Japanese artists fall in love with Malaysia’s food and fans

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysia has become a sought-after destination for international music artists, and Japanese acts are high on that list.

Following their performances at the Cos-Mic 2025 event last month, several Japanese artists shared their heartfelt and sometimes surprising impressions of Malaysia in an interview with Malay Mail, praising everything from the food to the fans.

HAG: A welcoming crowd

For the duo HAG, known for channelling themes of teenage angst, it was their Malaysian debut.

Vocalist Chiho was touched by the warm reception, noting even though many in the audience may not have been familiar with HAG, Malaysians were “very welcoming and showed passion” for their music.

Her bandmate, guitarist Yuta, observed the unique energy of the local crowd, saying, “The concert was really fun… I noticed that the Malaysian audience expressed their excitement differently — for example, many would raise their hands while enjoying the music.”

Kumano BearTrice: Surprising discoveries

Rising Vtuber star Kumano BearTrice also made her first visit to the country.

She was particularly surprised to discover an ice skating rink inside Sunway Pyramid mall, calling it a “one-of-a-kind experience” that she doesn’t think exists in Japan.

She also relayed feedback from her own fans who had travelled for the show, saying they frequently mentioned how warm and hospitable Malaysians were.

Japanese pop-rock duo nano.RIPE, consisting of vocalist Kimiko and guitarist Jun Sasaki, pose for a photo. — Picture via Instagram/nano.ripe

Nano.RIPE: Food, fans, and future plans

The popular pop-rock duo nano.RIPE, famous for their anime theme songs, were pleasantly surprised by their Malaysian fanbase.

Vocalist Kimiko didn’t expect so many people to know their music but was delighted to see fans recognising their songs and dancing along.

She also fell in love with the local food. “The Malaysian food here really suits my taste,” she said, joking that it might be a reason many Japanese consider moving here.

Meanwhile, guitarist Jun Sasaki, an Adidas fan, was disappointed that the store at Sunway Pyramid was under renovation but set a future goal: “I’d really like to visit and perform at Bukit Bintang one day.”

Mekakushe, known for her performance of Koi no Retronym. — Picture via Instagram/mekakushe

Mekakushe: A passion for prawns

For Mekakushe, known for the hit anime ending theme Koi no Retronym, the visit was memorable for both the culture and the cuisine.

She was impressed by the local anime scene, sharing, “I didn’t expect anime to be this widely appreciated here.”

Her biggest delight, however, was discovering prawns in so many local dishes, which perfectly matched her quirky personal passion for the crustacean.

“I really love prawns — whether they’re alive or on my plate!” she exclaimed.

Nowlu shared her hopes of visiting Malaysia again — this time to perform at Zepp Kuala Lumpur. — Picture via Instagram/nowlu_official

Nowlu: A taste of local favourites

A return visitor to Malaysia, Nowlu, known for her single Stuck on You, tried some local fan recommendations this time around.

She gave Malaysian KFC a try and was not disappointed.

“I heard it was different from Japan’s, and they were right — the chicken here is bigger, and I really enjoyed it!” she shared.

She also tried the popular tea drink Chagee and “absolutely loved it.”

Her next performance goal in Malaysia? To play at Zepp Kuala Lumpur.

A lasting connection

These artists have undoubtedly experienced Malaysia in ways that might surprise even their fans, and they’re eager to carry that experience forward as they explore more of Southeast Asia — Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore all firmly on their radar.

As their music crosses borders, one thing becomes clear: the cultural connection between Japan and Malaysia is no fleeting trend.

It’s a vibrant harmony that continues to deepen and grow stronger with each passing day.