![Hokkaido & Tohoku Summer Festivals [2026]: The Complete Guide to Outdoor Music Events](https://media.ragnet.co.jp/img/1200__png__https://www.ragnet.co.jp/files/2025/04/a3e7657db359c7052edaa1c06865a9b1.webp)
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]
June
CHAGU CHAGU ROCK FESTIVALSat 6/6 – Sun 6/7, Iwate Prefecture
| Schedule | Sat, Jun 6–Sun, Jun 7, 2026 |
| place | Tsugawa Mirai-kan Apio, Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Website | https://www.tvi.jp/chagurock/ |
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July
NEUTRAL ARENASat, 7/4, Miyagi Prefecture
| Schedule | Saturday, July 4, 2026 |
| place | Xebio Arena Sendai, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Website | https://neutral-arena.com |
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KESEN ROCK FESTIVALSat 7/18 – Sun 7/19, Iwate Prefecture
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.
| Schedule | Saturday–Sunday, July 18–19, 2026 |
| place | Yumeumi Park, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture |
| Website | http://kesenrockfes.com |
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August
RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL in EZOFri, Aug 14 — Hokkaido
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?
| Schedule | Friday, August 14, 2026 |
| place | Hokkaido, Otaru City, Outdoor Special Stage next to Tarukawa Wharf, Ishikari Bay New Port |
| Website | http://rsr.wess.co.jp |
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