Hokkaido & Tohoku Summer Festivals [2026]: The Complete Guide to Outdoor Music Events
The summer festival season has arrived in Hokkaido and Tohoku, woven together by refreshing breezes and music.
Set against majestic mountains and vast grasslands, there’s nothing quite like the luxury of enjoying music in harmony with nature.
From melodies carried on pleasant sea breezes to delicious local specialties, summer festivals are brimming with unique charms.
Seeking musical thrills and a sense of freedom you can’t find in the city—why not create special summer memories on the lands of Hokkaido and Tohoku?
- [2026] Complete Guide to Autumn Festivals in Hokkaido & Tohoku: Recommended Music Events
- Featured Spring Festivals in Hokkaido & Tohoku [2026]
- Miyagi Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals and Events Roundup
- Hokkaido Music Festivals [2026]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Roundup
- [2026] Guide to Music Festivals and Outdoor Events in Hokkaido and the Tohoku Region
- [2026] Hokkaido & Tohoku Winter Festival Guide! Introducing Popular Event Information
- Aomori Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals & Events Summary
- Iwate Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary
- [2026] Complete Guide to Summer Festivals in the Kanto Region: Music Festivals and Outdoor Festival Information
- Fukushima Music Festivals [2026] Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary
- Music festivals in eastern Japan held during Golden Week [2026]
- Akita Festival Calendar [2026]: A roundup of music festivals and outdoor events
- Winter Music Festival in Eastern Japan [2026]
July
SENDAI EnsembleSat 7/18–Sun 7/19, Miyagi Prefecture
| Schedule | Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19, 2026 |
| place | Sendai Nishikōen, 1-3 Sakuragaoka Park, Aoba Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.sendai-ensemble.com/ |
OGA NAMAHAGE ROCK FESTIVALFri 7/24–Sun 7/26, Akita Prefecture
A music festival that, like KESEN ROCK, represents Tohoku! Takeshi from YAMAARASHI handles the booking, bringing together genuine rock bands.
| Schedule | Fri, Jul 24–Sun, Jul 26, 2026 |
| place | Special stage in Funakawa Port, Oga City, Akita Prefecture |
| Appearance | Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai / ELLEGARDEN / Kariyushi 58 / G-FREAK FACTORY / SHANK / Su-xing-cyu (Yonsei-kyuu) / TOTALFAT / Dragon Ash / Backdrop Cinderella / Harukamirai / HEY-SMITH / Yabai T-Shirts Yasan / Yama Arashi / The Ravens / ROTTENGRAFFTY / and more |
| Website | http://www.onrf.jp |
| SNS |
KUSHIRO KIRI FESTIVALHokkaido, Sat 7/25–Sun 7/26
| Schedule | Saturday–Sunday, July 25–26, 2026 |
| place | Kochomachi Green Space, Kushiro, Hokkaido |
| Website | https://www.kushirokirifestival.com/ |
| SNS |
Nangō Summer Jazz FestivalSaturday, 7/25, Aomori Prefecture
A jazz festival where you can camp! Enjoy jazz in Nangō, which is also famous as a tourist destination.
| Schedule | Saturday, July 25, 2026 |
| place | Kakko-no-Mori Echo Land Outdoor Stage, 11-10 Kurosaka, Ichinozawa, Nangō, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.city.hachinohe.aomori.jp/soshikikarasagasu/nangojimusho/matsuri_event/2/25347.html |
| SNS |
August
Temple FestSat, 8/1 Yamagata Prefecture
A music festival set at a temple. Watching performances in the main hall with the Buddhist altar as a backdrop is quite a rare sight, isn’t it?
| Schedule | Saturday, August 1, 2026 |
| place | Wakamiya-ji Temple, Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Website | http://terafesasahimachi.jimdo.com |
| SNS |
Hokkaido JAZZ in Otaru JAZZHokkaido, Sat 8/8 – Tue 8/11
| Schedule | Sat, Aug 8, 2026 – Tue, Aug 11, 2026 |
| place | Otaru Canal Asakusabashi Special Stage, 5 Minatomachi, Otaru City, Hokkaido |
| Website | https://otaru.gr.jp/event/jazz-in-jazz-2026 |
GarinPeiro FES THE ROOTSAug 13 (Thu) – 14 (Fri) Akita Prefecture
| Schedule | Thu, Aug 13–Fri, Aug 14, 2026 |
| place | Tazawako Ski Resort, 73-2 Shimotakano, Tazawako Obonai, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.akt.co.jp/events/garinpeirofes |