Award-winning Filipino band The Itchyworms its set to return to Japan for another run of their critically acclaimed Akin Ka Na Lang… Japan! Tour in early 2025.

Following the success of its 2023 tour, the band will perform three shows from 17 to 19 January, 2025, on iconic venues across Tokyo, including Mr. Back in Saitama, Heaven’s Door in Sangenjaya and Gamuso in Asagaya.

“We’ve been fortunate to build a loyal fanbase in Japan over the years,” says Jugs Jugueta, lead vocalist of The Itchyworms. “It’s truly humbling to see fans traveling hours from all over Japan just to watch us perform. What makes the Japanese audience so special is their deep appreciation not only for our hits but also for the more obscure tracks. To them, it’s all good music.”

The Itchyworms, known for their blend of rock, pop and humor, have long cultivated an international following. For this upcoming tour, the band promises a fresh setlist that includes more English-language songs from their early catalog, along with some unexpected surprises. “We used to have a lot of songs in English when we were starting out, and we also experimented with odd time signatures. We’re bringing some of those songs back for this tour, and I’m excited to see how the Japanese audience responds to this experiment,” says Jugueta.

Drummer and co-lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas also shares his admiration for the Japanese fans, noting that despite language barriers, music remains a universal connector. “Even if the audience doesn’t understand every word, the connection is still there,” he says. “It’s the music that binds us.”

Nicolas also reflects on a memorable moment from a previous Japan tour. “One time, I decided to surprise my bandmates by crawling on the floor and making weird noises behind a wall, just to startle them. To my surprise, it wasn’t my bandmates who walked in — it was the venue owner. He just smiled and said, ‘Aha! Crawling on the ground. Itchyworms.’ That moment has stayed with me ever since.”

Next year, The Itchyworms are set to expand their reach even further with more venues abroad. In addition to their Japanese dates, the band is planning tours in Europe, with a special focus on the UK, and new dates in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

With a career spanning over two decades, The Itchyworms continue to resonate with fans around the world, cementing their place as one of the Philippines’ most beloved musical exports.