JTB Hawaii Travel, LLC, in collaboration with ASOBISYSTEM CO., LTD., successfully hosted the music and culture event, ASOBIEXPO HAWAII 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 16, 2026.
The event marked the first international edition of ASOBIEXPO, a music and culture showcase that brings Japanese pop culture to a global audience, introducing a new form of entertainment to Hawaii.
The event was launched as a new initiative to strengthen cultural exchange between Japan and Hawaii and was announced as a sister event to the Honolulu Festival.
To build a diverse audience, organizers coordinated dedicated fan club tours from Japan, while ticketing through Ticketmaster made the event easily accessible to local attendees in Hawaii as well as fans across the U.S. mainland.
Leveraging Hawaii’s unique geographic position between Japan and North America, the event brought together fans from all three regions, creating a dynamic platform for cross-cultural connection and shared experiences.
Promotional efforts included social media and video advertising, as well as PR through local media and city-wide poster placements to increase awareness.
Additionally, street banners along Kalakaua Avenue and a specially wrapped promotional vehicle, “ASOBIEXPRESS,” were deployed throughout Waikiki, helping to build anticipation and excitement across the city.
As the sun set, the atmosphere transformed into a vibrant fusion of music and culture, creating a uniquely immersive experience.
A large-scale LED screen was incorporated into the stage design to enhance the ASOBIEXPO visual identity, delivering a dynamic performance environment where visuals and music seamlessly merged.
At the time of the event, Hawaii was experiencing strong winds due to a Kona storm.
Given the wind load challenges associated with large LED structures, safety considerations were a top priority.
To address this, a transparent mesh-type LED screen was utilized, allowing wind to pass through while maintaining high visual performance, successfully balancing safety and production quality.
Within the venue, various photo spots, signage, and teardrop banners blending ASOBIEXPO’s aesthetic with Hawaii-inspired elements were installed, creating an environment where guests could naturally immerse themselves in the event experience.
The ASOBIEXPRESS vehicle was also displayed on-site, becoming a popular photo attraction among attendees.
In addition, sponsored lounge tents were set up in the lawn area, where guests could relax and enjoy the event in a picnic-style setting, creating a uniquely Hawaiian atmosphere.
Sponsor booths were designed and produced to meet each partner’s objectives, balancing brand visibility with attendee experience.
For official merchandise, JTB Hawaii worked closely with ASOBISYSTEM from the product development stage, collaboratively exploring sales approaches tailored to Hawaii’s unique purchasing behavior.
Through these efforts, merchandise was successfully positioned to appeal not only to fans from Japan but also to local audiences, contributing to the overall vibrancy of the event.
In addition, children aged 10 and under residing in Hawaii were invited to attend the event free of charge, providing opportunities to experience diverse cultures and creativity.
Tickets were also offered to students of the Japanese school in Hawaii (Rainbow Gakuen), resulting in attendance by many families.
Through exposure to Japanese pop culture, the event aimed to inspire cross-cultural understanding and provide meaningful opportunities for learning and new connections.
JTB Hawaii offers a wide range of services including event planning, production, promotions, and MICE solutions.
With over 60 years of experience in Hawaii, we leverage our expertise and extensive network to deliver tailored solutions that meet our clients’ needs.
For inquiries regarding events and projects in Hawaii, please feel free to contact us.
