Fafafoom: What do you think is the biggest challenge of getting new fans and supports for YANAKIKU?
Kiku: While performing is a great boost to get new fans, it’s hard afterwards when they don’t get to see us for a long time. So we do our best to keep in touch via social media, such as Facebook and Instagram. We’re hoping to connect with more fans that way.
Yana: It means a lot to us, and we’re so happy that you remember us. Thank you so much!
June 28, 2016 — Japanese kimono-cosplay duo YANAKIKU will return to San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit at the Fort Mason Center on July 23 and 24, 2016.
YANAKIKU made their American performance debut at the Japanese cultural festival in 2014, and they returned last year to host J-Pop Summit’s Ryokan Pavilion. This year, singers YANA and KIKU will appear at the Iichiko USA booth to introduce attendees to Japan’s best-selling shochu.
Japanese designer Nobuko Ariga (“NOBU”) combines contemporary and traditional Japanese fashion for strong, feminine image
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2016 — Japanese kimono-cosplay duo YANAKIKU debuted new costumes at their first hosting event, “YANAKIKU Chindouchuu Hizakurige Sono Ichi” at Tokyo’s Daikanyama LOOP on March 30.
After high-energy sets by guests Cyntia, LUI FRONTiC Akabane Japan, and Hatsune with BAYBAND, performers Yana and Kiku emerged in slick black outfits hand-crafted by Japanese designer Nobuko Ariga (“NOBU”), renowned for her work in several film and theatrical productions. Ariga has produced all of YANAKIKU’s eye-catching ensembles which have been a major source of attention from their international fans.
February 26, 2016 — Japanese pop duo YANAKIKU has released a behind-the-scenes video documentary of their February 13th visit to Osaka, their first concert in the city in over 10 months. The girls board the shinkansen for their journey to the February 13th “Wonder World” concert event at the popular FANJ Twice live house, sampling local foods and giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their pre-show preparation. The video also features live performances including YANAKIKU’s latest song “KIRA KIRA TOKIO”.
YANAKIKU drops new song Kira Kira Tokio at Roppongi one-man show
December 18, 2015 – J-Pop Kimono Cosplay duo YANAKIKU released a venue-only edition of their new song “Kira Kira Tokio” at their one-man show at Roppongi Morph-Tokyo on December 12. The “one-coin” (500 yen) single featuring YANAKIKU’s signature playful lyrics and club-ready beats will be available next year to fans worldwide.
YANAKIKU has spent the year promoting their full-album release YANAKIKU NO ENBAN, along with multiple performances at festivals in Japan, America, and Asia, including San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit and the Yangon Runway Girls Collection feat. Sean Kingston in Myanmar.
YANAKIKU ONE-MAN SHOW
Roppongi Morph-Tokyo
2015.12.12
Set List
1. Hito Hito
2. Hi Beam
3. Golden Gai
MC
4. Agaru Girl
5. UP↑SIDE↓DOWN
6. Miwaku no lady
MC
7. Paku Paku Kingyo
8. Orihime
9. Game Controller
10. Sabon no Yuwaku
11. KIRA KIRA TOKIO
MC
12. Guru Guru Choice
MC
13. FUNK★JAPAN
14. YANAKIKU chudoku kindanshoujoh
15 Fujiyama△Disco
En1：Hello World
En2：NINJA IROHA
YANAKIKU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yanakiku
YANAKIKU YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/YANAKIKU
YANAKIKU on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Vx2dJBBTKvSIR9PoBuDOb
YANAKIKU on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yanakiku-no-enban/id959847850
VIDEOS
https://youtu.be/o6q8kGTYLwI
YANAKIKU PROFILE
Japanese pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU formed in 2012 and released their first single “Miwaku No LADY” in October 2012. In 2013, they launched their second single “UP↑SIDE↓DOWN” and performed for international audiences at Hyper Japan 2013 (London) and TIFFCOM 2013 (Japan).
In January 2014, YANAKIKU performed at Tokyo Dome’s Furusato Matsuri and followed up with a special “New Year Event with Japanese Artists 2014″ live show in Korea. In April 2014, they released their new music video “FUJIYAMA DISCO,” achieving over 20,000 views in the first week, followed by a digital release of English and Japanese versions of the song in 109 countries. In July 2014 they returned to the UK for an encore performance at Hyper Japan 2014 and made their American debut at San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit.
YANAKIKU released their first full album YANAKIKU NO ENBAN in March 2015. With their unique costumes named “Kimo-Cos” (“Kimono Cosplay”) and their live Japanese calligraphy, YANAKIKU’s high-energy performances and bright, funny personalities are winning over music fans worldwide.
“For us, kimono cosplay is like a battle uniform. When we wear them, we are ready to perform as Yanakiku. The kimono costumes also evoke a strong feeling and impact for the audience.”
August 19, 2015 – Japanese vocal/dance unit YANAKIKU made their triumphant return to San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit during the August 8-9 weekend, returning to the spot of their American debut last year.
YANAKIKU presided over the event’s Cosplay Masquerade and J-Pop Idol Contests with laughter and smiles and welcomed visitors to the Ryokan Pavilion where attendees donned kimono and wooden sandals to experience a traditional Japanese inn.
YANAKIKU ADDS LIVE CONCERT TO J-POP SUMMIT APPEARANCE
Japanese Pop Duo will host POP Travel Area and share stage with FEMM and Ken Ishii at J-POP LIVE NIGHT II.
July 23, 2015 – J-Pop Summit has announced the details of their second night of Japanese music performances, including live concerts from kimono cosplay singers YANAKIKU, electro-pop mannequin duo FEMM, and Japan’s legendary techno DJ, Ken Ishii.
Japanese Pop Duo Became Fan Favorites at Last Year’s Festival
Music Video Features New Fashion Outfits and Comedy Guest Star
June 22, 2015 – After their celebrated performance at 2014’s J-Pop Summit, Japanese pop duo YANAKIKU will return to San Francisco this summer.
This year, YANA and KIKU will become “Nakai,” the concierge of Japanese traditional inns at the festival’s “Ryokan Pavilion” at the POP TRAVEL Area inside Fort Mason Center. At the pavilion, visitors can experience the culture of Japanese traditional “ryokan,” including rooms, foods, hot-springs, views, souvenirs. Guests are invited to wear yukata and geta (Japanese kimono robes and wooden sandals) and enjoy a virtual tour which recreates ryokan stays through a combination of HD video projection and life-sized scale model rooms.
May 14, 2015 – J-Pop kimono-cosplay vocal unit YANAKIKU released their self-designed set of LINE stickers this week for the popular international messaging app. The sticker set focuses on the colorful personalities and food obsessions of members YANA and KIKU, including a special sticker for the group’s favorite Japanese food (and frequent accidental name substitute) yakiniku.
July 25, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU made their USA debut at San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit last weekend, giving American fans their first opportunity to see YANAKIKU’s high-energy performance and comedic MC. The duo gave a special name to the packed audience in San Francisco’s Japan Town, proclaiming “You are the lettuce, we are the meat!” before beginning their live set which included recent releases “FUJIYAMA DISCO” and an English version of their unreleased song “Ninja Iroha”.
June 9, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU will make their American debut at San Francisco’s J-Pop Summit on July 19. The Kimono Cosplay singers will perform on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japan Town and participate in the festival’s Cosplay Masquerade in addition to meet and greet sessions and cosplay demonstrations at their booth all weekend long.
May 12, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU will return to Hyper Japan July 25-27 at Earl’s Court in London, England. After a successful performance at the UK’s largest Japanese culture event in 2013, the rising star Kimo-Cos (kimono cosplay) singer/songwriters were invited to return for an encore performance at this year’s festival which features Japanese culture, food, music, cosplay, game, and anime events.
April 22, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU’s new song “FUJIYAMA DISCO” is set for digital release on May 7, 2014. The rising star Kimo-Cos (kimono cosplay) singer/songwriters made the announcement during their April 19 live show at Ikebukuro mismatch to the excitement of their fans.
April 11, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU revealed the eye-popping music video for their new single “FUJIYAMA DISCO” this week, scoring over 20,000 views in the first few days of release.
January 14, 2014 – J-Pop female vocal duo YANAKIKU previewed several new songs during their one-man live show at Harajuku’s Astro Hall on December 23, 2013, including “Ninja Iroha,” “Game Controller,” and a new English version of the upcoming release “Fuijyama Disco”. The rising star KIMOCOS (Kimono Cosplay) performers displayed a variety of Harajuku-inspired fashion, including outfits combining the images of Mount Fuji and disco balls.
November 18, 2013 – J-Pop vocal and KIMOCOS (“Kimono Cosplay”) performance group YANAKIKU opened their official Facebook page this month, following their performances for international audiences at Hyper Japan in London this summer and the Tokyo International Music Market in October. The duo released the music video for their second single “UP↑SIDE↓DOWN” earlier this year.
