Empty Pleasantries Won’t Cut It. So We’re Holding a Festival in Osaka.
“Nanno Hanashi Desu ka” roughly means “What Am I Talking About?” (WAITA) in Japanese.
Welcome to the back alleys of note.
Do you remember what you were doing one year ago?
On that day, we denizens of the back alleys gathered underground in Shibuya, fifty of us, keeping a low profile under the guise of a “publishing celebration party.”
One year has passed since then.
There is one thing I can say for sure.
I don’t know whether we’re moving forward or running full speed in the wrong direction, but we haven’t stopped.
We are definitely moving.
Survive the summer.
Beyond summer lies autumn.
And waiting for us this autumn is...
A FESTIVAL.
Yes.
We’re doing it.
In Osaka.
“Nanno Hanashi Desu ka” Festival
Radipop♪ Radipop♪ Version
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Scheduled for 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
5-2-3 Kire, Hirano-ku, Osaka
〒547-0027
Guruguru Sodatsu Nagaya
Here is our theme song.
Give it a listen while you read. If you replace the words with “Radipop,” you’ll start to get a feel for the festival.
Why “Radipop”?
Keep reading and you’ll find out.
This is Osaka.
“Nanno Hanashi Desu ka” is finally landing in Osaka.
We’re hosting an event where you can experience the back alleys for yourself.
The theme is FAILURE.
This is a festival where failure is welcome, and together with all of you, we’re going to create a wonderfully fun day.
One year ago, people politely told me:
“Next time, do it in Kansai.”
I have not forgotten the people who said that.
I wrote their names down.
Empty pleasantries will not save you.
If you said it, come.
For the past several months, I have poured a ridiculous amount of time and energy into this project.
What kind of event could truly capture the spirit of “Nanno Hanashi Desu ka”?
Sometimes Miton got mad at me.
Sometimes Mosquito Eri just shook her head at me.
Sometimes Rii gave up on me.
Sometimes Radi comforted me.
Sometimes Haru-chan pretended she didn’t know me.
And somehow, despite all that, I’m delighted that we’ve finally made it to the day when I can announce this festival.
Everything is for one purpose:
“I have no idea what any of that was about. But it was fun.”
That is the kind of event we want to create.
This event will be held in collaboration with Osaka Fringe 2026.
As we head toward 2030, we intend to pursue an even greater level of:
“I have no idea what any of that was about.”
Event Overview: Food & Drinks
TABBY’s COFFEE
TABBY’s COFFEE, also known around here as “Nanno Hanashi Desu Ka-ffee” is joining us!
At long last, you’ll be able to drink Tabby’s coffee right there at the festival.
And finally meet the owner, masa, and his wonderfully soothing partner, Omugi!
Baked Sweets Cherie
Baked Sweets Cherie, aka “Nanno Hanashi Desu Ka-tisserie” is joining us too!
You’ll be able to enjoy their famous signature apology sweets and other delightful baked treats.
And yes.
You can meet Nanaho-chan.
Take a photo with Nanaho-chan.
And apologize together!
Radi’s Takoyaki & Pop’s Lemon Sour
Perhaps this entire festival was created for these two.
Three months ago, Radi told me:
“I want everyone to taste authentic homemade Osaka takoyaki.”
And from that moment onward, she basically stopped talking about anything except takoyaki.
She is the charismatic shop assistant of our Back Alley Shop.
Then there’s Pop, an ordinary friend of mine who basically drinks nothing but lemon sours, who suddenly declared:
“If there’s going to be takoyaki, I want to make Pop’s Lemon Sour.”
And thus, the dream team was born.
And from these two...
that theme song came into existence.
And more!!
More information will be announced as soon as we’re ready to reveal it.
For those of you who are already exhausted from reading this:
Don’t worry.
We’re only halfway through.
Event Overview: Shops
Outside if it’s sunny. Inside if it rains.
Nanno Hanashi Desu ka Booth
On the day of the festival, Mosquito Eri, our soothing yet eccentric nurse, and I will be running the booth at the entrance.
We’ll be running the booth and, apparently, wearing Halloween costumes!!
AO HIROKI’s Leathercraft Booth
The one and only Hiroki Ao is finally opening a booth of his own!
Buy something on the day.
Order something custom-made.
Or just come over to browse without buying a thing.
Anything goes.
At long last, Hiroki Ao is opening shop.
FUMIWA Club Booth
They’ll be bringing the works of fourteen creators that were showcased at the recent Bungaku Flea Market Osaka, along with the FUMIWA Club anthology.
Packed with distinctive personalities, FUMIWA Club has decided to join us with the determination of a true Kansai representative.
They simply couldn’t sit this one out!
PACHIKO’s Booth
Pachiko, the fluffy soul of the back alleys, is finally lifting the veil.
Along with her adorable illustrations, she plans to sell a selection of goods she has personally poured her heart into.
Of course, even if you come to the festival, nobody will actually know whether the person standing there is really Pachiko.
Aoine
Artist and illustrator Ao Mizumori is one of Tissue Writing Examination Master Miton’s absolute favorite creators.
On Miton’s behalf, allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations.
Heh heh heh.
She normally attends perfectly respectable events and is already extremely busy, so why on earth has she wandered into our back alley?
We may never know.
She plans to bring a selection of Aoine goods, several ZINEs, and a few sets featuring picture-book brooches!
Free Space
We’ll also open up a free space for a ZINE market.
A wonderful collection of creators will gather here.
Event Overview: Workshops
Urimo & Saika Live stand.fm Broadcast
The King of stand.fm, Urimo, and Saika, the woman who somehow manages to control the King himself, will host a live public broadcast.
Now even those who live too far away to attend can no longer say:
“I couldn’t listen!”
Heh heh heh.
Stars from the stand.fm universe will talk their heads off right here in the back alleys!!
We’ll be failing live on air from this channel:
Broadcast Schedule
1. Opening: Around 10:00–11:00 AM
Live from the entrance
Scheduled appearance: Kinoko & Yamamoto Janai, performing tooth-whistling
2. First Floor
Food, drinks, booths, and interviews with exhibitors
3. Second Floor
Hands-on workshop interviews
4. Talk Show
Scheduled guests: Yasushi-san, Takacchi1 P, and anyone else who wants to join
5. Closing: Around 2:00–3:00 PM
A tearful address from Festival Executive Chairperson NauNau
Tissue Writing Examination
The Tissue Writing Examination is joining the festival!!
The miraculous game born in the back alleys is coming to Osaka.
And it is going to blow through the city.
Will you be able to resist writing on a tissue?
Please keep the Master firmly stationed at the booth so he can’t wander off to look at women!!
Nonono’s Astrology Reading
Our back-alley astrologer, Nonono, is joining us!!
At last, she will unravel you, face to face.
Will she read the stars?
Or will she read your heart?
That all depends on the stars that day!!
Kaora’s Zentangle Workshop
Back-alley artist Kaora is joining us!
At last, she is coming to reveal the world of Zentangle.
Will you fall under the spell of Zentangle?
Or will you fall under Kaora’s spell?
She’ll help you discover the artist hiding inside you.
And Finally...
It is time to announce the tooth-whistle performer who will open the festival and the executive chairperson who will oversee the whole thing.
Opening Tooth-Whistle Performer: Yamamoto Janai!!
The festival will begin with the sound of his legendary tooth-whistling.
That whistle will set the entire festival in motion.
Festival Executive Chairperson: NauNau!!
With her watching over us, the safety and security of this festival are now officially guaranteed!!
Gifts for Visitors
The first visitors to arrive will receive various gifts.
Pocket tissues, stickers, notebooks, and more, all created and donated by people who have spent plenty of time failing in preparation for this very day.
They are gifts to make sure everyone feels free to fail and have fun.
Adults and children alike, take your time.
Relax.
And enjoy yourselves.
And that, I believe, is our gift to you:
one entire day overflowing with the spirit of the back alleys.
Our crowdfunding campaign was also a huge success.
We are seriously aiming for the ultimate reaction:
“I have no idea what any of that was about. But it was fun.”
A festival where you’re allowed to fail.
Together with “Nanno Hanashi Desu ka,” the exhibitors, the visitors, and everyone else who wanders into our back alley, let’s laugh at our failures and spend a leisurely day playing together.
We Want to Hold the “Nanno Hanashi Desu ka” Festival
An Entrance to Creativity Where There Is No Right Answer
On October 25, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM (scheduled), the “Nanno Hanashi Desu ka Festival” will be held at Guruguru Sodatsu Nagaya in Osaka.
At last...
we’ve made it this far.
We did it.
Original Jpanese by Konishi Kinoko
English Translation & Adaptation by Emuno Miton
