The glittering vastness of Tokyo promises entertainment at every turn. Japan is home to the second-largest music market in the world, tailing only the US in numbers. Fan culture is alive, well, and organized; physical media remains an enormous revenue generator, and the faces of pop stars pepper subway stations and advertisements throughout the city. While the enormity of the industry means there’s room for many different kinds of acts to find their following, it can also mean that it’s that much harder to rise to the top. Travis Japan, the J-pop group developed by Starto Entertainment and represented by Capitol Records, are up for the challenge.
Travis Japan is composed of seven members (Chaka, Umi, Shime, Shizu, Genta, Machu, and Noel, the last of whom is currently taking a rest from group activities). The members are all extremely dedicated to packing their schedules with individual efforts to help raise the band’s collective profile, including modeling gigs, acting opportunities, and fashion endeavors. Genta lent his voice to the new Disney film Mufasa, taking on the role of Scar for the Japanese release. Umi, stylish and cool, has a notable presence in the fashion world. Chaka, who also acts as the group leader, has an extensive television resumé, but all the members have expanded their skill sets in the realm of TV and variety shows.
Backstage, a few hours prior to the show at Yokohama Arena (their sixth and final show in this city run), the members are most eager to discuss their work as a team, which they seem to regard as a landing place of sorts within the enormous orbit of individual schedules. Shime compares himself to Doraemon, a fictional character from a Japanese manga of the same name who has the ability to conjure whatever someone around him might be seeking in the moment. “I’m here to help the needs of the group,” he confirms.
His bandmate eagerly introduces himself as “Machu, like Machu Picchu,” and his bright, contagious energy only increases tenfold once the group takes the stage that evening.
And while Travis Japan’s domestic popularity is clear, the members have made no secret of their aspirations to develop a global presence. Early in their story, the group trained in Los Angeles to hone their performance skills (their name is a nod to esteemed choreographer Travis Payne, who was instrumental to the band’s early development). Shortly after their debut, they briefly competed on America’s Got Talent. They returned to tour the US in the fall of 2024 and sold out every stop.
Travis Japan, photo courtesy of Starto Entertainment
There are noticeable differences between performing abroad and in their home country, they confirm; but rather than shift the details of their show depending on their audience, they instead feel inspired to re-ground in what makes them special. “Our performance is the same, whether it’s in Japan or overseas,” Machu explains. “And our fans are our fans.” With that being said, they were especially delighted to see American fans “moving to the music” during their 2024 visit.