FAQs
Tickets
How do I buy festival tickets?
First off, check out this post: 2019 Ticket Announcement.
Tickets are on sale from February 2nd 2019.
Overseas ticket buyers have three online options:
Ganban will open for ticketing when the main tickets become available. You’ll need a PayPal account to purchase tickets.
iFlyer.tv also offers tickets. You can purchase via the website or the app.
Ticketflap is a ticketing service for those living in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Don’t forget to purchase a camping ticket, and if coming by car, you’ll need a parking ticket as well. Check the ticketing section of the official site for info on camping and parking tickets.
Are any package tours available?
There various bus or bullet train package deals available, you can find a festival ticket and bullet train package deal here.
Accommodation
I want to camp. Do I need a camping ticket?
Yes. Be sure to purchase one when you buy your festival ticket.
What are the campgrounds like?
Camping main camp grounds are large, crowded and fun! If you want to stay as close to the action as possible, this is your best option.
About 17,000 people camp here each year, which means you should choose a spot you can remember and consider displaying something to catch your eye on those late-night missions back to your tent. Also be aware that most camping takes place on the Naeba ski slopes, which means the terrain may not be level.
Open flames and tarp shelters are not permitted, and cooking is restricted to designated BBQ areas.
Showers are available to camp ticket holders, and if you are looking for a good hot soak you can take advantage of the Naeba Onsen free of charge as well.
Please take advantage of the Camping Clinic for help, especially if it your first time, and be aware that there is a separate female-only camping area.
What other camping options are available?
Pyramid Garden Campsite
If you are part of an overseas tour package or domestic bus tour, there’s a good chance you will be camping in this location. It’s the first campsite you will encounter when entering Fuji Rock and just 1-minute away from tour bus parking. The area typically has a music stage and hosts music and wellness related workshops over the weekend. It’s a great place to recharge over the weekend long festival.
★ Campsite Ticket available for purchase upon purchase of official Bus Tour packages.
Moon Caravan
This is an area reserved for camper vans and other recreational vehicles. It is adjacent to the campsite though a special parking ticket and admission to this area is required. At the moment, these can only be purchased domestically in Japan. This area may sell out so please book early. The advantages of this arrangement include all of the benefits of camping (you can set up a tent) as well as being just a few meters from your car. Given the likelihood of rain at the festival, having a watertight vehicle nearby is a wise decision.
I don’t want to camp. What other accommodation is available?
The most popular option which keeps you out of the elements is the Naeba Prince Hotel, which is on the Fuji Rock grounds. Make sure to book early!
The area around Naeba has a number of options for accommodation, and a quick search through rakuten or booking.com should turn up some possibilities.
Please be aware, however, that most rooms are booked very early and prices can be on the steep side. If you are interested in avoiding camping you should start your hotel search early and be prepared to pay premium rates.
Transport
How do I get to Fuji Rock?
Train/Bus
From Tokyo Station:
Take either a Shinkansen (bullet train) or a local train from Tokyo Station To JR Echigo-Yuzawa station. The local is cheaper, but the Shinkansen is the most rapid and efficient choice. The Joetsu Shinkansen leaves Tokyo Station every 20 minutes from 6:08 to 22:28. From JR Echigo Yukawa Station, shuttle buses ferry all ticket holders to and from the festival site from noon on Thursday through Monday. The ¥500 fare gets you to the festival site; the return trip is free.
Car
Take the Shuto Expressway Route 5 to the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway, then follow the latter to the Kanetsu Expressway. Having journeyed about two and a half hours in this direction from Tokyo, you will arrive at the Tsukiyono Interchange; which is the nearest turn off to Naeba Ski Resort. Expect to pay approximately ¥5,000 in tolls along this route, for regular-sized vehicles. Traffic jams are also probable on the roads to and from the festival, for the duration of Fuji Rock. It is a good chance to practice meditation.
Or, why not ->
Preparation
What should I bring?
What should I wear?
See “Wet Weather” below in “At The Festival” section.
What is the weather like?
Mostly wet, but there have been occasional off years, in which case, it’s dry, hot and very dusty. Daytime in the mid-20s or higher but nights in the mountains can be cool, so bring something to keep you warm.
Food and Drink
What sort of food is available at the festival?
There are all sorts of things available. Most food is Japanese but there are vendors serving fish and chips, paella, pizza and much more. A list of this year’s vendors will be released closer to the start of the festival.
I have allergies/ dietary restrictions. What can I eat?
Unlike many international festivals, dietary restrictions are not well-catered for most of the time, but occasional gems surface. Vegetarians may have some difficulty finding things to eat around the site. The food courts near the Red Marquee and Field of Heaven both usually have pizza, if nothing else there looks edible. At other locations, it may be difficult to find much choice. For vegans and those with other requirements, well, you may find yourself living on fried potatoes. Bring a stash of food with you to ward off hunger and check out this post: Hunger Games.
Can I bring my own drinks into the festival?
There are plenty of places to pick up drinks at the festival, and even places where you can refill your own bottle with tea or water. Glass containers are prohibited at the festival but anything else goes.
Check out this post for first-timers for more tips: 10 Ten Tips for First Time Fuji Rockers.
At The Festival
Arriving and Setting Up
Ganban
If you haven’t noticed it already when tracking down tickets, Ganban is your friend. They are the folks who supply the tickets, they are responsible for lots of merch, and they are a great resource not only pre-show but also when settling in.
If you make your way to Ganban Square in the Oasis (where most of the food and drinks are happening by the Red Marquee) you will find a good place to get situated. This is where you can get a lot of said official merchandise, drink some tasty cocktails, listen to a DJ play some solid tunes and even occasionally have a chance for a meet and greet with some of the acts.
First-Aid and Medical Facilities
Fuji Rock’s main First Aid Tent is located in the Oasis area of the festival. There are also limited first aid facilities attached to some campsite information booths. Staff are very friendly and equipped to treat many common problems: bug and spider bites, blisters, other minor injuries. There may be a small charge of JPY 100-200 for some medical supplies. For more serious injuries, staff may direct you to an area hospital (be warned, it’s not very close). Some common nonprescription drugs (acetominophen, ibuprophin, aspirin) as well as sunscreen, bug spray and other items can be purchased at convenience stores up the hill from the festival site, though supplies can sell out. As a general rule, be prepared and bring what you’ll need.
Wet Weather
It always rains. Even gorgeous sunny weekends can see an hour or two of intense downpours, and this may well happen during that set you by your favorite band you are absolutely not willing to miss. Don’t let it ruin your day or weekend. As a group, Fujirockers pride themselves on rain preparedness. To stay dry and comfortable, let’s break it down into three types of clothing to think about.
Footwear: If the weather forecast is looking moist, full rubber boots that come up to the calf (Wellington boots or Wellies) are the most foolproof for rain and deep mud, though mud hasn’t been a big problem recent years due to improvements to drainage at major stage. The best solution (though not necessarily the cheapest) is G0retex hiking boots, which will keep your feet dry if it rains, and will not bake like a rubber oven if it is sunny. Flip flops are not recommended: they get stuck in the mud and don’t protect your feet from rough ground and crowds.
Hat: A lightweight waterproof camping hat can fit in your pocket and is great for sun or rain. Baseball caps are almost as good. In short, bring a hat, any hat. Also, keep in mind that umbrellas are not allowed at main stages.
Keep your body dry: Many come fully kitted out in Goretex mountain gear, including jackets and rain pants. A simpler solution is a rain poncho. Fuji Rock good shops sell several fashionable ponchos for JPY 3000-5000, while you can also buy a cheap plastic rain coat for JPY 1000 or less. Personally, I bring good waterproof shoes, a hat, a waterproof jacket, and also keep a convenience store rain poncho in my back pocket at all times.
Bringing Kids
Follow these easy tips to keep your festival experience with the little ones stress-free! Stay close to the food to make sure you’re prepared when snack time hits. Green stage is a good place to be for close proximity to food as well as great musical lineups. Next, have a tight festival schedule. This often means getting up early and putting the kids to bed at a decent hour, so just be prepared to rise and shine even after a late night at the Red Marquee. Lastly, be prepared. Passing out in a barely setup tent was never a problem back in university, but as a parent it won’t fly. If camping, make sure to check more of the preparation section above and be sure to pack enough wet weather clothing, sunscreen, and kids hearing protection. Oh ya, and don’t forget to check out the giant play area- ‘Kids Land’ while at the festival!
After The Festival
Leaving and Packing Up
The festival officially ends at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 28th. Those with tickets for the campsite may stay until the 29th, at noon. Please be sure to pack up all your belongings and take them with you; do not leave any behind as rubbish.
Transport
Bus/Train
A free shuttle service is available through Monday, that can take you from the festival site to JR Echigo Yukawa Station; schedule TBA. From the aforementioned station, you may take the Joetsu Shinkansen (or your choice of local train) back to Tokyo Station.
By Car
Take route 17 south-east to the Tsukiyono Interchange, then follow the Kanetsu Expressway south-east about two and a half hours to the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway. The latter will lead you to the Shuto Expressway Route 5, and into Tokyo
Trash
Original garbage bags are distributed at the festival’s entrance gates and there are trash bins organized by volunteers at the venues, campsites, etc. Please dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins. If you cannot find an appropriate bin, please take your trash home with you. Thank you very much for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition into next year’s festival season.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
My band wants to play Fuji Rock. Who do I contact?
If you wish to play a main stage, we cannot help you here, we just run the blog. Contact Smash – https://smash-jpn.com.
If you wish to apply for the Rookie A-Go-Go stage, check out the Rookie Application site. Applications should be made in Japanese.
Can you get me a press pass to Fuji Rock?
Nope.
I have a complaint. Who do I contact?
Please contact Smash, not us.
