Fuji Rock Festival is a three day music festival held annually in late July in the ski resort area of Naeba in Yuzawa Town.  The event is the largest outdoor music festival in Japan, with up to 150,000 people attending each year which is why it is recommended to book accommodation and festival tickets well in advance. 

The music festival attracts big name acts and in previous years musicians such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan, Kendrick Lamar,  Peggy Gou, The Killers, Teddy Swims, Yellow Days, Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds, Omar Apollo, Kraftwerk, Jack Johnson, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Gorillaz, Bjork, Lorde, The Avalanches, James Blake, Sia, Jason Mraz and The Chemical Brothers have played.  

Acts certainly never disappoint. 

Naeba is 25km from the train station and you can get to the festival by either catching the bus that leaves from Echigo-Yuzawa train station on the East side or by taxi.  Parking at Naeba needs to be booked and paid for in advance.

You can find ticket sales details and other information via the official Fuji Rock Festival website www.fujirockfestival.com

Tips to help make your Fuji Rock Festival experience the best it can be

• Sunscreen
•          Hat – Most of the time you will be outside with little shade
•          Waterproof shoes – Yes, it always rains at Fuji Rock Festival so make sure your shoes are waterproof or better still gumboots are the way to go.  With rain comes mud so foot wear that can withstand it all is the first choice plus comfort of course
•          Raincoat – It always rains during this festival so pack a raincoat or poncho and some people even pack rain pants.  DON’T  take umbrellas as they are not allowed in the festival
•          Spare clothes – you will get wet and muddy
•          Long sleeve jacket – being in the mountains the temperature may drop in the evenings
•          Small towel – to mop away sweat, wipe a rained on face, protecting your neck and cooling you down
•          Cash –  Make sure you take some cash with you, although cashless payments are being encouraged at most stores.  A tip is to be super organsied and visit the 7-Eleven near Echigo-Yuzawa station and use their ATM before heading out to the festival
•          Powerpack – For your phone.  You don’t want to miss out on a photo opportunity
•          Something to sit on – the ground will be wet and muddy so take something like a small fold up chair that quickly & easily folds as chairs requiring assemply are not permitted, plastic tarp or large rubbish bags
•          Painkillers – for headaches
•          Insect repellent
•          Water – make sure it is plastic (PET) as no glass or cans are allowed into the festival
•          Bandaids
•          Sunglasses
•          Tissues – just in case there isn’t toilet paper
•          Hand sanitizer/wet ones
•          Torch or use your phone
•          Plastic zip lock bags for phones, camera and wallet
•          And most important thing of all DON’T FORGET YOUR WRIST BAND!!

 Not allowed at Fuji Rock Festival

• No chairs that need assembling
• No umbrellas
• No cans or bottles
• No smoking/vaping
• No littering
• Do not leave items unattended
• No use of tents or tarps in performing areas that will restrict the view of others
• No moshing or diving
• No use of selfie sticks

Pace Yourself

The festival grounds are huge taking at least 30 minutes to an hour to walk from one end to the other.  You will be walking and standing in hot, humid weather and possibly in the rain so keep well hydrated.

Garbage/Trash/Rubbish or as called in Japan “Gomi”

Japan is very thingy about their trash and being at a festival is no exception, so please respect this and throw away your trash in the trash bins and don’t just throw it on the ground.

Alcohol

Alcohol is allowed to be brought into the festival but remember NOT in glass or cans. If you want to avoid long lines or save some pennies (yen) an idea is to premix your favourite beverage before you get there.  

 Bag Check

Your bags will be checked each time you enter the festival grounds.

 Food

You definitely won’t starve at the festival.  There are two main food areas at either end of the festival.  The biggest being near the Red Marquee. 

 Walking

Expect to do a lot of walking as the festival is held at a huge ski resort and allow time to walk between stages and study the festival timetable well.

 Thursday Night

It’s FREE!! and Everyone is Welcome!!  It is known as the kick-off party.  Some locals attend to hold a bon-odori (traditional dance) and there are also fireworks and surprise bands and DJs in the Red Marquee.  Starts at 6pm.