The Hofu Music Festival, held in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture at the start of the new year, is designed so that citizens can enjoy music casually. Under the title “Street Corner Live Concert,” there are free-admission performances at several venues around the downtown area, open clinics by wind and percussion players, and ticketed concerts featuring a full, star-studded orchestra with guest performers active in Japan and abroad. The program changes daily to keep things fresh and enjoyable for everyone. It’s a recommended event that even beginners can enjoy!

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.