Kotsu
Born in 1995 in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture.
A member of the house music collective CYK, he has also played numerous gigs solo, both in Japan and abroad.
After relocating to Kyoto in September 2020, he had played in 29 cities across Japan and 8 abroad by 2025, continuing to radiate the pure energy of dance music and clubbing on a nationwide scale.
With CYK, he has invited numerous up-and-coming DJs and producers from overseas, and the collective has appeared on club and festival lineups not only in Japan but also in South Korea, Hong Kong, and beyond.
A member of the house music collective CYK, he has also played numerous gigs solo, both in Japan and abroad.
After relocating to Kyoto in September 2020, he had played in 29 cities across Japan and 8 abroad by 2025, continuing to radiate the pure energy of dance music and clubbing on a nationwide scale.
With CYK, he has invited numerous up-and-coming DJs and producers from overseas, and the collective has appeared on club and festival lineups not only in Japan but also in South Korea, Hong Kong, and beyond.
Artist Interview
What are your musical roots?
The scene around Factory Records in Manchester, UK. It was a battleground of diverse expression, led by post punk and new wave sounds, and dub and dance music were part of it too.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.BalmatThe music itself is wonderful, but the cover art is always outstanding too!
- 2.NAFFA perfect balance between dance material and ambience.
- 3.STROOMAt the end of the day, I'd say it's a label I've kept buying from without a break for years.
Kyoto's Local Scene
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
Plenty of organic movements tied closely to everyday life in the city. There are a lot of students, and many people leave once they start working, so things change quickly, but that's part of the appeal too. And through it all, the Kamo River just keeps flowing.
What local spots would you recommend?
Record Shop
Six Garden Records— 岡崎 / Okazaki
Plenty of leftfield work here, from new releases to old ones.
Café
Cafe WH— 三条木屋町 / Sanjo-Kiyamachi
The club West Harlem's daytime hours. They occasionally hold listening parties.
Which local DJs/artists would you recommend?
There are simply too many amazing DJs, of every age, for me to narrow down...
Showcases
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Pronounced as “Iiju,” based in Kyoto. A deep lover of immersive music. While rooted in house, techno, and minimal, he fr
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A pioneer of Japanese ambient DJs, he has been performing at numerous rave parties since the early 1990s. He has partici
Born in Osaka, now based in Kyoto. Organizer of the hybrid Latin party Our Latin Way. Percussionist for the Naniwa cumbi
Originally from Sichuan Province, China, Bugs Bunny discovered the deep historical connection between HipHop and Latin c
Pronounced as “Iiju,” based in Kyoto. A deep lover of immersive music. While rooted in house, techno, and minimal, he fr
Based in Kyoto and primarily a woodworking artist. Since the 1990s, he has been captivated by Japanese music (“Wa-mono”)
A pioneer of Japanese ambient DJs, he has been performing at numerous rave parties since the early 1990s. He has partici
A buyer for Jazzy Sport Kyoto, he is based in Kyoto and actively performs across various locations, both outdoors and in