[2026] Guide to Music Festivals and Outdoor Events in Hokkaido and the Tohoku Region

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 music event that focuses on music—which surely played an important role in the lives of our predecessors—and aims to recreate the roots of how it was enjoyed. In addition to music, there’s food and workshops to enjoy. It’s a festival where you can have fun while thinking about and experiencing country living.

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.