#Japan #Shibuya #Ayumi Uesaka #Yoshiki Ukai #KOTOVA Event

Special Podcast Recording Event

The exciting world of podcasts is coming to life at the KOTOVA Shibuya Center Street exhibition, where celebrated poet and writer Ayumi Uesaka will join monk Yoshiki Ukai for a unique public recording of their podcast titled "Don’t Live More Delicately Than Me." This special event will take place in a setting that resembles a convenience store for words, filled with various concise expressions like tanka, essays, and free verse haiku.

The KOTOVA exhibition features a collection of short literary works and runs until August 31, making it a perfect backdrop for the public recording. Ayumi Uesaka, one of the featured artists among the 46 contributors, has created an original item known as "Bubble Cigarettes" and contributed tanka poetry to the exhibit. The event is not just an opportunity to hear these two brilliant voices in conversation, but also a chance to explore this temporary word-convenience store, filled with creativity and inspiration.

Event Details

The public recording will take place on August 27, 2026, starting with a gathering at 17:45, and the event will kick off at 18:00, running until approximately 19:30. Tickets will go on sale on August 15, 2026 at 18:00, and are limited to the first 40 purchasers. Tickets can be purchased via eplus.jp. Furthermore, fans unable to attend in person can still catch the live proceedings through the podcast’s official Instagram and YouTube channels.

Ticket Information

• - Price: ¥2,800 (including entry fee to the exhibition)
• - Capacity: 40 people (first-come, first-served)
• - Purchase Site: E-plus Ticketing

About the Hosts

Ayumi Uesaka (born 1991) is a renowned poet and writer, who debuted with her tanka collection, "I Want to Be Popular Enough to Die in a Nursing Home" in 2022. Her repertoire also includes essays such as "Don’t Read Earth as ‘Star’" and other notable works.

Yoshiki Ukai (born 1986) is a monk at the Gokuraku Temple in Kyoto and a writer. With experience as a bookstore concierge, he is engaged in various creative endeavors, including DJing and music activities, along with leading open temple projects.

Podcast Overview

"Don’t Live More Delicately Than Me" features casual discussions between Ayumi Uesaka and Yoshiki Ukai about life's quirks, from the curse of existence to favorite diner meals. This podcast has gained recognition, being selected as one of Spotify's spotlight next-generation podcasters for 2025. It’s available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcast, accompanied by the hashtag #よりすな.

About the KOTOVA Shibuya Center Street Exhibition

Running until August 31, this exhibition showcases a rich variety of short literary expressions, from personal affirmations to thoughts that went unsaid, all inspired by the concept of a convenience store. Attendees are encouraged to find their own precious words among the tapestry of creations by diligent writers, musicians, and comedians.

Exhibition Details

• - Location: My Lab Shibuya, Tokyo
• - Exhibition Duration: Until August 31, 2026
• - Hours: Weekdays 13:00 - 19:30; Weekends 11:00 - 19:30
• - Admission Fees: Regular Ticket ¥1,200; Ticket with Bubble Cigarettes Voucher ¥2,900

Don’t miss this chance to experience the dynamic interplay of words and creativity at the KOTOVA Shibuya Center Street exhibition, culminating in the captivating conversations of Uesaka and Ukai!