Summer 2025: Japan’s must-attend festivals for Music lovers

If you like music, concerts, and good ambiance, you’ll be in good company this summer! From July to September 2025, you can enjoy Japan’s Music festivals held all around the country, with something everywhere, for everyone! Summer in Japan isn’t all about heat; it’s a time to feel the music, meet new people, share your tastes and your culture, and of course, move your body to some incredible tunes! But with such a wide variety of festivals to enjoy, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. To make it easier for you to choose which festival to attend, here’s a little list with some of the best festivals and their dates for this year!

July

“Rural” in Fukushima

If you like electronic music, Rural is an absolute must! Initially focusing on deep techno music, the festival has evolved through the years to welcome a wider range of different styles and underground artists to fit various music tastes!

This year, it is taking place at the Nowhere CAMP in Fukushima between the 18th and 21st of July and will welcome artists such as DJ KURI, Innerworld, Cosmo, Akie, Teppei, and so many more! Get to know more about this year’s Rural through the official website.

“Number Shot” in FUKUOKA

For this one, we’re flying all the way to Kyûshû to attend the largest music event of the region, Number Shot. Stacked to the brim with various activities, outdoor and indoor concerts, local and intercultural food and drink stands, and a mix of pop and rock music with various artists and groups, it’s easy to see why this is such a big event. Some of the lineup for this year includes go!go! Vanillas, MAN WITH A MISSION, Saucy Dog, SEKAI NO OWARI, Aooo, who have already attended Number Shot in previous years, and newcomers to the event, such as HYDE, Leina, and CLAN QUEEN. Trust us, you are sure to have a wonderful time at this festival!

Number Shot is held from the 19th to the 21st of July this year, at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka. For more information, visit the Number Shot 2025 official website!

“Fuji Rock” in NIIGATA

Taking place every year since its debut in 1977 under the theme of ‘the coexistence of nature and music,’ Fuji Rock festival is one of the largest outdoor music festivals in Japan, with 12 different stages of various sizes and music genres, 7 food and drink areas, workshops and attractions, and around 200 artists from all around the world! With names like James Blake, RADWIMPS, Maya Delilah, FRED AGAIN, just to name a few. In addition, this festival is also known for its environmentally friendly dimension and its strong sense of community, proudly emphasizing the phrase “help each other and give to others.”

Once again returning this year, Fuji Rock is going to take place at the Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture from the 25th to the 27th of July. Be ready, there is also an Eve (that is free to attend) on the 24th with fireworks, contests, music, and surprise performers, to help you dive into this 3-day-long party! Looking to learn more? You can get more information on the official website of the festival.

“Muro” in KANAGAWA

Since 2012, the Muro festival has known how to bring music lovers all together, with full outdoor concerts, a real love for music, and a captivating atmosphere! This year, lineups include artists such as HERO COMPLEX, w.o.d., KALMA, HumpBack, and so many more to discover! 

It will be taking place at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse in the Prefecture of Kanagawa near Tokyo for two days: July 26th and 27th. You can find more information about the festival on their official website.

August

“Tokyo Idol Festival” (TIF) in TOKYO

First held in 2010, TIF is the world’s largest festival focusing on celebrating Japanese Idol culture! For the 15th anniversary this year, more than 150 idol groups will perform, separated into 12 lineups. AKB48, KiSS KiSS, Juice=Juice, and i-COL are just some of the groups set to attend. It’s safe to say that this festival is a must-attend if you are a fan of idol culture!

This year, it will take place on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of August at Odaiba Diver City, Central Square, in Tokyo. Check TIF 2025’s official website to get more information.

“Rising Sun Rock” in HOKKAIDO

Let’s travel north to enjoy the warm atmosphere mixed with the fresh air of Hokkaido at the Rising Sun Rock festival! First held in 1999, Rising Sun Rock has been the first all-night outdoor festival to appreciate the sunrise in the morning after partying all night.

This year, the festival takes place at Ishikari Bay New Port Tarukawa Wharf starting on the 15th of August and finishing at 4 am on the 16th, featuring artists and groups such as Tele, THE COYOTE BAND, berry meet, MONO NO AWARE, and more. Make sure to check out the festival’s official website for more information.

“Sonic Mania” and “Summer Sonic” – TOKYO & OSAKA

Summer Sonic is a festival taking place in two different regions at the same time, switching lineups to let nobody miss the show of their favorite artist! Performers present in Osaka on the 16th of August will most likely come to Tokyo on the 17th, and vice versa, with some exceptions; to make sure you get the full lineup, check the official website. This year, some of the performing groups and singers are LiSA, Camila Cabello, JVKE, and Babymetal, who already attended this festival last year, but also newcomers such as 7co, AI, Kanna, Common, and many more! In addition, there is also a Kid’s Club Section with a DJ – kids can enter for free, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult.

Summer Sonic Osaka will be held this year at the Expo 70 Commemorative Park in the prefecture of Osaka and Summer Sonic Tokyo will take place in Tokyo’s neighbouring prefecture, Chiba, on two sites: the ZOZO MARINE STADIUM and Makuhari Messe, where will also be conducted the warm-up party, Sonic Mania, on the 15th, with shows from GESAFFELSTEIN, Perfume, FLOATING POINTS, and more. One important detail to note is that you must be over 20 to get in to Sonic Mania! You can get more information on their official website.

“MONSTER baSH” in KAGAWA

With 5 different stages, several spaces for food, drinks, and featured products, and more than 850.000 visitors since 2000, MONSTER baSH, also called “モンバス” (Monbasu), is one of the biggest festivals in Shikoku. And with such amazing numbers, it’s easy to see why!

It will be held this year at the Sanuki Manno Park in the northeast of Shikoku on the 23rd and the 24th of August, and will welcome performers such as Haruka Future, Singer’s High, Cry, Lexi, Kishidan, and others. You can find out more on their official website.

“Sweet Love Shower” in YAMANASHI

Produced by SPACE SHOWER TV, Sweet Love Shower, or Lovesha, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year! On the occasion, 83 artists such as sumika, Chilli Beans, MONOEYES, omoinotake, and many more have been announced to be part of the lineup.

One of the main strengths of this festival is its particularly beautiful location, Yamanakako Communication Plaza Kirara in Yamanashi, where you can enjoy the view of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanaka. The festival is taking place between the 29th and the 31st of August this year. Get to know more about Lovesha 2025 on their official website.

“Animelo Summer Live” in SAITAMA

If you are an anime fan or if you just like anime songs, Animelo Summer Live (ANISAMA) is where you’ll want to go! As the world’s biggest anime songs festival, you will find no less than 50 singers and groups such as LiSA (Sword Art Online, Demon Slayer), of course, but also FLOW (Naruto), JAM Project (One Punch Man), SPYAIR (Haikyuu!, Bleach), and so many more.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of ANISAMA. 20 years of pure love for anime music, community, and true moments of reunion between the performers and their fans, all singing their favorites together. More than concerts, shows also include visuals from anime, anecdotes and stories about the songs, and pyrotechnics synchronised with the beats, promising a heartwarming spectacle!

It is held at Saitama Super Arena on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of August. Go through their official website to learn more about Anisama 2025.

September

“Ultra Japan” in TOKYO

Known as “Tokyo’s ultimate electronic music festival,” Ultra Japan will engulf you in an electrifying and breathtaking atmosphere with immersive stages, audiovisual shows, fireworks, and top guests such as DJ Snake, Hardwell, Adam Beyer, and others! If you like house music, techno, dub, dance, or hip-hop, you cannot miss this festival! 

It will be conducted in Tokyo, at Odaiba Ultra Park, on the 13th and 14th of September 2025. Alongside the concerts, you will also enjoy great fashion, original makeup and hairstyles from other visitors, and don’t forget to let your inner artist take control of your body for the weekend! Take a look at Ultra Japan’s official website to learn more about it.

“Rock in Japan” in CHIBA

An amazing ambiance, music genres from K-pop to J-Rock, 4 main stages… but also 5 days of different artists from all around Asia, what a gigantic party! Properly enjoy the end of the Summer season at Rock in Japan festival, and get to see performances from UVERworld, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Vaundy, Porno Graffitti, IVE, Morning Musume, and that’s a very non-exhaustive list! 

On August 13th, 14th, 15th, but also the 20th and 21st, come to the Soga Sport Park in Chiba to join the festival and to finish Summer in (rock) style! Get more information on Rock in Japan’s official website.

Are you ready for this Summer? Fuji Rock, TIF, Summer Sonic, Lovesha, ANISAMA, Ultra Japan… Overall, a list of 12 of the greatest Music festivals in Japan during summer! But which ones do you choose? Whether you like pop, rock, or electro music, you will likely find your must-attend festivals this year, and this list is your guide for a groovy Summer season! So get ready to party all summer long, with tons of music fun. We’ll see you there!

Featured Photo Credit: Hanny Naibaho on Unsplash

Ready for more summertime fun this year? Check out our Summer Tours page to find your next summertime adventure!

 

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