[2026] Must-Know Information on Music Festivals and Outdoor Events in the Koshinetsu and Hokuriku Regions

Music Festival Master / Editor-in-ChiefHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC and in charge of music festivals. When I attended my first music festival as a freshman in college, I was captivated by its charm—“I can’t believe there’s a place this free and this fun.” I share information about wonderful music festivals every day to help grow the community of festival fans.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

The Koshinetsu and Hokuriku regions are home to expansive, majestic mountains and crystal-clear skies.

Music festivals held here are drawing attention as special experiences where great outdoors and music intertwine.

In addition to performances by renowned artists, these events are packed with attractions like delicious local cuisine, hot springs, and camping unique to this area.

Savor blissful moments as you take in the grand scenery, wrapped in a pleasant breeze and the best music.

Use this article to help create wonderful memories with friends and family.

Past events

Nagaoka Oto-Musubi FestSun, 11/30 Niigata Prefecture

“Good music for delicious food.” Locals are once again feeling the greatness of their hometown and passing it on to the next generation. Visitors from outside the prefecture experience Nagaoka’s charm, potential, and warmth through this festival.

Schedule	Sunday, November 30, 2025
place	Niigata Prefecture, Nagaoka City, City Hall Plaza Aore Nagaoka
Website	http://otomusubi.com/

View details

Report a problem

BIG APPLE in NONOICHISun, Nov 23 — Ishikawa Prefecture

bigapple.nono1.jp

It began in 1995 after the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra, an amateur big band that started full-scale activities in Nonoichi City in 1980, performed at a jazz festival in the United States. The event title “BIG APPLE” is a nickname for New York and was chosen to signify a place where the world’s top musicians gather.

Schedule	Sunday, November 23, 2025
place	Ishikawa Prefecture, Nonoichi City, Nonoichi Cultural Hall Forte
Website	http://bigapple.nono1.jp/

View details

Report a problem

BUN BUN PARADESun, 11/16, Niigata Prefecture

http://www.joetsu-bunkakaikan.com

Schedule	Sunday, November 16, 2025
place	Joetsu Bunka Kaikan, Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture
Website	https://www.joetsu-bunkakaikan.com/2025/07/30/bun-bun-parade-2025%ef%bc%8d%e9%9f%b3%e6%a5%bd%e3%83%95%e3%82%a7%e3%82%b9%e3%80%81%e3%81%af%e3%81%98%e3%82%81%e3%81%be%e3%81%99%e3%80%82/

Report a problem

TOKI ROCK NIIGATASun, 11/16, Niigata Prefecture

Northern19, a three-piece rock band from Niigata Prefecture, has been hosting this indoor festival in their hometown since 2014. Known for songs that epitomize the melodic hardcore vibe, Northern19 appears on festival lineups across the country every year. Starting with its fourth edition in 2017, their Tokirock event adopted a circuit format held across two venues.