【2024】Beginners Welcome! Explaining everything from purchasing tickets for summer festivals like Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic to what to wear.

With the arrival of summer, the season of music festivals, or "summer fests," filled with heat and excitement is upon us. We are looking forward to Japan's representative summer fests such as Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic. However, there are many anxieties for those who are participating in a fest for the first time. In this article, we will explain in detail everything from obtaining tickets to access methods. We will deliver all the know-how you need to enjoy participating in a fest, even if you are a beginner.

※The information featured in this article is as of May 2024. Please check the official website or other sources for the latest event information in advance.
※If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.  

What is a Japanese Summer Festival? What's the difference between urban and outdoor types?

What is a Music Festival (Summer Fest)?

Music festivals are large-scale events where many people gather and multiple artists and bands perform live. They are often held during the summer vacation season from late July to August, hence summer music festivals are commonly referred to as "summer fests". Typically, multiple stages are set up, and multiple acts are performed simultaneously. As the name suggests, music festivals are places to enjoy music at its core, and the ability to enjoy various genres of music is a distinctive feature.

At the festival venue, various forms of entertainment are provided in addition to music. There are various ways to enjoy the festival, such as eating and drinking at food stalls, viewing art and craft exhibitions, and purchasing merchandise. In recent years, there are festivals that have areas and activities for families, allowing parents and children to enjoy together. 

What's the difference between urban and outdoor types? 

Music festivals can be broadly divided into two types: "Outdoor Festivals" and "Urban Festivals". Outdoor festivals are often held in places rich in nature, and many attendees also enjoy camping and outdoor activities. On the other hand, urban festivals are held in parks and venues in urban areas, and in addition to enjoying live performances by artists, there are also benefits of being able to enjoy local sightseeing and gourmet food.

What are the four major music festivals in Japan, including Fuji Rock?  

Summer music festivals in Japan are known as places where many music fans gather to enjoy music of various genres. This time, we will introduce the four major music festivals: "Fuji Rock Festival", "Summer Sonic", "Rock in Japan Festival", and "Rising Sun Rock Festival"! 

FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 

The Fuji Rock Festival is held at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, surrounded by nature, allowing participants to enjoy music in a beautiful natural environment. The festival mainly features rock music, but with artists from various genres such as J-POP and HIP HOP performing, it's a charm that anyone who loves music can enjoy.

A camping area is set up within the festival venue, and participants can stay overnight in tents. There are also women-only zones, toilets, shower facilities, consultation centers for camping, and dining options. Various activities and food booths are set up day and night, allowing you to enjoy entertainment other than music.

Furthermore, at Fuji Rock, an official tour is available, so even festival beginners can participate with peace of mind. Support is provided for transportation to the venue, accommodation arrangements, and guidance within the venue to enjoy the festival more.

Overview of FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2024

• Date: July 26th (Fri), 27th (Sat), 28th (Sun), 2024
• Venue: Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture
• Address: 949-6292 Mikuni, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture
• Access:
• Train: Get off at JR East "Echigo-Yuzawa Station" → Shuttle bus operation between Echigo-Yuzawa Station and the venue
• Car: Kanetsu Expressway "Tsukiyo no IC" → National Route 17 for 33km, or Kanetsu Expressway "Yuzawa IC" → National Route 17 for 21km 
• Official Tour: https://www.fujirockfestival.com/access/tour 
• How to purchase tickets: There are one-day tickets and three-day passes, and the prices range from ¥25,500 to ¥60,000 (general sale). If you plan to use the campsite, you must also purchase a campsite ticket.

You can purchase from the following site. 

👉 Recommended Accommodation for FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2024

👉 Recommended Experiences, Activities, and Sightseeing Information in Niigata 

SUMMER SONIC

Summer Sonic is held simultaneously in Tokyo and Osaka. With good access from the city center, you can reach each venue within an hour, making it a very accessible festival for people living in urban areas. You can enjoy various music genres centered on rock. In recent years, the number of Asian artists, including K-POP, has increased, making it a festival with a rich international flavor.

One of the attractions of Summer Sonic is the existence of the beach stage. At the Tokyo venue, you can enjoy music on a stage facing the sea, and you can experience the openness unique to a summer music festival. Let's have a fun time feeling the music and the sea breeze! 

Overview of SUMMER SONIC 2024

• Date: August 17th (Sat) 18th (Sun), 2024 *The all-night fest "SONICMANIA" will be held at the Tokyo venue on August 16th.
• Tokyo Venue:  
• Venue: ZOZO Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe
• Address: 1 Mihama, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, 261-0022
• Access: 7-minute walk from "Kaihin Makuhari" station to Makuhari Messe / 15-minute walk to ZOZO Marine Stadium 
• Osaka Venue:
• Venue: Expo Commemoration Park・Sun Plaza
• Address: 10-13 Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, 565-0826
• Access: 6-minute walk from "Expo Commemoration Park" station 
• How to purchase tickets: There are three types of tickets: 1DAY, 2DAY, and Platinum tickets. The prices vary depending on the venue in Tokyo and Osaka.
  

You can purchase from the following sites. 

eplus: https://ib.eplus.jp/summersonic2024

L-tike: https://l-tike.com/order/?gLcode=77777

👉Recommended accommodation for TOKYO SUMMER SONIC 2024

👉Recommended activities, games, and sightseeing information in Tokyo

👉Recommended activities, games, and sightseeing information in Osaka 

ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL

ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL is a place where you can enjoy a wide range of music genres, including rock, HIP HOP, and idol groups. The biggest feature is that only Japanese artists perform, making it a great opportunity to appreciate the diversity and originality of the Japanese music scene. There are also plenty of chances to discover the charm of local artists. 

Inside the venue, there are event booths where you can buy food and goods, allowing you to get delicious meals, souvenirs, and memorable goods.

In 2024, ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL will celebrate its 25th anniversary, and it will be held over a total of 10 days at two locations, and it is expected to be even more exciting than usual. A variety of programs and special events will be prepared to captivate the participants.

Overview of ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2024

• Date:
• Chiba Soga Sports Park: August 3rd (Sat), 4th (Sun) / 10th (Sat), 11th (Sun & Holiday), 12th (Mon & Substitute Holiday), 2024
• National Hitachi Seaside Park: September 14th (Sat), 15th (Sun) / 21st (Sat), 22nd (Sun & Holiday), 23rd (Mon & Substitute Holiday), 2024
• Chiba Venue:
• Venue: Chiba Soga Sports Park
• Address: 1-20 Kawasaki-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, 260-0835
• Access: 8 minutes walk from the west exit of JR "Soga" station, or travel by shuttle bus from JR "Chiba" station, JR "Chiba Minato" station, or Keisei Line "Chibadera" station
• Ibaraki Venue:
• Venue: National Hitachi Seaside Park
• Address: 605-4 Umamawari, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-0012
• Access: About 15 minutes from JR "Katsuta" station East Exit No. 2 to Seaside Park West Exit
• How to purchase tickets: There are five types of tickets for the Chiba venue, ranging from 1 to 5 days. Tickets can only be purchased through the official app "J-Fes". Unfortunately, applications from overseas are not accepted.  

👉Recommended accommodation for Chiba venue・ROCK IN FESTIVAL 2024

👉Recommended Accommodation for ROCK IN FESTIVAL 2024 in Ibaraki

👉Recommended Experiences, Activities, and Sightseeing Information in Chiba 

RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 

The RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL is a festival where you can experience exhilarating music in the grand nature of Hokkaido. A camping area is set up at the festival venue, and participants can stay overnight in tents, allowing them to enjoy both music and the outdoors at the same time. At the festival venue, there are many attractions such as food and drink booths unique to Hokkaido and "Climbing Land Nobonobo" (information from the previous year), allowing you to enjoy the festival in a sightseeing mood.

There are also can badge gachas and merchandise sales, so you can not only get your favorite artist's goods, but also a wide variety of festival-exclusive items. The can badge gacha is popular every year, and you can enjoy the fun of collecting.  

Overview of RISING SUN ROCK 2024

• Date: August 16th (Fri) and 17th (Sat), 2024 (Rain or shine, all-night event)
• Venue: Ishikari Bay Shinminato Tarukawa Wharf Outdoor Special Stage
• Address: 1 Chome, Shinminato, Ishikari City, Hokkaido / 5 Chome, Zenibako, Otaru City
• Access: About 40 minutes by car from JR "Sapporo" station, or about 30 minutes by car from Otaru Bay 

Shutter Bus, Official Tour: You can check the latest information on the official website.

https://rsr.wess.co.jp/2024/access/accessguide/

• How to purchase tickets: There are various types of tickets available such as general admission tickets, tent site included tickets, and auto camping included tickets. You can check the types of tickets and purchase them from the official website. 

https://rsr.wess.co.jp/2024/tickets/

• Accommodation: As there are no hotels around the venue, it is recommended to camp at the venue.

👉Recommended Experiences, Activities, and Sightseeing Information in Hokkaido 

What are the essential items for a summer festival? Guide to outfits and manners

Essential items for a summer festival 

• Ticket: Essential for festival entry
• Cash: Some shops inside the venue may not accept cashless payments, so it's safe to bring cash
• Mobile battery: There are no charging spots inside the venue
• Insurance card: For those living in Japan, bring it in case of unexpected injuries or illnesses
• Water bottle: Rehydrate to prevent heatstroke. Prepare a water bottle or plastic bottle 

Items to enjoy outdoor festivals even more 

• Hat, sunscreen: Essential to protect your skin from long hours of sunlight
• Insect repellent: Prepare sprays or patches to prevent insect bites
• Towel: Useful for wiping sweat and avoiding sunlight. It's safe to have a spare
• Spare clothes: In case of raining, sweating, or getting muddy
• Wet wipes, tissues: Wipe your hands and face to refresh 

Festival attire and manners

Dressing appropriately is crucial for summer festivals. It's a good idea to pair a T-shirt with comfortable pants or shorts with leggings. Especially at festivals where you'll be walking for long periods, comfortable sneakers are a must. For festivals held in nature like Fuji Rock or Rising Sun, trekking shoes or rain boots are essential items. Also, bring a raincoat or waterproof jacket in case of rain. For sun protection, we recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses.

If you're attending a festival, it's important to respect the personal space of other attendees. Follow the festival manners, such as not taking photos or using umbrellas. In particular, the use of umbrellas is often prohibited as it can pose a danger to other attendees. Keep these clothing and manners tips in mind for a safe and enjoyable festival experience.