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Japan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Hitsujibungaku's pop-fueled rise to stardom
Moeka Shiotsuka remembers being amped for the 2016 Fuji Rock Festival. That year's three-day summer gathering at Niigata Prefecture's Naeba Ski Resort featured two of her favorite artists — James Blake and Sigur Ros — performing on the Green Stage. The lead singer and guitarist of rock band Hitsujibungaku recalls just one detail stopping her from fully getting into the Fuji Rock spirit. 'I had to prepare for our own performance on the Rookie A Go-Go stage, starting Sunday night at 1 a.m.,' the 29-year-old musician tells The Japan Times from a Sony Music office in central Tokyo. 'So I was nervous for all three days.' Hitsujibungaku's set went smoothly, so much so that 'we didn't want the festival to end at that point.' At the 2025 edition of Fuji Rock, the group — consisting of Shiotsuka, bassist Yurika Kasai (who joined a year after the Rookie A Go-Go performance) and drummer Hiroa Fukuda, who has been on hiatus since May 2024 — finds itself as the penultimate act of Sunday night on the White Stage, ahead of American trio Haim. It's the band's fourth appearance at Fuji Rock and its most prominent spot yet. 'Since it will be at night, we've prepared beautiful lighting and visuals to go with it,' Shiotsuka says, adding that the performance will showcase songs from across the group's career, dating back to its 2012 beginnings. Hitsujibungaku's promotion to a more coveted slot mirrors its evolution from indie-rock darling to an unlikely cornerstone of Japanese music's current global expansion. That's a theme underlining Fuji Rock 2025. The most prominent Japanese acts set to perform this year represent the sonic variety that has defined J-pop in the 2020s. Hitsujibungaku's blur of alternative rock and shoegaze coexists with the frantic rap of Creepy Nuts and the chameleonic pop of Vaundy, among others. Not one act sounds alike — but they all have, somewhat unexpectedly, shaped Japan's musical identity on the global stage. '(Going to the United States) was like diving into a new world,' says Kasai regarding the unfamiliar cultures and behaviors the band encountered during its first U.S. tour held earlier this spring, marking one of the project's bigger international leaps. 'It was freeing. Nobody would care if I was like, skipping down the street. It's not unusual.' Just a week ahead of Fuji Rock, the band traveled to London to play the Hyper Japan festival and announced its first European tour for this October , coinciding with the release of a still-to-be-named album. Hitsujibungaku's slow and steady rise feels like a throwback in the current fast-moving social media age. The band emerged from the Tokyo livehouse ecosystem to something bigger, thanks to feedback-glazed songs. The trio's absorbing concerts coupled with critical acclaim for its 2018 debut full-length 'Wakamonotachi E' ('To The Youth') helped land a deal with Sony Music's F.C.L.S. imprint in 2020. A major label connection didn't just get Hitsujibungaku's hypnotic rock in front of domestic fans but also brought the trio to the world. Its anthemic 2023 song ' more than words ' served as the closing theme for the incredibly popular anime series 'Jujutsu Kaisen,' while the following year the group provided the chugging ' Burning ' for 'Oshi no Ko.' This gave Hitsujibungaku the chance to reach a wider listenership via anime, the chief delivery mechanism of J-pop in the 2020s. Yet it also presented challenges for the band. 'We never really wrote pop songs before. Previously, if 100 people were listening to our music and 30 of them liked it, that was fine. But with a pop song, you have to please all 100,' Shiotsuka says, also noting that deadlines for these bigger projects can be hectic. This reality has sharpened the group's ability to write the hooks that anchor hits, while also teaching them how to use source material to craft a song that stands on its own. 'It's quite challenging, but I enjoy the challenge,' Shiotsuka says. Hitsujibungaku's latest releases ' Feel ' and ' mild days ' put the group to the test. The songs are respectively the opening and closing themes for the anime series 'Secrets of the Silent Witch,' a 'light novel' (a genre of young-adult Japanese fiction) adaptation currently airing on Tokyo MX. Shiotsuka says she followed a familiar path with 'Feel,' reading the original story and finding an angle that could be married with a driving rhythm. 'With 'mild days,' it was difficult because I had to use the same light novel as inspiration,' she says. 'I decided to take a break and have dinner with friends. It was really fun. In 'Silent Witch,' there's a bit about friendship, so I was able to apply my own experiences to the song.' Shiotsuka says that during the past two years, she often felt overwhelmed by everything happening to the band, from Fukuda's break and a series of critical shows across Asia to all those deadlines for prominent anime. 'Yurika was very supportive, and we talked a lot,' she says. 'I was able to gradually see that maybe this isn't so bad, maybe I can have fun with this.' The price of becoming one of the world's biggest Japanese rock bands means trading the sweaty intimacy of Shibuya clubs for a nonstop schedule. Yet it makes other moments sweeter — like being able to perform during a prominent slot at Fuji Rock. 'With other festivals, if we are playing on the second day of it, we wouldn't go on the first day,' Shiotsuka says. 'We'd just get ready in the hotel room. But all of us love Fuji Rock. For all three days, we are there. We enjoy being in the audience, watching bands from all over the world and being inspired by what we see.' Kasai notes that she goes to the same pizza stand outside of the Red Marquee stage year after year as a kind of tradition. Whereas other festivals find the band trying to please every punter in attendance, the Hitsujibungaku members see Fuji Rock as something closer to a solo show where they can dig into their older catalog and 'be a little more picky.' 'We can create the world of Hitsujibungaku, that's the most important thing,' Shiotsuka says. It's this ability for Japanese artists to simply be who they are and express the sounds they are drawn to that has helped the country's music stand out in recent years. Despite industry realities, the members of Hitsujibungaku still find rock magic in the Niigata festival, a reminder of what brought them to this point in the first place. 'Step by step, we just do what's in front of us. And once we reach a big stage — like playing Yokohama Arena, or touring abroad, or Fuji Rock — we realize we've come this far,' Kasai says. Fuji Rock Festival takes place at Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, July 25 to 27. Follow our coverage on our dedicated liveblog and on Instagram . For more information about the festival, visit . To learn more about Hitsujibungaku, visit
Japan Times
19-07-2025
- Japan Times
What to pack if you are heading to the Fuji Rock Festival
With Fuji Rock happening next weekend, a few essential items will go a long way in making your festival experience a rousing success. As of July 19, the forecast for Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, is looking good (if not a little on the hot side). Keep in mind that the weather in the mountains can change quickly and it is typhoon season in Japan, so be prepared for anything. Before you head out, here's a checklist of things to squeeze into your bags: Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots or rain boots are recommended. You're likely to spend a lot of time hoofing it between stages, so your feet will thank you for wearing shoes that are comfortable to walk in. Plus, you'll want to keep the mud out after a downpour. Experienced festival-goers usually add comfy insoles to give their feet extra protection. Rain gear: Umbrellas are prohibited at the festival. You can go all out with the Gor-tex everything, but in general, ponchos are adaptable because you can simply throw them on and off (the rain has a habit of coming down sporadically) and can cover any gear you have. Ponchos can also make ground cover if you need a quick snooze. Long-sleeved light jacket: You can go through an entire night at Fuji Rock in just a T-shirt, but it's best to be ready if the temperature plummets. Extra clothes: If it rains, though, you'll be happy you brought some extra socks and a fresh shirt. Power charger: You don't want your phone to die in the middle of snapping a selfie at the Green Stage or while trying to meet up with friends at the other end of the festival. While there might be charger rentasl Keep your electronic devices charged and ready for use, especially when the sun goes down and you might want to use your phone as a flashlight. Head-mounted light: Not a necessity, but if you're carrying a beer in one hand and a yakitori skewer in the other, it's handy to have a light on your head or around your neck as you traipse along a crowded fores trail. Sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, sunglasses, portable fan: You can find shade here and there, but you're going to be out in the elements for much of the festival. Towels: A small towel can help protect your neck from sunburn and wipe away any sweat or rain. Tenugui are also recommended for dunking in the cold river and wrapping our your neck when it gets hot. Toilet paper/tissues/wet wipes: Useful for mopping up spilled drinks and visiting the facilities. First-aid kit/painkillers: Moleskin or the elastic waterproof variety of Band-Aids offer an extra layer of protection in the battle against blisters. And there's nothing worse than facing a day of ear-piercingly loud music with a splitting headache brought on by one too many drinks the previous evening. Ear plugs: If you're planning to be hanging out in front of the larger speakers, your future self will thank you for wearing these. They're also handy in case you're camping and the people around you decide to pull an all-nighter. Small collapsible chairs: This is a controversial addition and not for everyone, but having a sitting spot up off the mud and gravel can be welcome for some. Small tarp or plastic bags: You're definitely going to need to sit down throughout the day, so at least be sure to take a small tarp or even a plastic bag because logs, rocks and chairs can often get wet. Cash: Most food stalls and vendors will have cashless payment systems, but it's still a good idea to have some cash on hand. There are ATMs at the Naeba Prince Hotel as well as an ATM set up outside the festival entrance. Fuji Rock ticket/wristband: You would be surprised to learn that some people have actually shown up in Naeba without this absolutely essential accessory. Don't be that person. This story has been updated since it was last published in The Japan Times in July 2019.
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Time Out
Tokyo ranked as one of the best cities in the world for nighttime tourism
While Tokyo is great to explore any time of day, it truly comes alive at night – it's a 24-hour city through and through, as we explored in our latest 24 Hours in Tokyo issue. The capital is widely praised for its safety, stunning night views and affordability, making it a top-tier choice for travellers worldwide. The folks over at UK-based travel booking site Travelbag seem to agree, as they've just listed Tokyo as one of the top destinations for evening tourism in their ranking of the most beautiful cities come sundown. Responding to growing interest in nighttime tourism, Travelbag compiled the ranking by evaluating factors such as Instagram hashtag volume, light pollution levels, safety after dark, and the number of late-night venues across cities worldwide. On their list of the ten most beautiful long-haul cities (as seen from the UK, presumably) at night, Tokyo came in at number two, trailing only New York City. According to the survey, Tokyo is a great place to spend an evening thanks to its lively alleyways like Shinjuku's Golden Gai, a plethora of local izakaya, and a stunning cityscape that blends futuristic lights with traditional aesthetics. Tokyo was also praised for its plethora of options when it comes to hanging out at night, with nearly 1,000 venues open late into the evening. Additionally, the city scored a respectable 75 out of 100 for its nighttime safety. Along with Tokyo, Kyoto made the list in sixth place. The old capital doesn't have nearly as many late-night venues, with just over 110 spots, but it scored impressively high on the safety scale, earning an 83 out of 100. Here's the full top ten ranking: New York City, USA Tokyo, Japan Dubai, UAE Singapore, Singapore Muscat, Oman Kyoto, Japan Sydney, Australia Seoul, South Korea Toronto, Canada Melbourne, Australia For more information on the ranking, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo The Fuji Rock timetable for 2025 is here The timetable for Summer Sonic 2025 is out now 4 Tokyo bars named in the World's 50 Best Bars 2025 list Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition
Time Out
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
4 Tokyo bars named in the World's 50 Best Bars 2025 list
The 2025 list of Asia's 50 Best Bars has just been unveiled – and this year, Tokyo finally sees some fresh faces making their debut on the prestigious list. Announced at an award ceremony in Macau on July 15, this year's ranking features 20 brand-new entries spanning 23 locales across Asia. The honour of Tokyo's highest ranking bar goes to Hiroyasu Kayama's Bar Benfiddich in Shinjuku, which claimed ninth place. Another recurring name on the list is Virtù at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, coming in at No 18. Joining these familiar favourites are two Tokyo bars making their debut on this year's list. Sitting at No 36 is Punch Room Tokyo, located inside The Tokyo Edition, Ginza. This bar is renowned for its punch cocktails reimagined with Japanese spirits and flavours and served in elegant bowls for sharing. Additionally, Bar Libre in Ikebukuro just made the cut, securing the No 49 spot. A fixture in the city for 14 years, the bar continues to attract discerning imbibers with its unpretentious atmosphere and inventive cocktails crafted with Japanese ingredients. The only other bars in Japan to make the list were Kumamoto's Yakoboku (No 25) and Lamp Bar (No 46) in Nara. Together, these bars continue to fly the flag for Japan's top-tier cocktail culture beyond Tokyo. To see the full list of Asia's 50 best bars, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo The Fuji Rock timetable for 2025 is here The timetable for Summer Sonic 2025 is out now
Time Out
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Time Out Tokyo summer–autumn 2025 issue out now: 24-hour city
With our ultimate round-the-clock guide to the capital, you'll be able to plan the perfect day – and night – in Tokyo. From wolfing down a bowl of super-fresh seafood before sunrise to embarking on an all-night indie club crawl or soaking in an open-air hot spring at 3am, we've got you covered with brilliant things to do at every hour. Hungry for something different? You're in the right place: Tokyo is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest food cities, and serves as a culinary melting pot where innovative chefs showcase their distinctive and imaginative interpretations of cuisines from around the world. From flawlessly crafted pizzas to boundary-pushing Peruvian cuisine, we've rounded up the best international restaurants to experience in Tokyo right now. Fruit picking and vegetable harvesting experiences are available outside the city year-round, but are an especially alluring escape from sweltering central Tokyo in the summer. In the mag you'll find our favourite family-friendly farms for crop picking – all within easy reach of the city. Ah, go-go boys. What's not to love? These professional dancers elevate the energy of any event where they perform, LGBTQ+-related or otherwise. But who are these Adonises when they aren't shaking their stuff on stage? We profile some of the city's best performers. Heading to Fuji Rock this summer? Check out our festival preview, complete with a guide to the acts you definitely shouldn't miss and an interview with Australian electro-poppers Confidence Man. Pick up your FREE copy of Time Out Tokyo magazine at Haneda and Narita airports as well as selected hotels and tourist information centres in Tokyo. You can also check out the digital edition below, or read the magazine here or on Kindle Unlimited.
