Whether your taste in music tends towards traditional rock & roll, soul, alternative or contemporary Japanese you are sure to find one of your favorite artists or discover a new favorite when you attend a summer music festivals in Japan.   The line up of artists from the gamut at these three great music events.

Fuji Rock Festival ’09

The 12th annual Fuji Rock Festival is Japan’s largest outdoor festival and will take place from July 24th through the 26th at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, part of the Chubu region of Japan.  The original festival was held near Mt. Fuji in 1997 and retained the name despite moving to Naeba in 1999.

Over 100,000 people will attend the event to see headliners Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and Weezer.  Other artists announced June 2nd include:

Altan Urag, THE BIRTHDAY, BOIKOT, CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH, CRAZE & KLEVER, Dachambo, DE DE MOUSE, DJ TASAKA, esne beltza, JET, nakamura mari, NEWDEAL X TAMAKI ROY, ROVO, YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI, animanimus, bouzumans, THE CENTERHITS, THE DESCRIPTIONS, gekitetsu, Harp On Mouth Sextet, Jaribu Afrobeat Arkestra, KATE SIKORA, kowarekakeno tape recorders, mahiruno, nenem, reito, SuiseiNoboAz, taizan ni asobu and uchikubi gokumon doukoukai.

“High up in the mountains, far away from city life and daily grind, you’ll love this festival and it’s unique atmosphere.”

Various Fuji Rock Festival Tours including accommodations and transportation from 16 cities in Japan can be booked in advance.  Access to the Fuji Rock Festival site and accommodations in the area can also be arranged independently. Free shuttle buses will operate between Echigo-Yuzawa station (about 1.5 hours outside of Tokyo by train) and the festival site.

Fuji Rock Festival ’09 Event Details

Dates: July 24(Fri), 25(Sat), 26(Sun) 2009
Hours: Gate Open 9:00 / Stage starts 11:00 / Stage close 23:00
Tickets: 3-day tickets: ¥39,800; 1-day tickets:  ¥16,800 (limited to 10,000/day) Pre-booking for all ticket types closes June 5th and regular sales will start on Saturday June 6th.
Car park pass: ¥3,000/car/day for 2+ persons (Not sold separately from entrance tickets)
Campsite ticket: ¥3,000 valid for festival period (Not sold separately from entrance tickets)

Summer Sonic 2009

The 10th annual Summer Sonic is held in two different cities over the weekend of August 7-9, 2009.  The artists will perform in Osaka on Maishima Island and at Chiba Marine Stadium and Makuhari Messe, approximately 40 minutes outside of Tokyo.

Headlines include Beyonce, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Nine Inch Nails, Limp Bizkit, Elvis Costello and The Imposters, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Lady Gaga/Klaxons among others.  The list of artists performing at Summer Sonic 2009 is impressive.

Tickets range in price from ¥13,000 for a one day ticket to ¥39,500 for a three day pass. Summer Sonic 2009 Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online.

Rising Sun Rock Festival 2009

Taking place in Ezo, Hokkaido on August 14th & 15th, the Rising Sun Rock Festival is an outdoor event featuring a line up of Japan’s contemporary artists covering a range of genres including rock, AOR, alternative, industrial, techno, jazz, ska and more.

Tickets range in price from ¥18,000 to ¥21,000 plus camping and parking if needed.  Tickets to the Rising Sun Rock Festival are currently on preorder.  Regular ticket sales start on June 27th.

Image Credit: Flickr, Fuji0037 & Chiba Marine Stadium: The Verve

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