Five-member group ARASHI announced on May 6 that they will hold a concert tour around spring 2026. They also announced that this tour will mark the end of their activities as a group.
Reflecting on the four years since their hiatus, ARASHI stated:
“It has been almost four and a half years since we went on hiatus, and we sincerely regret we were unable to perform for all of you during that last year of activities due to the Coronavirus pandemic. So, in order to finally express our deep gratitude directly to all our fans, the five of us have gathered together once again and have begun planning a concert tour as ARASHI to be held next spring.”
They added,
“And upon conclusion of this tour, we will end our activities as ARASHI.”
They continued:
“For about a year and a half now, the five of us have regularly gotten together to discuss the idea of working as ARASHI again. However, it was not easy to find an answer to how to do this, as the environment surrounding us has changed, in addition to each of our individually changed circumstances compared to before.
Such being the case, after much time and repeated conversations, we came to the conclusion that we should all come together as ARASHI, hold a concert that would allow us to express our thanks directly with the kind of in-person performance our Corona concert did not allow for, and then end our activities as a group. We could not imagine resuming our activities only to go on a hiatus yet again.”
At the end, they stated:
“Once again, we would like to thank all the fans who have continued to support us, and have come together as the five of us in order to bring you something very special. Please look forward to everything we have planned.”
For fans who have followed ARASHI through so many seasons of life, this announcement feels both deeply emotional and incredibly meaningful. To know that the five of them have been quietly meeting for the past year and a half—discussing, reflecting, and ultimately choosing to return just to say thank you—means more than words can express.
They didn’t owe us anything. And yet, they chose to come back together, not for a comeback, but for closure—for one last heartfelt performance filled with gratitude. It’s a decision full of love, sincerity, and the kind of respect they’ve always shown their fans.
Many fans never got the opportunity to see ARASHI live during their final year before hiatus due to the pandemic. This tour gives everyone—both ARASHI and their fans—the chance to stand face-to-face again, to share a space filled with music, memories, and mutual appreciation. It makes this ‘farewell‘ so much more than an ending. It’s a celebration of everything they’ve built, and everything we’ve shared.
ARASHI has been a constant throughout so many people’s lives—for 5, 10, even 25 years. This concert will be one last memory to hold onto. It’s a final chapter we can all write together—a celebration, not just an ending. A ‘see you later.’
Knowing it’s the last time is painful—but also beautiful. There’s no guessing, no hoping for more. Just a clear, intentional farewell, wrapped in care. It’s a chance for fans to cheer, cry, sing, and thank ARASHI back, one final time.
No matter what form the future takes, ARASHI’s music, their laughter, and their legacy will always stay with us. We’ll be cheering them on, just like always—this time, with even deeper gratitude in our hearts.
ARASHI is an idol group consisting of Masaki Aiba, Jun Matsumoto, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno, and Sho Sakurai. The group debuted in 1999 with the single “A・RA・SHI.” In 2009, they performed for the first time in the 60th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and dominated the 42nd Oricon Yearly Ranking 2009 by ranking #1 in singles, albums, DVDs, and overall artist sales—becoming the first to achieve such a four-category sweep. Each member has also led successful solo careers in film and television. In January 2019, they announced they would go on hiatus as of December 31, 2020.