Fuji Rock Festival is a three day music festival held annually in late July (2020 will be held in August due to the 2020 Games being held in Tokyo) 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, 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 with an impressive preliminary lineup being announced early 2020. 

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 is difficult and expensive.

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 – Yes cash talks in Japan and it is no different at the festivals.  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
• Lanyard for your ticket so you don’t lose it and to keep it dry
•          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, 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 TICKET!!

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. If you want to avoid long lines or save some pennies (yen) an idea is to premix your favourite beverage before you get there.  Buying alcohol at the festival will set you back approximately 600 yen per drink. 

 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 near the Red Marquee and the other is at the furthest end of the grounds where Orange Café and Café de Paris are located.

 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.

 Information Centre

In the Oasis food area there is an information centre that you can go to if you lose anything, have a problem or if you require first aid.  There is also a notice board nearby where the organizers will post any changes to the schedule.

 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 7pm.

Away From the Main Stages

The main acts will be on the Green Stage, White Stage and Red Marquee and Fields of Heaven but make sure you do check out the other stages as you just may miss out on something special.

Head up the Mountain

Catch the Dragondola (gondola) to the top of the mountain taking 20-25 minutes while taking in the amazing views and once up there enjoy more festival music.  Return ticket will cost approximately 1,500yen (price subject to chang