Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Office are pleased to welcome you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located on the Arabian Peninsula.
Jeddah, Makkah Province
Saudi Arabia means “Arabia of the House of Saud” and it is said the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was laid in 1744 when Muhammad ibn Saud, considered the progenitor of the House of Saud, formed an alliance with the religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab.
After that, Abdulaziz, a descendant of the same family, reclaimed it and became the first king in 1932, marking the beginning of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al Murabba Historical Palace, Riyadh Province
Global focus on Saudi Vision 2030 and Riyadh Expo 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 is an economic reform initiative announced by Saudi Arabia in 2016. It outlines a unique growth vision spanning broad sectors including the economy, daily life, health and welfare, the environment and entertainment, with specific targets set for each area.
Remarkable achievements are already evident, including improvements in the happiness index, increased tourist numbers and enhanced employment conditions, which have significantly transformed the environment domestically. Alongside Saudi Vision 2030, another key topic is the Riyadh Expo scheduled for 2030.
Riyadh Expo 2030
The capital city of Riyadh was selected as the host city for the 2030 World Expo, recognized for its rich culture, economy and contributions to sustainable growth goals. Please enjoy our journey through an evolving Saudi Arabia accompanied by the country’s music.
| Saudi Arabia Travel Guide
• Explore present-day Saudi Arabia as it evolves through Saudi Vision 2030 • Take a leisurely stroll through King Salman Park, the world’s largest urban park • Discover the diverse regions where Saudi culture and nature beautifully intertwine • Experience the works of thriving female artists |
Cutting-edge technology and lush greenery coexist in Saudi Arabia’s capital
The capital of Riyadh is a modern city where advanced technology converges. Designed by more than 25 global architectural firms, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) has an overwhelming presence as a business center equipped with advanced digital infrastructure.
King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh Province
Meanwhile, Saudi Vision 2030 also promotes initiatives in the green sector, with King Salman Park, the world’s largest urban park, scheduled to open in early 2026. The vast green space will feature a number of areas founded in biodiversity and will function as an urban oasis.
King Salman Park & Royal Arts Complex (rendering), Riyadh Province
The park will also feature a national theater, art museum and art academy, and is expected to serve as a cultural hub for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.
Diverse regions where Saudi Arabia’s culture and nature intertwine
Saudi Arabia is composed of 13 provinces, each distinguished by its own unique character and landscape. In the northwest, Al-Haql in Tabuk Province offers tranquil views of the Red Sea, while Abha in Asir Province greets travelers with refreshing highland scenery.
Al-Haql, Tabuk Province (left) Abha, Asir Province (right)
In Makkah Province, the nation’s second-largest city, Jeddah, invites visitors into its UNESCO-listed historic district, where the heritage and traditional culture of this port city are vividly preserved. Further northwest, the desert region of AlUla is home to Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al-Hijr, where ancient inscriptions and monumental tombs recount stories carved into the sandstone over millennia.
AlUla (Al-Hijr), Medina Province
The greenery of the Al-Baha highlands and the flourishing oasis agriculture of Al-Qassim Province reveal yet another dimension of daily life, where nature and culture blend seamlessly.
Al-Baha Province (left) Al-Qassim Province (right)
A journey across Saudi Arabia’s diverse provinces offers a profound encounter with the country’s cultural depth and natural variety—an experience sure to leave a lasting impression.
Jeddah, Makkah Province
| The bond between Saudi Arabia and Japan
The year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Interest in Japan is growing year by year in Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by the fifth Riyadh Japan Festival held in 2025. Japanese anime and “tokusatsu” (special effects films) are popular in the country, with the 1977 series Dinosaur War Izenborg remaining a beloved work among the public to this day. In 2017, driven by strong local demand and cooperation, a documentary program on Dinosaur War Izenborg was broadcast exclusively in the Middle East as part of Vision 2030. |
Female artists leading this era
One key theme emphasized in Saudi Vision 2030 is women’s advancement in society. Recognizing that women constitute over 50% of university graduates, the country is actively promoting equal opportunities and capacity development for women, with tangible results from these transformative efforts steadily emerging.
Against this backdrop, female artists with significant social influence continue to emerge across different spectrums of art, including the individuals below.
COSMICAT (DJ and Music Producer)
COSMICAT x HYPER – KHAREETA (FREEDOM MUSIC)
Manal Al Dowayan (Contemporary artist)
A female contemporary artist who skillfully works across diverse media including photography, sculpture and sound. She continues to create diverse artworks, including the “I Am” series of portrait photographs capturing working women.
“Now You See Me, Now You Don’t”
Nouf Alhimiary (An artist and researcher exploring gender and cultural identity)
“The Desire to Not Exist”
Saudi Arabia’s musical culture
As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, the lifting of the ban on concerts within the country in 2017 brought dramatic changes to its music culture. A symbolic embodiment of this culture is the Saudi National Orchestra, established in 2019.
The following video (source: Oricon official channel) features scenes from the concert held in Tokyo.
The unique composition, blending orchestral instruments with traditional Arab instruments, gained acclaim worldwide and was successfully performed at a groundbreaking performance in Tokyo in 2024.
Further, since 2019, Riyadh has hosted the Middle East’s largest music festival, MDLBEAST Soundstorm, an annual event gathering renowned artists from around the world. Scheduled for December 11–13, 2025, it has already announced the participation of numerous Grammy Award-winning artists.
MDLBEAST Soundstorm
In closing, please enjoy some performances by musicians recommended by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Office below.
1. Watani Alhabeeb – Talal Maddah
2. Ya Biladi Wasili – Abu Bakr Salem
3. Foug Haam Alsuhub – Mohammed Abdu
What did you think of your music journey to Saudi Arabia? If you’re interested, we look forward to seeing you at Riyadh Expo!
There are still many more places to go! Please look forward to our next destination.
AlUla, Medina Province
Cooperation and photos provided by: Visit Saudi, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Cultural Office
Min-On Concert Association
–Music Binds Our Hearts–