Hokkaido & Tohoku Summer Festivals [2025–2026]: The Complete Guide to Outdoor Music Events

Held as a flagship summer event of Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture, it aims to widely showcase the region’s appeal, revitalize the local community, and connect the future with younger generations. Although it was suspended after the Great East Japan Earthquake, it was revived in 2022 with a new concept. On the event stage, performances and live music by local and well-known artists are featured, and fireworks are launched at night. It’s also recommended for families, with classic festival food stalls and game booths, as well as water play areas for children, so you can enjoy a full day of fun.

This festival is organized by young people who share the goal of revitalizing Yokote and conveying its appeal to others. It’s designed to foster a sense of unity, with shopkeepers doing business in front of their stores, local gourmet vendors setting up booths, and eco-friendly activities that are gentle on the city—all to create a festival that the whole community can get excited about.

Started in 1999 as Japan’s first full-fledged all-night outdoor rock festival, RSR is a large-scale open-air rock event that makes the most of Hokkaido’s vast landscape. A major feature is that you can pitch a tent and camp—chat with friends around your campsite, stay up all night catching live shows, or choose freely among the nearly simultaneous performances across multiple stages. How about crafting your own two days of freedom, in your own way?