In a metropolis the size of Tokyo, it is no surprise that there are several large orchestras and a number of high-quality concert halls. But the number of orchestras performing daily can be hard to keep track of, particularly as some have very similar names: Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra — and these are just the ones that are regular members of the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras.

It seems difficult enough for Tokyo to support all these groups, but outside the capital, the situation for regional orchestras is unlikely to be better.

Enter The Festival of Visiting Japanese Orchestras. Started in 1998, it is held at and sponsored by the Sumida Triphony Hall in the Tokyo district of Kinshicho, along with support from the Agency for Cultural Affairs, among others. From March 20-28, this series of concerts features The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker, Century Orchestra Osaka, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra and Gunma Symphony Orchestra.