[2025–2026] Recommended Music Festivals: A roundup of outdoor festivals and major rock festivals you should attend at least once

CIRCLE is an event held every May. The venue is right by the sea, so you can enjoy the scent of the ocean while spending a wonderfully pleasant time at this spring outdoor festival. There’s also a designated area where you can set up tents, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festival at your own pace.

Kobe, which recovered and rebuilt after the damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. There was a great deal of support for the recovery. This charity festival began as a way to give back for that support and has been held every year since. Admission is free every year, and donations are collected throughout the venue. The event has safely been confirmed to take place again this year.

The concept of Mori, Michi, Ichiba is “space.” It is said to express both atmosphere and maai (sense of timing and distance). The event values the unique atmosphere and maai of people, nature, food, works, and music alike. Why not join to rediscover the appeal of not only music but also various creations and many other things?

@JAM, a celebration of pop culture, has been sharing a wide range of Japanese cultural highlights—centered on idols and including anime, Vocaloid, and more. Although @JAM EXPO 2020, which had been scheduled to take place, was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the replacement event @JAM ONLINE FESTIVAL 2020 has been confirmed. It’s a first-of-its-kind attempt: an online circuit festival streamed from live music venues. Even though it’s a different style of live show, it’s great that fans can still take part online. It’s exciting to think about what kinds of features and ideas they’ll use to entertain us.

Named after the phrase “Kaga Hyakumangoku,” Million Rock lives up to its name as the largest rock festival in the Hokuriku region. With a solid, festival-worthy lineup, it brings excitement every year. Its major appeal is the large roster of stellar artists.

SAKAE SP-RING, known as Saka-Sup, is a large-scale circuit festival held every year mainly at live music venues in Nagoya. It has become a staple early-summer event in Nagoya. For bands active in the indie rock scene, it serves as a gateway-style circuit festival.

Japan’s largest dance music festival born in Osaka! Centered around performances by world-class DJs and popular domestic singers, and packed to the brim with fashion, gourmet food, and even comedy, it’s the ultimate participatory entertainment experience overflowing with fun.