Stefanie Akkerman moved from the Netherlands to Japan in 2013 with her Japanese husband and son. She jumped into the niche of Dutch tour guiding in Tokyo and Kamakura in 2015 and occasionally writes articles about all the great sights and activities Japan has to offer. She loves (Japanese) food, and to work that all off she goes diving, snorkeling, cycling, or hiking.
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Once summer starts, there are endless outdoor activities in Japan. There are traditional matsuri festivals and firework festivals all throughout the country, but did you know that Japan is also a very good destination for music festivals? If you enjoy rocking out to the best bands and artists from all over the world, keep reading for a list of the best Summer Music Festivals in Japan in 2024!
- 1. Fuji Rock Festival
- 2. Osaka Giant Music Festival
- 3. Rock in Japan Festival
- 4. MONSTER baSH
- 5. Earth Celebration 2024
- 6. Summer Sonic Festival 2024
- 7. Sky Jamboree 2024
- 8. Sweet Love Shower 2024
- 9. Rush Ball
- 10. Ultra Japan
- 11. Inazuma Rock Fes
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours
- Other articles you might be interested in
1. Fuji Rock Festival
Perhaps the most well-known summer music festival in Japan, Fuji Rock Festival is guaranteed to have some of the music world’s biggest names on stage like Noel Gallagher, german techno Pioneers, Kraftwerk, and popstar, SZA . Of course, there is also no shortage of local musicians such as the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. This festival is almost completely outdoors so expect lots of nature walks and onsens as well!
Dates: July 26 – 28, 2024
Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture
Entry: ¥22,500 – ¥60,000
Official website: Fuji Rock Festival
2. Osaka Giant Music Festival
The Osaka Gigantic Music Festival, commonly known as Giga, has been a staple in Osaka since 2017. Last year, the festival showcased a range of well-known Japanese artists across various genres, such as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, [Alexandros], DISH//, UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, and ALI, drawing a crowd of 55,000 attendees. This summer, the festival is set to return to Osaka Maishima Sport Park.
Dates: July 20-21, 2024
Where: Osaka Maishima Sports Island
Official website: Giga Osaka
3. Rock in Japan Festival
The Rock in Japan Fes is the largest J-pop and J-rock festival in Japan when it comes to the number of fans. This festival always manages to attract some of the hottest artists in the history of J-pop. If you want to be immersed in Japan’s pop and rock scene, this is the summer festival for you! Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the festival will be held at 2 different locations for 10 days total this year. The first half of the festival will take place in August at the Chiba location, and the second round of events will take place in September in the venue Hitatchi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates: August 3-4, 10-12, 2024 (Chiba)/ September 14-15, 21-23 (Ibaraki)
Where: Soga Sports Park, Chiba prefecture/ Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibakari
Official website: Rock in Japan Fes
4. MONSTER baSH
Shikoku is probably most famous for its 88 temple pilgrimage. However every summer, music fans go on a different kind of pilgrimage to Kagawa’s beautiful Sanuki Manno National Park to enjoy music under the beautiful blue sky while surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers. With both lively concert venues and even more quiet open nature spots, MONSTER baSH (or Monbash) has something to offer for everyone. Unfortunately, if you did not already secure your spot, 2024 tickets are sold out.
Dates: August 14 – 25, 2024
Where: National Sanuki Manno Park, Kagawa prefecture
Official website: MONSTER baSH
5. Earth Celebration 2024
The Earth Celebration on Sado Island is a vibrant festival that honors the beauty of nature through a weekend filled with music and performances. Organized by the Kodo Taiko drumming group, this event features impromptu performances and enchanting music scattered across the island. Both local and international artists participate, with this year’s lineup including Uganda’s Nakibembe Embaire Group.
Dates: August 16-18, 2024
Entry: ¥21,000 Adults
Where: Sado Island
Official website: Earth Celebration 2024
6. Summer Sonic Festival 2024
Held in both Tokyo and Osaka for 2 days, the Summer Sonic Festival is one of the summer festivals that is the most accessible. The way this works is that artists play in each city on either the first or second day. It is also the Japanese summer music festival that attracts the most artists from abroad. This year, they were able to get some amazing acts such as Bring Me the Horizon, Major Lazer, and Aurora! And of course, there will be many famous Japanese artists as well.
On top of this, one day before the festival, an all night music event, Sonic Mania is held in Tokyo
Dates: August 17 – 18, 2024
Where: ZOZO Marine Stadium/Makuhari Messe near Tokyo/ Expo’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka
Official website: Summer Sonic 2024
7. Sky Jamboree 2024
With the scenic Inasayama mountains as a backdrop, Sky Jamboree is an all-day rock festival that showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of local artists. The event embraces the theme “one pray in Nagasaki,” celebrating the collective joy of music while wishing for global peace. This year’s lineup features performances by Maximum the Hormone and 10-Feet, who will take the stage under the bright mountain sunshine.
Dates: August 25, 2024
Entry: ¥10,00
Where: INASAYAMA PARK OPEN-AIR CONCERT HALL
Official website: Sky Jamboree
8. Sweet Love Shower 2024
With wonderful views of Mt. Fuji and Lake Yamanakako in the background, the Sweet Love Shower festival is a great way to enjoy the best of Japan’s music scene. This event lasts for 3 days and attracts approximately 80,000 visitors from around the world. This year you will have the opportunity to listen to artists like The Yellow Monkey, Imase, and ELLGARDEN among others in the clean and fresh mountain air.
Dates: August 30- September 1, 2024
Where: Lake Yamanakako, Yamanashi prefecture
Official website: Sweet Love Shower 2024
9. Rush Ball
Rush Ball is an open-air rock event in Osaka where everyone who loves to experience music the best way(live right in front of you) get together and enjoy great music among one another. Dance and sing along with Japanese rock groups like Cinema Staff, THE BAWDIES, and Kyuso Kekokami.
Dates: August 31- September 1, 2024
Where: Izumiotsu Phoenix Multipurpose Field, Osaka
Official website: Rush Ball
10. Ultra Japan
ULTRA JAPAN, the largest EDM festival in Japan, was inaugurated in 2013. However this festival has been taking place in Miami since 1999 and has become one of the biggest dance fetsivals in the entire world since; now taking place in a number or countries such as South Africa, Brazil, and Japan. This event showcases incredible dance music by globally renowned artists and DJs, with previous performances by Skrillex, Deadmou5, Afrojack, The Chainsmokers, among others. Each year, the festival attracts over 100,000 attendees.
The festival is held in Tokyo’s Odaiba area. In 2024, ULTRA JAPAN will span two days, with the lineup of artists to be announced soon; however the confirmed acts so far include DJ Snake, Peggy Gou, and Axwell to name a few!
Dates: September 14-15, 2024
Where: Tokyo Odaiba Ultra Park II
Official website: Ultra Japan
11. Inazuma Rock Fes
On the scenic shore of Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, Inazuma Rock Fes is held in the middle of September. With multiple stages and a free area, every year it is a large get together for those who love to listen to Japanese rock music. Jam out to bands like TMRevolution, Novelbright, and HYDE at Shiga’s largest music festival not far from the touristy Kyoto.
Dates: September 21- 22, 2024
Where: Karasuma Peninsula Grass Square, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Official website: Inazuma Rock Fes
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