As we roll out of the darkness of winter through the sakura-mad spring season, it’s time to get outside and celebrate. There’s no better way to enjoy Japan’s warmer months than by taking advantage of the country’s incredible season of music festivals. In Japan the music festival circuit is as diverse as the people that attend. Whether it’s big-name rock icons or obscure electronic musicians, we’ve put together a guide to some of the best outdoor music events for 2017’s spring/summer months.

EDC Japan
April 29th–30th

Electric Daisy Carnival is one of the biggest dance music celebrations in the world. Originating in Las Vegas, Nevada, it has now become a global phenomenon. In April the arrival of EDC in Chiba (a short trip from central Tokyo) unofficially marks the beginning of Japan’s music festival season.

For the 2017 leg of the tour, festival organizers have gone all-out, booking the biggest international names in electronic music, including  headliners Fatboy Slim, Zedd Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren and Martin Garrix alongside local heroes A.Mochi, Banvox and Licaxxx. For lovers of dance, EDM, techno and everything in between, EDC is the perfect kickoff for your 2017 summer festival assault.

japan.electricdaisycarnival.com/en

Rainbow Disco Club
May 3rd–5th

Rapidly garnering a reputation for being one of the country’s best and most underrated festivals, Rainbow Disco Club will be celebrating its seventh year this spring.

Located in the scenic Izu Peninsula, the three-day camping and arts event is the perfect low-key antidote to the country’s mega-dance music events that engulf the country during the warmer months.

With one of the most well-curated lineups on the festival calendar, 2017 sees contemporary house, disco and dance legends Floating Points, Hessle Audio (Ben UFO, Pangaea and Pearson Sound) share stages with Japan’s finest: Keita Sano, DJ Nobu and Akiko Kiyama.

www.rainbowdiscoclub.com

Japan Jam
May 4th–6th

Held over three days at Chiba City’s Sports Park, Japan Jam is a take-no-prisoners rock celebration. While electronic music events have begun to swell in popularity, it’s fair to say that Japan still unashamedly loves rock and roll.

A strictly day-only affair, festival-goers are recommended to book their Chiba accommodation early unless they don’t mind having to make the daily 40-minute commute from Tokyo Station to the festival site.

This year sees local guitar-wielding heroes Crossfaith, The Oral Cigarettes and Acidman headline the 2017 event.

japanjam.jp

RE: Birth Festival
May 12th–14th

Now in its fourth year, RE: Birth festival was born from the need to rebuild and come together to help stimulate Japan’s party scene following the devastating 2011 earthquake.

As of last year, the festival has made its home at an abandoned quarry on the scenic Nokogiri Mountain in Chiba, Japan. With an emphasis on underground music, RE: Birth showcases house, dance, bass, techno and psytrance as well as live bands. RE: Birth is a fully inclusive affair: The festival creators have worked hard to create a diverse environment, bringing together people from different backgrounds. The common goal is to get lost in music and art.

www.rebirth-fes.com

Greenroom Festival
May 20th–21st May

Hosted in Yokohama, Tokyo’s seaside sister city, Greenroom Festival is a celebration of surf culture and bayside lifestyle through world-class music, art and film.

Taking over the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama’s scenic Minato Mirai district, 2017 sees roots and rock heroes Jake Bugg, Izzy Bizu, Michael Franti, and SOJA headline the two-day event.

As well as a live music stage, Greenroom also hosts a mini film festival, screening some of the best contemporary and retro surf films. You can purchase a one- or two-day pass, which will give you access to everything the festival has to offer.

greenroom.jp

Taico Club
May 27th– 28th

Rolling through two days, Taico Club boasts one of the most diverse but accessible lineups Japan’s 2017 festival season has to offer.

Situated at camping haven Kodama No Mori in Nagano, Taico Club is without a doubt a must-visit for those who love festivals, but can’t stand the one-day super-jammed festival crush.

Now in its 12th year, the event has managed to keep a relatively low profile, resulting in an organic evolution and fan base swell that other festival organizers would kill for. This year is potentially the biggest yet, with the bill featuring Battles, Lil’ Simz, Moodymann, KOHH and Motor City Drum Ensemble.

taicoclub.com/17

Itadaki
June 3rd—4th

If the big-name, international-headlined events are not your style and you’re on the hunt for something a little more domestic, Shizouka’s Itadaki Festival is the way to go.

Hosted in Yoshida Park along the stunning Suruga Bay coast, Itadaki is a family-friendly, chilled-out two-day camping event that feels equal parts beach holiday and music festival. 

Attracting some of Japan’s most interesting up-and-coming names, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the sweltering Japanese heat while discovering your new favorite local band. 

www.itadaki-bbb.com/2017/story

Fuji Rock
July 28th—30th

A pilgrimage to Fuji Rock, the most internationally-recognized name on Japan’s festival circuit, is a rite of passage for pretty much every live music fan. It feels right to wrap up this list with Fuji.

Located at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata, Fuji Rock is the pinnacle of big-name, mainstream rock music festivals. For its 2017 incarnation, the festival behemoth features the unbelievable bill of Gorillaz, Queens of the Stone Age, The xx, Aphex Twin, LCD Soundsystem, Bjork and Lorde—just to name a few.
fujirock-eng.com