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

This event is hosted by PIZZA OF DEATH, led by Ken Yokoyama, guitarist of the legendary three-piece punk band Hi-STANDARD. There’s no doubt it’ll feature a scorching lineup again this year. A must-check event for live music fans.

Yatsui Ichirō of the comedy duo Eleki Comic is also known for his work as a rock DJ, actively engaging in the music industry by releasing compilation albums and more. This is an event he hosts. Rather than being a club music event, it’s a crossover-style event that incorporates a wide range of music.

This is an outdoor festival hosted by the four-piece melodic band, 04 Limited Sazabys. The venue, Moricoro Park, features a grassy lawn and offers a very pleasant atmosphere. As one of the first spring festivals, be sure to go check out YON FES!

Mihoudai, the large circuit festival held every year across multiple live venues around Osaka’s Amerikamura, will be back this year. The lineup is carefully selected by the Mihoudai staff from bands they’ve seen live over the past year, so you can catch a slew of artists who are really on the rise. Looks like we can expect plenty of wonderful bands again this year, don’t you think?

It’s a summer festival hosted by 10-FEET, a three-piece rock band from Kyoto. It began in 2007, but the inaugural event had to be canceled due to a typhoon. However, there’s a saying that festivals canceled by a typhoon in their first year go on to become beloved and popular events… True to that saying, this festival has seen various legends unfold every year—perhaps thanks to the mysterious power of the organizers, the three members of 10-FEET, and all the attendees. The overall atmosphere is known for being warm and friendly among both performers and visitors. It’s an essential event that marks the start of summer in Kyoto.