ESS Japan are a staging company based in Tokyo, Japan. We specialise in the design, management, transportation, installation and dismantling of relocatable structures for the event industry. For over ten years we have been providing high quality staging and event equipment to a growing range of clients.
Working with the music, corporate and sporting industries we have developed flexible and adaptable methods. This allows us to work at a fast pace while keeping to a high standard of quality and maintaining a safe environment for everyone involved. Our creative and dedicated staff will ensure that your needs are met on time and on budget.
With offices in London, Sydney and Tokyo, the ESS Group has a client list that includes world-famous musical artists, film and television companies, multinational communication and exhibition companies, international building contractors and government agencies. As part of one of the major forces in the design and installation of staging and modular bespoke structures worldwide, we have strong links that allow us to draw on extensive resources.
Feel free to browse the information on our website and then contact us to see how we can help you in the development and production of your next event.
We have clients in various different industries in the entertainment and corporate worlds. Some of our gigs and clients include:
1998
Globe Stadium Tour
Michael Jackson HIStory Tour
Mariah Carey Butterfly Tour
1999
Jamiroquai Synkronized Tour
Fuji Rock Festival 1999 - 2008
2000
Mariah Carey Rainbow Tour
Lance Burton - Master Magician Japan Tour
Steely Dan 2 Against Nature Tour
2001
X-Trail Jam - Snowboard World Comp in Tokyo Dome 2001- 2005
Backstreet Boys Black and Blue Tour
Peugeot 307 Press Conference
Christina Aguilera Japan Promotional Tour
2002
Summer Sonic 2002 - 2008
Kansai Yamamoto Super Genki Grand Prix
Janet Jackson All For You Tour
Aerosmith accompanied with FIFA World Cup 2002
Lauryn Hill accompanied with FIFA World Cup 2002
Paul McCartney Back In The U.S. Tour
WWE Japan Tours (several years)
Janet Jackson All For You Tour
Virginia Slims - Philip Morris opening night
AC/DC Stiff Upper Lip Tour
MTV Japan - The Super Dry Live 2002 - 2005
Bloomberg [BOB]
Sheryl Crow Japan Tour
2003
t.A.T.u. Japan Tour
Parliament - June
Camp in Asagiri Jam Festival 2003 - 2008
Vodafone - Ageha Halloween Party
Riverdance: The Tenth Anniversary Tour
Luis Vuitton '03
Stomp Japan Tour
Joaquín Cortés Live!
Cartier Ginza 2 Opening Party
2004
Britney Spears Dream Within A Dream Tour
Mary J Blige Japan Tour
Earth, Wind and Fire Japan Tour
Stevie Wonder My Cherie Amour Japan Tour '04
2005
Queen and Paul Rodgers World Tour
The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang World Tour
R.E.M On Tour
2006
Mariah Carey The Adventures of Mimi Tour '06
Madonna Confessions Tour
2007
Kansai Yamamoto 'Ship of The Sun'
Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium Japan Tour
AND 1 Japan Tour 2007 - 2008
Live Earth
2008
Celine Dion Taking Chances Tour
X-Japan Resurrection Tour
Jack Johnson Yokohama Live
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Premiere
Chanel Mobile Art
Yokohama Reggae Festival
Radiohead Japan Tour
Cheap Trick at Budokan Again!
In October Naeba played host to the 12th Fujii Rock Festival and once again ESS Japan was a major part of the event. For this year's installment of Japan’s largest rock festival ESS was given the task of providing three stages.
Two weeks before the crowds arrived, ESS and associates traveled from Tokyo and further afield to the Naeba mountain range and began construction. ESS brought out all three of its systems available in Japan: the Regular system for the Green Stage, the Lite system for the White Stage and the Orbit system for the Field of Heaven.
The three-day show featured international acts such as My Bloody Valentine, Kasabian, Underworld and Primal Scream and the 100,000-plus attendees reveled in the festival atmosphere, many choosing to camp out in the lush surroundings and summer heat.
As the last note was played, dismantling of the stages began and three days later ESS pulled out of Naeba, proud again to be a part of one of the world’s most important rock festivals.
For the 6th year in a row ESS Japan provided a stage to the Camp in Asagiri Jam festival in Asagiri, Shizuoka. ESS used its half-dome-shaped Orbit System to supply the Rainbow Stage for the weekend event. The stage featured a variety of acts such as Dachambo, the Cinematic Orchestra and The Skatalites.
Under the gaze of Mount Fuji, against the beautiful background of forests and mountaintops, the build took 3 days to complete, finishing the evening before the event. The characteristic multi-coloured decorations of the Rainbow Stage were provided by Designs in Air. As the day turned to night the decorations lit up, adorning the stage with multi-coloured stars.
We were lucky enough to have fine weather and be able to enjoy the fresh mountain air during the build and for most of the festival. However, when rain did begin to pour during the final performances and continued during the dismantling, the Orbit kept the performers and electrical equipment covered.
ESS also provided the Mojo barrier crowd control system for both the Rainbow Stage and the Moon Shine Stage to ensure the safety of the enthusiastic crowd over the two-day event.
Aside from the ESS systems, ESS-Japan can also provide you with the artifacts used on the stage. This can include drapes, risers, carpeting, screen supports or other decorative features. Whatever you need, our skilled team will shape the event area to look the way you want.
1238469107_REGgroundsp.pdf
1238469274_LTgoundsp.pdf
1238469704_Orbit.pdf
We can provide stages in a variety of shapes and sizes, designed to fit your needs. Our systems are easy to transport and assemble and will protect your performers and equipment from the weather. From deciding which of our three flexible systems to use to the successful construction of the stage, our project managers will work with you to maximise the effectiveness of our stages.
Regular
The largest Edwin Shirley Group stage available in Japan is used mainly to accommodate large international acts and outdoor rock festivals.
The stage is built from parts varying from 4m to hand size, allowing for unlimited diversity in design and size. It is famous for its rigging capacity, which can be varied according to production requirements. The stage can be built with or without the PA wings.
Standard size: 6 towers of height 18m / onstage width 24m /onstage depth 18m Accompanied by PA grid/tower both sides width 5m depth 3m
Acts
Globe Stadium Tour ‘98
Michael Jackson History Tour ‘98
Jamiroquai Synkronized Tour ‘99
Fuji Rock Festival ‘99 - ‘08
Mariah Carey Rainbow Tour ‘00
Backstreet Boys Black and Blue Tour ‘01
Janet Jackson All For You Tour ‘02
FIFA World Cup 2002
Summer Sonic ‘02 – ‘08
t.A.T.u. World Tour ‘03
Britney Spears Dream Within a Dream Tour ‘04
Queen and Paul Rodgers World Tour ‘05
Madonna Confessions Tour ‘06
Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium Japan Tour ‘07
Celine Dion Taking Chances Tour ‘08
Lite
The Lite System is a scaled down version of the Regular System, built from similar parts. It is a favourite for smaller gigs and secondary stages at festivals.
Standard size: Height 18m / onstage width 24m / onstage depth 18m
Acts
Fuji Rock Festival ‘01 – ‘08
Live Earth ‘07
Summer Sonic ‘07 - ‘08
Radiohead Japan Tour ‘08
Jack Johnson Yokohama Live ‘08
Yokohama Reggae Festival ‘08
Orbit
The Orbit System is a curved aluminium semi circular system which houses stage acts and corporate events. It can be erected to various spans and depths. The sheeted roof ensures complete protection from the weather as well as maximising the sound produced onstage. It is secure in wind conditions up to 52m/sec (116.3mph).
Standard size: Height 8m / onstage width 14m /onstage depth 16m
Acts
Fuji Rock Festival ‘01 - ‘08
Camp in Asagiri Jam Festival ‘03 - ‘08
Summer Sonic ‘07 - ‘08
ESS Japan is Japan's sole supplier of the market leading Mojo Crowd Control Barrier. Made from durable, strong and lightweight aluminium, the barrier will keep your audience safe and secure. Connected with a single bolt for each 1-metre section, they can be assembled quickly and easily. They are flat-packed in maneuverable 10-piece racks, meaning the barriers can be transported cost-effectively and hassle free.
The system consists of various types of barrier ensuring that the layout can be designed to fit needs of the event. The special sections make any angle shift possible and can provide through-points for cables, making it suitable for any venue or situation. Gated sections and hinged sections for dealing with uneven terrain also help to make the system extremely practical.
The system complies with all major safety standards and the designers are involved with ongoing research at the Centre for Crowd Management & Security Studies at Buckinghamshire New University. This attention to both design and safety is helping Mojo Barriers become the standard in crowd control and safety worldwide.