[2026] Special Feature on Music Festivals & Outdoor Events in the Chugoku and Shikoku Regions

Iwakuni Jazz Street is a circuit-style jazz festival held at multiple venues around JR Iwakuni Station in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Now in its third year, the event aims to grow into one that is even more beloved by the people of Iwakuni and more widely recognized, reflecting on lessons learned from the previous edition. It aspires to be a warm, family-friendly event where everyone can participate.

WILD BUNCH FEST. began in 2013 as the successor to SET STOCK, a music festival held in Hiroshima for ten years starting in 1999. One especially striking feature of WILD BUNCH is the small stage called “On the Sea,” which floats on the water in a small cove-like area within the venue and is used only for the closing act. Since it’s the closing act, the surroundings are fully dark by then, making the live performance on the tiny stage floating on the sea a must-see. Also, last year a campsite was set up inside the venue, allowing attendees to stay overnight from day one to day two, which is another highlight.

Sanuki Rock was launched by Su-xing-cyu, Tokushima’s “most tear-jerking comic band.” It’s a circuit-style event held across multiple venues in Takamatsu City. Because it takes place at several locations, a wide variety of artists perform. It’s a community-focused music festival where you can enjoy encounters with new music.

An admission-free, circuit-style music festival that began in 2011 with the aim of enveloping Takamatsu in music. It features primarily jazz musicians and is notable for the large number of local amateur musicians who participate.