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

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.

TRINGLE, held within Fukuoka’s Seaside Momochi Beach Park. It’s incredibly appealing that so many popular bands from the loud and melodic hardcore scenes are gathering, and a two-day pass is available at this price. It’s a highly recommended festival for live music kids around Kyushu! A rock fest on the beach at summer’s end—the sunset scenery will surely strike a chord in your heart, don’t you think?

This event had been held as JAPAN JAM BEACH until 2016, but due to facility constraints at Makuhari Seaside Park, the venue, we relocated starting in 2017. The new venue spans roughly 50 hectares, and the grounds where the stages are set up are adjacent to each other, allowing for a compact layout. What’s more, it has become a truly groundbreaking urban festival, just an 8-minute walk from the nearest station!