A Special Planetarium Stage You Can Step Inside
Akina Nakamori, one of Japan’s most iconic pop divas, comes to life again in a spectacular full-dome planetarium experience.
Akina Nakamori: The Stage – Planetarium is now screening in Kobe, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in her legendary performances inside a giant 360-degree dome.
The program reconstructs classic NHK television performances and recent live footage for projection across the entire planetarium dome, creating what feels like a fully immersive Akina Nakamori concert.
Who Is Akina Nakamori?
For international audiences, Akina Nakamori is one of the defining voices of Japanese pop music.
She debuted on May 1, 1982, and quickly became one of the most influential female idols of the 1980s. Known as a true “diva” in Japan, she stood out for her emotional depth, dramatic expression, and powerful voice—qualities that helped her transcend the idol image and become a respected artist.
After stepping back from the spotlight for many years, she has gradually returned to live performances, and her legacy continues to inspire both longtime fans and a new generation discovering her music.
A Special Project Across Three Cities
This planetarium project was created as a new form of expression, blending Akina Nakamori’s live performances with the immersive power of a full-dome theater.
Screenings began in Tokyo on November 28, 2025, followed by Fukuoka on December 4, and Kobe on December 18, allowing fans across Japan to experience this unique tribute.
Akina’s Greatest Hits Fill the Dome
Video images projected inside the planetarium (Photo courtesy of HZ VILLAGE Inc.)
The program features Akina Nakamori’s most beloved songs, from her debut hit “Slow Motion” to classics like “DESIRE – Passion” and “Kazari ja Nai no yo Namida wa” (“Tears Are Not Just for Show”).
These performances are drawn mainly from rare NHK broadcast footage and are accompanied by specially designed visuals that move and expand across the curved dome, surrounding the audience with sound and light.
Watching these legendary performances on a full-dome screen creates a scale and intimacy that no ordinary screen can match. It is truly a concert experience you can only have here.
A New Kind of Live Experience
The dome theater at Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum, the Kobe screening venue.
At first, the idea of watching a concert in a planetarium may sound unusual.
But once the show begins, the format makes perfect sense.
Because the visuals surround you, there is no single point of focus. Instead of staring at one screen, you explore the entire dome with your eyes, discovering new angles and details of Akina’s presence on stage. It feels less like watching and more like being inside the performance.
An Experience That Connects Generations
For longtime fans, this show brings back the emotions of Akina’s golden era—nostalgic yet powerful.
For younger audiences, it offers a first encounter with the timeless charisma of a true Japanese pop legend.
The planetarium space naturally dissolves the distance between generations, allowing everyone to share the same “stage.”
Familiar yet new, nostalgic yet fresh, this full-dome experience reveals once again why Akina Nakamori remains such a compelling artist.
Kobe Screening Information
Venue:
Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum – Dome Theater (Planetarium)
Screening Period:
December 18, 2025 – January 30, 2026
Official website (Japanese)
