The Japanese people are well ahead of their time in many regards and their capacity and ability to grace the world with a myriad of world-class festivals. All throughout the year, Japan plays host to a wide array of music festivals and events in its respective regions. 2020 promises nothing short of epic and we have here a list of music festivals that are a testament to that.
We’ll update this space as and when we get word of new festivals and the like but here’s 5 Japan Music Festivals that we think you’ll be stoked about.
1. Daydream Festival Japan 2020
This April, embark on a music festival of a lifetime and dream with your eyes wide open as fantasy turns into reality in Nagoya, Japan as the epic Daydream Festival takes place for a one-day-only extravaganza filled with dreamlike theatrics, world-class performers and more for the very first time in its decade-long existence.
Dominating the stages and transforming the festival grounds into a literal dreamscape, festival-goers can look forward to the transcendent sounds of some of the world’s top DJs—think, Norwegian producer and DJ extraordinaire, Alan Walker, Dutch producer, Afrojack and powerhouse duo, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. More acts are slated to be announced closer to the event date.
2. Fuji Rock Festival
If you need a solid reason to take a trip to Japan, Fuji Rock will prove to be a good fit. The event isn’t held at Mt. Fuji per se, but it takes place up in the mountains up at a famous Niigata ski resort. Due to the dream-like location, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of music lovers and renowned music artists such as Bob Dylan, Foo Fighters, Jason Mraz, Radiohead, and Coldplay.
When: 21 – 23 August 2020
Where: Naeba Ski Resort, 202 Mikuni, Yuzawa, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata 949-6212, Japan
3. Knotfest Japan
Metalheads listen up, this is one heavy rock festival you won’t want to miss. For the uninitiated, Knotfest is a one-of-a-kind music and lifestyle festival that celebrates rock and metal culture. It was conceptualised by none other than the multi-platinum, genre-defining metal band, Slipknot—hence the name. Bands to look forward to, include the likes of Slipknot, Trivium, Korn, Suicide Silence, Crossfaith, Marilyn Manson and many more!
When: 20 & 21 March 2020
Where: Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
More Information:
Knotfest Japan 2020
4. Music Circus Festival
Now into its sixth edition, this colossal music event that takes place in Osaka, Japan, promises nothing short of pure musical ecstasy. Experience a celebration by the beach unlike any other with a stellar line-up of international DJs as well as some of Japan’s most popular acts. Last year’s festival saw headliners Galantis, Yellow Claw and Mike Williams so you can imagine how much bigger it’s going to be this 2020.
When: 5 & 6 September 2020
Where: Tarui Southern Beach, Osaka Prefecture, Sennan, Rinku Minamihama
More Information:
Music Circus
5. Snow Machine Festival
Snow Machine is a brand new boutique alpine music festival spread out over four days that takes place in Japan’s largest ski destination of Hakuba, a village in the Japanese Alps located just outside the city of Nagano. The festival will feature multiple stages erected throughout the Hakuba Valley, including one at the resort, a main stage in the Happo-One Village as well as late-night stages located in venues throughout the three main villages, Happo, Echoland, and Wadano.
The event will feature huge Australian names including the likes of Peking Duk, Hermitude, Owl Eyes, MC lilly, indie-pop quartet The Jungle Giants, Young Franco and many more!
When: 1 to 4 March 2020
Where: Hakuba Happo-One, Hakuba, Japan
More Information:
Snow Machine
6. Summer Sonic Festival
Japan’s Summer Sonic festival is a feast for music lovers and folks who just love to party. The event curates some of the best acts in the world, inviting a range of rock, pop and EDM artists from across Japan and the world and host a three-day festival that’s held simultaneously in two different locations—Tokyo & Osaka. The full lineup has yet to be revealed.
When: 21 to 23 August 2020
Where: Zozo Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe (Tokyo), Maishima Sonic Park (Osaka)
Read our 2020 Guide to Music Festivals in Southeast Asia.
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