On May 29, it was announced that the comedy unit “Ojisans 8” will hold a 全国ツアー (zenkoku tsuā)—a nationwide tour—bringing four veteran manzai duos to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kumamoto in 2026.
The tour is officially titled 「オジサンズ8全国ツアー～今年もあなたの街に逢いに行きます～」 “Ojisans 8 Nationwide Tour – We’re Coming to See You in Your Town Again This Year.”
What Is “Ojisans 8”?
“Ojisans 8” is a variety project streamed on FANY Channel. It features four comedy duos:
- ガクテンソク (Gakutensoku)
- ザ・パンチ (The Punch)
- マシンガンズ (Machine Guns)
- 金属バット (Kinzoku Bat)
All four pairs are experienced 漫才師 (manzaishi, stand-up comedy duos) with more than 16 years in the industry. They gained attention through the comedy competition 「THE SECOND」, a prize contest specifically for veteran comedians.
The show is described as an “ojisan geinin variety”—a relaxed, playful program where these middle-aged comedians have fun without pushing themselves too hard or getting injured. Its second season began in May this year.
Now, it has been decided that they will take the show on tour:
全国ツアーの開催が決定しました。 Zenkoku tsuā no kaisai ga kettei shimashita. “It has been decided that a nationwide tour will be held.”
This phrase, 〜ことになりました (koto ni narimashita), is a common way to announce official decisions in Japanese. We’ll break it down later.
Tour Dates and Locations
The tour will visit three cities:
- Tokyo – July 1, 2026 (Sogetsu Hall)
- Osaka – September 14, 2026 (COOL JAPAN PARK OSAKA TT Hall)
- Kumamoto – November 7, 2026 (Kumamoto-jo Hall Civic Hall)
In addition to each duo’s regular comedy routines (ネタ, neta), there will also be special project segments created from the TV show.
Ticket Information
- Advance ticket: 4,000 yen
- Same-day ticket: 4,500 yen
- 先行販売 (senkō hanbai, advance sales) available via FANY Ticket from May 29 (11:00) to May 31 (11:00)
- General sales begin June 6 at 10:00
In Japan, advance sales are extremely common for concerts and comedy events, and popular shows can sell out quickly during this period.
The Comedians’ Comments
Each member shared a short message for fans.
Gakutensoku’s Okuda said:
今年も全国の皆さまに逢いにいけることになりました！ Kotoshi mo zenkoku no minasama ni ai ni ikeru koto ni narimashita! “It’s been decided that we can go meet everyone across the country again this year!”
He humorously promised the audience the “best Ojisans,” and promised the Ojisans themselves the “best 打ち上げ (uchiage, after-party).”
Meanwhile, Gakutensoku’s Yojō joked:
おじさんたちが元気なうちに見に来てください！ Ojisan-tachi ga genki na uchi ni mi ni kite kudasai! “Please come see us while us middle-aged guys are still energetic!”
The grammar 〜うちに (uchi ni) means “while (a certain condition lasts).” In this case, “while we’re still healthy and lively.”
Machine Guns’ Takizawa enthusiastically said:
8種類のおじさん揃っております。イキがいいので、堪能してください！ Hachishurui no ojisan sorotte orimasu. Iki ga ii node, tannō shite kudasai! “We’ve got eight types of ojisan all lined up. We’re fresh and lively, so please fully enjoy us!”
The verb 堪能する (tannō suru) means to savor or fully enjoy something—often used for food, performances, or experiences.
Kinzoku Bat’s Kobayashi kept it simple:
おじゃまします。 Ojama shimasu. “We’ll be dropping in.”
This expression literally means “Sorry to intrude,” but it’s commonly used when visiting someone’s home—or in this case, visiting a city on tour.
One particularly playful comment included the slang 草w (kusa), which is internet shorthand for laughter (similar to “LOL”). It comes from 笑い (warai, laughter), and the letter “w” looks like grass (草), hence the nickname.
Cultural Context: Veteran Comedy in Japan
Japanese comedy places strong emphasis on career longevity. Many comedians work for decades, slowly building their reputation through live performances and TV appearances.
「THE SECOND」 is especially meaningful because it focuses on duos who debuted at least 16 years ago—comedians who may not have won major prizes early in their careers but continue refining their craft.
“Ojisans 8” celebrates that stage of life. The word おじさん (ojisan) means “middle-aged man,” but here it’s used affectionately. Rather than hiding their age, these performers lean into it, joking about stamina, after-parties, and their long careers.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Let’s review key vocabulary and grammar you can start using right away.
Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 全国ツアー | zenkoku tsuā | nationwide tour |
| 開催 | kaisai | to hold (an event) |
| 先行販売 | senkō hanbai | advance sale (pre-sale) |
| 打ち上げ | uchiage | after-party, celebration party |
| 堪能する | tannō suru | to fully enjoy, savor |
| お邪魔します | ojama shimasu | I’ll be visiting / Sorry to intrude |
| 草w | kusa (warai) | LOL (internet slang) |
Grammar Spotlight 1: 〜ことになりました
Pattern: Verb (dictionary or potential form) + ことになりました
Meaning: “It has been decided that…” (formal announcement of a decision)
Example from the article:
- 全国ツアーを開催することになりました。 Zenkoku tsuā o kaisai suru koto ni narimashita. “It has been decided that we will hold a nationwide tour.”
Another example:
- 来月、日本へ行くことになりました。 Raigetsu, Nihon e iku koto ni narimashita. “It’s been decided that I will go to Japan next month.”
This structure is very common in news and official statements.
Grammar Spotlight 2: 〜うちに
Pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + うちに い-adjective + うちに な-adjective + な + うちに
Meaning: “While (a certain state or condition lasts)”
Example from the article:
- 元気なうちに見に来てください。 Genki na uchi ni mi ni kite kudasai. “Come see us while we’re still energetic.”
More examples:
- 若いうちに海外へ行きたいです。 Wakai uchi ni kaigai e ikitai desu. “I want to go abroad while I’m still young.”
- 雨が降らないうちに帰りましょう。 Ame ga furanai uchi ni kaerimashō. “Let’s go home before it starts raining.”
Useful Expression: 堪能してください
- 日本料理を堪能してください。 Nihon ryōri o tannō shite kudasai. “Please fully enjoy Japanese cuisine.”
This phrase is perfect when recommending food, travel, or performances.
Continue Learning
Want to better understand how Japanese handles event dates and time expressions like those used in tour announcements?
- Time and Dates: Tense-Free Expressions: Want to learn more about 時間? Check out our lesson on Time and Dates: Tense-Free Expressions.
Comedy in Japan isn’t just about punchlines—it’s about history, relationships, and growing older together with the audience. “Ojisans 8” brings that warmth (and self-deprecating humor) to cities across the country.
If you ever see a poster for オジサンズ8, now you’ll understand not just the jokes—but the language behind them.
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.