Kyoto Music Festivals [2025–2026]: Outdoor Festivals and Events Summary

The HAKASE TARO Music Festival is a revamped version of the annual summer festival hosted by Taro Hakase since 2002, relaunched with a new concept in 2019. Held as an outdoor festival in two locations—Kyoto and Tokyo—both venues are places where you can feel Japan’s history, offering a new experience of enjoying contemporary music. In Kyoto, the venue is a shrine, promising an even more special time. Exploring Kyoto’s history or strolling through the city before attending the event will likely enhance the way you enjoy it.

Kuro-mame Rock—the name is striking, isn’t it? It takes its name from Kyotanba Town’s specialty, black soybeans (kuro-mame), so once you hear it, you won’t forget it. Kuro-mame Rock Fest is a packed event in Kyotanba where you can enjoy nature, food, and music. It’s an event that people of all generations can enjoy.

“Itsuseka” is a circuit-style event organized by Six Blitz in Kyoto. Steeped in DIY spirit, it’s held with the aim of energizing Kyoto’s music scene. They’re also recruiting volunteer staff, so joining behind the scenes could be a great option. As a circuit event, many shops and music spots serve as venues. “The world will always be…”—what words would you add after that?

THE STAR FESTIVAL takes place at a campground in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, so it’s a music festival where you can of course camp. At night, you can experience an otherworldly atmosphere created by the lighting combined with the great outdoors—a view you don’t normally encounter—making it a highly recommended festival where you can soak in a sense of escape from the everyday.