[2025–2026] Special Feature on Music Festivals & Outdoor Events in the Chugoku and Shikoku Regions

An outdoor music festival held across multiple venues centered around Obiyamachi, the heart of Kochi City’s downtown. Under the concept of “Turning the city into a stage,” artists from a wide range of genres gather to energize the central area of the city, with a focus on Kochi’s downtown.

A key theme of this festival is that it’s handmade by citizens, with professionals and amateurs working side by side without barriers, creating the festival from the same perspective. It features nonstop music and numerous booths, giving it a strong, festive atmosphere.

MONSTER baSH is an outdoor rock festival that has been held in Kagawa Prefecture since 2000. It’s affectionately known by its nickname, “Monbasu.” Since 2003, the main venues have consisted of two stages: STAGE Kukai and STAGE Ryujin. These two stages are set up side by side, so you can see every act performing on the main stages. There’s also an area at the back of the main stage zone where you can lay down sheets or set up parasols, making it possible to stay comfortable even in the intense heat.

WILD BUNCH FEST., which began in 2013 as the successor to SET STOCK, a music festival held in Hiroshima for ten years starting in 1999.

One particularly impressive feature of WILD BUNCH is the small floating stage on the sea, located in a cove-like area of the venue, called “On the Sea,” which is used only for the closing act. Since it’s the closing act, the surroundings are completely dark by then, and the live performance on the small stage floating on the water is a must-see. Also, last year a campsite was set up inside the venue, allowing attendees to stay overnight from day one to day two, so that’s another highlight to watch for.