Repertoire
[Preliminaries (recordeding)]
Free works within 10 minutes (multiple works/excerpts possible)
[Second Round (live)]
Free works, no more than 10 minutes (multiple pieces/excerpts allowed)
*Works cannot overlap with those from the preliminary round (recorded)
[Final Round (live)]
Free piece of music, no more than 15-25 minutes (multiple pieces/excerpts allowed)
*Works can overlap with those from the second round
Application period
[Preliminaries (recording)]
Application period: January 18, 2026, 0:00 to May 17, 2026, 23:59 *Japan time
[Second Round (live)]
Date: August 19, 2026
Venue: Saitama City Plaza East Video Theater
[Final Round (live)]
Date: August 20, 2026
Venue: Saitama City Plaza East Hall
Results
[Preliminary Round (recording)]
June 28, 2026, 8:00 PM
*The judging results will be announced on the competition website.
*Scores and judges' comments will be sent to each contestant via email at a later date.
*If the number of applications significantly exceeds expectations, the announcement date may be changed.
[Second Preliminary Round (live)]
August 19, 2026
*The judging results will be announced on the competition website.
*Scores and judges' comments will be sent to each contestant via email at a later date.
[Final Round (live)]
August 20, 2026
*The judging results will be announced on the competition website and posted at the venue.
*Scores and judges' comments will be sent to each contestant via email at a later date.
Application Method
Please follow the order below to complete your application.
①Payment of entry fee
Pay the fee by PayPal so that it will be deposited by May 17, 2026.
Entry fee:[Preliminaries] 100USD >>CLICK HERE
[Final round] 250 USD
*Please take a screenshot of the payment completion e-mail.
* Separate payments are required for the same contestant with different instruments and performance styles (eg piano solo and piano duo).
②Photographing contestants
Please prepare a photo of the contestant (upper body, taken from the front).
* We recommend a high-quality image of about 2MB.
*Photos will be used for programs and publicity.
③ Uploading of video data
Please shoot the performance at home or studio, etc., and upload it to YouTube. You will need the URL when applying.
・The face of the performer must be included in the photo. There are no restrictions on recording dates.
・The recording date must be within one year from the submission date.
・Recording with a smartphone such as an iPhone is also possible. However, in some models, the sound during recording may be recorded in monaural.
・It is recommended to set the public setting of the video to "Unlisted".
・Videos that have already been shot at recitals, etc. are also subject to review.
・Replacing or changing the submitted video will not be accepted.
④Application
Apply using the form below .
Application form >>CLICK HERE
*Please do not change the currency
*Once your application is complete, you will automatically receive an email with the details of your application. If you do not receive a reply email, please check your inbox settings and spam folder.
Prizes
[Second Round]
・Selected Contestants (Final Round contestants only)
・Excellent Prize (selected from non-Final Round contestants)
[Final Round]
・1st Place: ¥100,000 Prize / Solo Recital (Scheduled for 2027)
・2nd Place: ¥50,000 Prize
・3rd Place: ¥30,000 Prize
・4th Place
・5th Place
・Encouragement Prize
・Jury Special Prize
・Saitama Prefecture Governor's Award (Awarded to a contestant residing in Saitama Prefecture who has given an outstanding performance)
*If multiple contestants are tied, the prize money will be divided.
Awards ceremony
Date and Time: August 20, 2026
Venue: Plaza East Hall (1440-8 Nakao, Midori-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture)
Performance and judging notes
・We will disclose the age information of the contestants to the judges and score them according to the age-appropriate judging criteria.
・The length of the performance will not affect the judging.
・There is no upper or lower cut for scoring.
・If you exceed the time limit, points will not be deducted, but the part from the beginning to the specified time will be judged.
・We will determine the winning order based on the points. Therefore, multiple winners may be selected for the same prize.
・The special prize will be selected according to the selection policy of each prize, regardless of the total score.