[2025–2026] Music Festivals & Outdoor Events Guide for Hokkaido and the Tohoku Region

Akita-born singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi hosts the outdoor festival Akita CARAVAN MUSIC FES. His dream since his major-label debut—to energize Akita through music—has finally come true. As the word CARAVAN in the event title suggests, the festival changes its venue every year, aiming to tour all 13 cities within Akita Prefecture.

Nihonmatsudera Fest is held by opening up the temple to the public. Based on the idea that temples once served as the center of community gatherings, this event was planned to raise awareness of temples in modern times and help people feel closer to them. Hopefully, performances by artists and the food-and-drink booths will spark interactions among visitors.

This is a circuit event organized by Shikachan, an event promoter active in Fukushima Prefecture. Shikachan is reportedly a staff member of TONEFOLK, a music information site based in the Tohoku region. Although it’s a small-scale circuit event held across two venues, the lineup mainly features up-and-coming bands on the verge of breaking through, making it an event you won’t want to miss.

This event takes a novel approach by combining hot springs and music. It involves renting out a hot spring inn in Fukushima and holding a live concert for 150 people in the grand banquet hall. The audience can enjoy being close to the artists as well as the hot spring ryokan itself—what a wonderful event. After the earthquake, a third of the establishments in the host area, Tsuchiyu Onsen Town, closed down. This event was launched to help bring vibrancy back to the hot spring town.