[Held in 2026] Recommended music festivals: A roundup of outdoor festivals and major rock festivals you’ll want to attend at least once

It’s a summer festival hosted by 10-FEET, a three-piece rock band from Kyoto. It began in 2007, but the inaugural event had to be canceled due to a typhoon. However, there’s a saying that festivals canceled by a typhoon in their first year go on to become beloved and popular events… True to that saying, this festival has seen various legends unfold every year—perhaps thanks to the mysterious power of the organizers, the three members of 10-FEET, and all the attendees. The overall atmosphere is known for being warm and friendly among both performers and visitors. It’s an essential event that marks the start of summer in Kyoto.

Held since 2009 under the name KESEN ROCK, this event wasn’t started by band members or event promoters, but by ordinary people. It’s described as an event “made entirely by hand without even knowing what a rock festival is,” making it a celebration of true DIY spirit.

Speaking of Fuji Rock, it’s one of Japan’s three major music festivals. It’s a large outdoor rock festival that draws over 100,000 attendees across three days every year. The venue is Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture. You can enjoy a wide range of musical genres across stages of various sizes, and at night there are all-night DJ events—truly a festival where you can immerse yourself in music. Plus, just being at a festival set in the great outdoors is enough to get your heart racing. If you’re a music fan, it’s a festival you should attend at least once.

As a new festival organized by Ibaraki Broadcasting, the LuckyFM Green Festival has been held since 2022. Following the relocation of the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL, the event has adopted the motto “Don’t let the flame of Ibaraki’s festival culture go out,” and has been reimagined with a new concept as a celebration of music, food, and art at its venue, Hitachi Seaside Park. Featuring local ingredients and a wide range of art and music genres, it’s also recommended as a family-friendly event. It’s sure to become one of your favorite summer memories!

Started in 1999 as Japan’s first full-fledged all-night outdoor rock festival, RSR is a large-scale open-air rock event that makes the most of Hokkaido’s vast landscape. A major feature is that you can pitch a tent and camp—chat with friends around your campsite, stay up all night catching live shows, or choose freely among the nearly simultaneous performances across multiple stages. How about crafting your own two days of freedom, in your own way?

A flagship Japanese festival that has been held since 2000. Not only top domestic acts but also many renowned international artists perform, making it an event that draws global attention. A defining feature of Summer Sonic is that it’s an urban, touring-style festival. In addition to being easily accessible, the Tokyo and Osaka lineups swap over the two days. So whichever venue you attend, if you go for both days, you can see all the headliners.