten [Festival of Otters]
5. Bo Ningen [Stick Figure]
6. Ojama Nandayo Chikara Kobu [That Muscle Gets in the Way]
7. Kuuki O Nugu [Taking off the Air]
8. Honoo No Zatunen [Flame of Delusion]
9. Moshika No Sekai [The World of Moshika]
10. Dakuryu Dewa Naku Sazanami No Ariyo De [The Manner of Ripples, not Torrents]
11. Kuuki O Matou [Wrapped Around the Air]

lyrics - makigami
music - makigami (1, 4, 8, 9), sakaide (2, 5), mita (3, 6, 10), sato (7, 11), koketsu (8)

Hikashu -
Makigami Koichi - vocals, theremin, cornet
Mita Freeman - guitar
Koketsu Masayo - alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
Sakaide Masami - bass
Shimizu Kazuto - piano, marimba, synthesizer
Sato Masaharu - drums

additional musician -
Tateiwa Junzo - frame drum, rig

Recorded in Atami and Tokyo, 2025
Engineered, Mixed, and Mastered by Sakaide Masami
Produced by Makigami Koichi

Released on December 4, 2025

Available from Hikashu Music Store

Koketsu Masayo, a New Member

In October, Hikashu officially announced that the band has a new member, Koketsu Masayo, an alto saxophonist and the first female personnel for them.

She has been performing regularly with the band since 2023. Throughout the time, her playing melded well with them, and now she promoted. For Hikashu, it is the first time to add a new member in the 20 years.

Basically a jazz musician, she has played with many first-call musicians in the Japanese jazz scene for years. Currently she has her own band called Nyoinbou.

Beside Japan, she occasionally plays in foreign countries. In the past she has performed in the US, Germany, and Lithuania.

We hope all the best for her and the band in the future.

Koketsu Masayo official site (has links with facebook and X)

masayokoketsu.com

duo with Kirsten Carey in Tokyo


studio recording with her band, Nyoinbou

Hikashu 2025 Fall Tour

Hikashu will embark a tour of Kansai and Chubu regions in November 2025. The first in the last 7 years! The dates are as follows:

November 12 - Pangea, Osaka
November 13 - Takutaku, Kyoto
November 14 - Tokuzo, Nagoya
November 15 - Freaky Show, Shizuoka

Tickets are now available through major venders like eplus.

November 12, 2025
@ Pangea
Osaka
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 4,500 yen - at door 5,000 yen
inquiries - smash west smash-jpn.com/live/?id=4545

Pangea, Osaka

November 13, 2025
@ Takutaku
Kyoto
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 4,500 yen - at door 5,000 yen

Takutaku, Kyoto

November 14, 2025
@ Tokuzo
Nagoya
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 5,000 yen - at door 5,500 yen

Tokuzo, Nagoya

November 15, 2025
@ Freaky Show
Shizuoka
open 17:30 - start 18:00
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,400 yen
(one drink charge required)
op - Maachan with Matsuno, 9090-17, Kotobure

Freaky Show, Shizuoka

Monthly Concert Series January-April 2025

 

Hikashu's monthly concert series continues in 2025. Currently, the announced dates are as follows:

January 25
February 26
March 26
April 24

Hikashu Monthly Concert
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 19:00 start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo