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

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 majestic nature of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region awaits you as the stage for a music festival.

A celebration of music unfolds beneath vast mountains, sweeping grasslands, and crystal-clear blue skies—an extraordinary experience you won’t find in the city.

Enjoy delicious local specialties packed with each region’s charm, and warm encounters with the people who live there.

Under a pleasant breeze and a sky full of stars, come feel the unique sense of togetherness created by the audience and the artists.

Past events

TOHOKU MUSIC JOURNEYSat 12/6 – Sun 12/7, Miyagi Prefecture

tohokumusicjourney.com

Schedule	Sat–Sun, Dec 6–7, 2025
place	Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, Yume Messe Miyagi, Exhibition Halls A, B, and C
Website	https://tohokumusicjourney.com/
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Hakodate Christmas FantasySat 11/29 – Thu 12/25 Hokkaido

http://www.hakodatexmas.com

This is a Christmas event held in Hakodate, Hokkaido. While the event itself runs from December 1 to 25, “Fantastic Eve” takes place on the 23rd and 24th, and a “Christmas Night Ceremony” is held on the evening of the 25th. Since it’s Hokkaido, there’s a high chance of a white Christmas, making this one of the Christmas events you’ll definitely want to check out.

Schedule	Saturday, November 29, 2025 – Thursday, December 25, 2025
place	Around the Red Brick Warehouse District, Suehiro-cho, Hokkaido
Website	http://www.hakodatexmas.com

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SORACHI STREET CULTURE FESTIVALMon, Nov 24 — Hokkaido

Schedule	Monday, November 24, 2025
place	Sunagawa City Citizens' Exchange Center Yuu, Hokkaido
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Minamisoma FestivalNov 22 (Sat) – 23 (Sun), Fukushima Prefecture

Schedule	Saturday–Sunday, November 22–23, 2025
place	Kashima Lifelong Learning Center, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture
Website	https://minamisomafes.com/
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Nihonmatsu-dera FestivalSun, Nov 16 – Fukushima Prefecture

Nihonmatsudera Fest is held by opening up the temple to the public. Based on the idea that temples once served as the center of community gatherings, this event was planned to raise awareness of temples in modern times and help people feel closer to them. Hopefully, performances by artists and the food-and-drink booths will spark interactions among visitors.

Schedule	Sunday, November 16, 2025
place	Ryusenji Temple, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Website	http://eishozan-ryusenji.wixsite.com/nihonmastuterafesu
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