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

This festival started in 2010 as BLARE DOWN BARRIERS, a live event hosted by coldrain, and from 2020—its 10th year—it has been held as BLARE FEST. With a stellar lineup that festival lovers won’t be able to resist, a sellout seems inevitable. We recommend checking ticket information early. It’s the kind of festival where you’ll want to catch every second across all three stages, so if you’re coming from out of town, plan to stay overnight and make the most of it.

TENJIN ONTAQ is a circuit-style event held at live music venues in Tenjin, Fukuoka, with the concept of “encounters with music.” Bands that have been making headlines recently and those gaining popularity will perform! We can’t wait to see what this year’s lineup will be like.

The popular circuit festival Mihatodai, held in Osaka’s Minami district, will be taking place in Tokyo again this year. Each year it features a large number of performers, and with nine venues on the schedule, this famous Kansai circuit event is finally becoming firmly established in the Kanto region as well.

This event has been held since 2013, launched by the Osaka Sakai-based bands GOOD 4 NOTHING and THE CHINA WIFE MOTORS out of a desire to give back to their hometown. The venue has been in Sakai City since the beginning, and the event is deeply rooted in Sakai, with booths introducing local food, clothing, housing, and various cultures. This year, the venue has been moved to Sakai City’s Umi to no Fureai Hiroba, featuring an outdoor stage. With the event taking place at the end of May, the weather should be just right for a comfortable and enjoyable time.

DEAD POP FESTiVAL, which has been held since 2010 under the slogan “Break the Wall,” has firmly established itself as an outdoor event and joined the ranks of summer open-air festivals. The festival is hosted by the hugely popular reggae-punk band SiM. Because SiM is always taking on new challenges, the event has featured initiatives unlike anything seen before. This year as well, their fresh ideas will no doubt make it an incredibly fun experience.

ARABAKI is written as 荒吐 in kanji, and it is said to refer to a tribe that expanded its influence in the Tohoku region more than 1,200 years ago. The Arahahito (Arabaki) people are said to have loved the land where they lived from the bottom of their hearts and to have played an active role in protecting peace and the dignity of Tohoku. This kind of “ray of light that illuminates Tohoku’s history” is the concept of this festival. Every year, many rock bands gather at the ARABAKI Rock Festival, creating an exciting atmosphere. Look forward to the fusion of history, culture, and rock.