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A Magic Carpet Ride
- June 19, 2019 ● Experiences
Connecting the main festival grounds below with two small but not-to-be-missed mountaintop stages is a Japanese feat of engineering.
The Dragondola, which was built in 2001 to connect Naeba and Kagura/Mitsumata Ski Resorts during the winter season, is a 5.5 kilometer long gondola taking about 20-minutes from end-to-end. Touted as the worlds longest gondola lift line, it traverses a number of peaks and deep valleys, offering both panoramic views of the festival grounds with deep blue lakes seen in the distance, the later swooping low across cool mountain streams before continuing onto the summit.
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Know Your Fuji Rock Stages!
- June 17, 2019 ● Experiences
If you don’t know it already, Fuji Rock is big. We all already know about the Green Stage, where the headliner action takes place. But if it is your first time to the fest here is a handy little guide to some of the other stages. Try your best to visit them all!
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‘Zenyasai’ Thursday Night Pre-Festivities
- May 5, 2019 ● Experiences
For those familiar with the entire Fuji Rock experience, you don’t need to be told not to miss the pre-festival kickoff that happens on the Thursday night before the festival.
Not only is it free and open to anyone, even without festival passes, Thursday night is your chance to get amped up for the days to come and kick off the festival in true fashion.
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It’s Going to be a Brilliant Time
- April 10, 2019 ● Bands, Experiences, From Fujirockers.org
Having been both a music journalist and a musician myself since my high school days in the 90’s, my journey through this industry has been epic and winding. My first festival, as a musician, was the Boom ’n’ Blast in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. A now-defunct teen band competition in my hometown’s central park, with a stage and a sound system worthy of household names, it made me feel like I had already reached the big leagues. However, they were still decades away. My first international festivals included Zandari Festa in Seoul, which I attended as an artist, and Music Matters in Singapore which I covered as a music journalist; the former operating on a mission statement similar to that of the original SXSW festivals (with an eye on showcasing the best in independent talent) and the latter hosting headliners like Pentatonix; the hot topics of the moment.
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Camper Van Fun
- April 2, 2019 ● Experiences, From Fujirockers.org, Interviews
Imagine bypassing railway stations and boarding your very own private vehicle for Fuji Rock. Enjoy the comfort of cup holders, electric outlets, air-con, and bunk beds. Keep your beverages chilled and your rucksack tucked away. Best of all, when it rains, you will be 100% watertight.As for the amenity that many ask about, “only use it in an emergency” is what the rental lot attendant instructed before we headed off down the highway.
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Sunshine Always Follows the Rain – Asagiri Jam ’18 – Day 2
- October 10, 2018 ● Bands, Experiences, From Fujirockers.org
While the early morning mist and clouds prevented those who were ambitious enough to wake up at the crack of dawn from being able to see the sunrise, by the time most folks were rolling out of their sleeping bags, the sky was blue the mercury was rising. Asagiri Jam’s second day would show just how much fun the festival can be when Mother Nature plays along.
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A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone – Asagiri Jam ’18 – Day 1
- October 10, 2018 ● Bands, Experiences, From Fujirockers.org
Feeling like a scaled down, chilled out and grown-up cousin of Fuji Rock, Asagiri Jam has been going strong since 2001. This perennially sold out, 10,000-person strong yet intimate party gives you plenty of time to sit back, relax, and really enjoy some music and some nature. And this year was no exception, with legends like Yo La Tengo, Clammbon and Boredoms shoulder to shoulder with artists like Gogo Penguin, Snail Mail and John Butler Trio. All this in an idyllic setting with an iconic view of Mt Fuji. What more could you ask for?
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Fujirockers chat to Albert Kuwano of AQ Bevolution!
- July 18, 2018 ● Essentials, Experiences, Food, Interviews
Mr. AQ himself, Albert Kuwano in his element.
Starting last year, with the addition of Craft Beer Market at Fuji Rock, bringing along 4 booths of the country’s top brewers and importers, (concurrently offering a total of around 20 different craft beers at one time) the standard for quality beer at the festival was substantially raised. This was great news for beer fans all throughout Naeba. READ MORE
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Camping essentials
- July 5, 2018 ● Essentials, Experiences
Twilight camping in the hills of Naeba
If you haven’t reserved other accommodations for Fuji Rock this late in the game, I’m going to assume, much like myself and the bulk of the Fuji Rock attendees, you are going to be camping in the rolling mountains of Naeba! READ MORE
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What on Earth should I wear to Fuji Rock?
- June 26, 2018 ● Essentials, Experiences
Now that you’ve got your waterproof shoes and practical camping clothes picked out, it’s time to throw some actual fashion items into your luggage. So make sure to save some room for a frog suit, panda mask, interesting headgear, face paint, or exceptional clothing items that will have the punters lining up to snap selfies with you. Need some inspiration? Here’s a sampling of festival fashion statements from 2017.
