Why did you come to Fuji Rock? -Visitor interviews at Fuji Rock Festival'25-【1】

This is a SPICE original project “Why did you come to Fuji Rock?” that investigates the appeal of Asia's largest outdoor music festival, Fuji Rock Festival, from various viewpoints about how Fuji Rock is seen in their eyes by conducting interviews with visitors from overseas. We interviewed at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture from July 25 to July 27 in 2025.
“Fuji Rock Festival '25” featured over 200 domestic and international artists, including headliners Fred Again.., Vulfpeck, and Vampire Weekend, and attracted a total of 122,000 attendees over the four days, including the pre-festival party. Foreign visitors accounted for 20% of the total, and nearly half of them traveled from overseas.
This article introduces the fascination of “Fuji Rock” as reflected by 15 groups of overseas music fans.

Name  / Nationality / Age / Occupation
Question1: How many times have you been to Fuji Rock?
Question2: What is your purpose for coming to Fuji Rock?
Question3: What are you looking forward to at Fuji Rock?
Question4: What is your impression of Fuji Rock?
Question5: Any tips for people visiting from overseas to enjoy Fuji Rock?

 

■You're in a different part of the world and experiencing different culture and everything.

Emily / USA / 29 / Waitress
Brian / USA / 37 / Paramedic
Amir / USA

Q1: “First time.”

Q2: “It was a surprise. Our friend surprised us like “Hey, we're taking you to Fuji Rock.”

Q3: “Really looking forward to seeing all the shows and checking out the vendors.”

“It's really exciting stuff to see the music scene here in Japan.”

Q4: “I feel like it's very similar to a couple of festivals that we go to over in the States. It's very although this one is like it's a whole different experience. Because you know, you're in a different part of the world and experiencing different culture and everything.”

Q5: “They should probably book their tickets now. Because we wanted to camp, we wanted to rent somewhere nearby, but everything's sold out. So we're going to have to go home today.”

 

■Dress comfortably.It's amazing. Just come and enjoy.

Laura / Australia / 30 / Speech therapist
David / Australia / 31 / Agricultural scientist
Isabel / Australia / 31 / Speech therapist

Q1: “Second time.”

Q2: “Probably to explore all the different, you know, stages and attractions. That's what I'm most excited for.”

Q3: “A few of the artists, like Fred again...”

“Hanging with friends.”

Q4: “To compare with Australian Festivals, greener here. And the festival is organised much better. Yeah. Not enough toilets at Australian festivals. Everyone's very polite and careful of each other, but in Australia, not so much.”

Q5: “Dress comfortably.”

“It's amazing. Just come and enjoy.”

 

■Go to the river. Why? It's very fun.

Andy / Sweden / 47 / English teacher

Q1: “This is the 20th time from 2005.”

Q3: “Oh, this year, Mono no Aware. I want to see them, but I've never seen them before, only on TV. Last year, I forgot to say in the interview... The Cure, in 2007 at Fuji Rock, that was the best live I've ever been to.”

Q5: “Go to the river. Why? It's very fun. And, my tent is completely broken. The outer part is gone. I don't know what happened to it. So if it rains, it will be a big problem. I have to buy a new one.”

 

■I'd say to dress for all weather. Rain and sun.

Claire / Australia / 30 / Environmental conservation
Ben / Australia / 31 / Mechanical maintenance

Q1: “First time.”

Q2: “Our friends have been to the festival before. So we've come back with them. There's six of us from Australia. We're on moon caravan. We got caravans from Narita. Mainly came to Japan for this festival, but we also went to Tokyo and we're going to Nagano after this. So a few drive around.”

Q3: “Ecca Vandal, who is Australian.”

Q4: “It's a lot more orderly. Very clean, safe, less drinking, less rubbish. It's a lot cleaner. Very respectful.”

Q5: “I'd say to dress for all weather. Rain and sun.”

 

■Don't forget the wristband! I lost it and so bought new one. It's so sad.

Eunjee / South Korea / 30 / Company employee
Chaeeun / South Korea / 32 / Consultant
Donggyu / South Korea / 30 / Company employee

Q1: “First time.”

Q4: “Very cozy, eco-friendly. There are a lot of children, which makes the atmosphere more comfortable. The atmosphere really makes me feel freedom.”

“I have also been to the Summer Sonic Tokyo. Compare to Summer Sonic, I think Fuji Rock is more family friendly. And people look more like relaxed, chill, which makes us also feel chill.”

Q5: “You must come because I think this is the best festival in Asia.”

“You must have to wear a large hat!”

“Don't forget the wristband! I lost it and so bought new one. It's so sad.”

 

FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '26, scheduled to be held from July 24th to 26th, will feature headliners such as The xx, Khruangbin, and Massive Attack, as well as Japanese acts such as Fujii Kaze, XG, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, and Hi-STANDARD. Keep an eye out for the artist lineup and ticket information being announced one after another. Make this summer even more exciting with Fuji Rock!

 

Interview and text by Yuko 'Dora' Soutome

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