| Hills Pan Kōjō | |
| Nickname: | Pan Kōjō |
| Native Name: | hills パン工場 |
| Native Name Lang: | ja |
| Address: | 1-chōme-3-17 Kitahorie, Nishi Ward |
| Location: | Osaka, Japan |
| Built: | 2000 |
| Opened: | 20 March 2003 |
| Renovated: | 2019 |
| Owner: | Giza Studio |
| Main Contractors: | Saida Sai (2003-2023) Kawaguchi (2024-) |
| Seating Capacity: | 300 (100 for seats, 200 standee) |
The, often shortened to simply Pan Kōjō, is an indoor arena located in Kitahorie, Osaka, Japan. It is being operated by Giza Studio, the only major record company and label in Kansai region.
It was originally built for solely being a bakery cafe, one year after its establishment in 2003, it changed its main purpose of being live venue for the Kansai artist.
A number of famous pop and rock acts from the same music company have played at the Pan Kōjō, including Zard, B'z, Mai Kuraki, Garnet Crow and Sard Underground.[1]
The Hills Pan Kōjō is located in Kitanomaru Park in the Osaka, three minutes' walking distance from Shinsaibashi subway Station, and soon after the leaving exit No.6 on the Yotsubashi Subway Station. The building is structured of 1 floor-entrance which leads directly to the downstairs. It has also 2 underfloors-B1 and B2. The B2 floor structure holds 300 people (floor seats: 100, standee: 200).[2]
In 2001, was held the world's first internet live-performance stream of the concert titled GIZA studio R&B PARTY at the Hills Pankojo Kitahorie vol.1. It was streamed by NTT communications.[3] Only female vocalist took part of the session, including Mai Kuraki, Aiuchi Rina, Yuri Nakamura from Garnet Crow, Akiko Matsuda and Mami Miyoshi from Rumania Montevideo and Ami Matsunaga from The Tambourines.[4] One year later in 2002, the full-length live footage has been released on DVD with the same title.
On the open day 20 March 2003, they've launched series of the weekly live event "Thursday Live". On the open day, the rock-band Wag making the main appearance and Inaba Koshi from B'z make a special guest appearance. By next year in 2004, artist outside the music agency made stage appearance included Daigo Stardust and Fayray.
All the concerts held at Pankojo were streamed at the "Flets Square" (operated by NTT) from July 17, 2003, in the western area of Japan and from May 2005 in the East Japan area until March 29, 2007.[5] [6] [7]
In 2009, the live session series title changed to Saturday Live and since the held irregularly.
In 2013, the bakery cafe has been closed, the announcement was made through the Twitter status.[8]
The record for the most Pan Kojo music concerts is held by Shiori Takei, following Yumi Shizukusa and Utoku Keiko[9]
Artists that have made stage appearance from the venue include:
Notes:
| Release date | Title | Rank | CD code | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002/2/14 | GIZA studio R&B PARTY at the Hills Pan Kōjō Kitahorie Vol.1 | 3[16] | BMBD-7005 | DVD |
| 2002/12/22 | CCP presents hills Pan Kōjō cafe vol.1 | - [17] | TCR-12 | CD |
| 2003/10/16 | Rock Me Baby Kondo Fusanosuke LIVE hills Pan Kōjō 2004 (Kondo Fusanosuke) | - [18] | ONBD-7035 | DVD |
| 2004/4/14 | CCP presents hills Pan Kōjō cafe vol.2 | - [19] | TCR-12 | CD |
| 2005/4/14 | Fukkatsu! F.S.B NIGHT LIVE at hills Pan Kōjō (Feel So Bad) | - [20] | ONBD-7059 | DVD |
| 2006/8/30 | Kitto mou Koi ni wa Naranai (Shiori Takei) | - [21] | ONBD-7059 | CD (Track No.3) |