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Japan Times
2 hours 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
6 days ago
- 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
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Find out what acts to catch where and when with our quick look at the full festival timetable
The wait is over: Fuji Rock Festival organisers have published the official timetable for 2025. The announcement comes after a big two weeks of final line-up drops for each of the four major stages: Green Stage, Red Marquee, White Stage, and Field of Heaven. Also announced today was the introduction of the brand-new Orange Echo stage and this year's Rookie A Go Go showcasing artists. With 12 stages and over 200 acts performing, including headliners like Fred Again, Tatsuro Yamashita, Haim and Vampire Weekend, there was bound to be a handful of clashes for eager festival-goers – but it looks like organisers have tried to mitigate some of the worst overlaps this year. The Pyramid Garden Yoga workshop will be kicking off the festival at 8.30am on Friday, with Finnish five-piece US opening the Green Stage at 11am. Conversely, for anyone looking to start the day with a manic bang, Kyoto's Otoboke Beaver will be opening the White Stage at 12.10pm, and Ecca Vandal will follow them up on the same stage shortly after. Tokyo-based hardcore outfit Brahman will take to the Green Stage from 3pm, with Ichiko Aoba performing at the Red Marquee from 4pm. Headlining the Green Stage on Friday night are Vaundy at 7pm and Fred Again at 9.10pm. Heading up the Red Marquee and White stages on Friday night are OK GO, Suchmos, Perfume Genius and Tycho. Hiroko Yamamura will be closing out Planet Groove (Red Marquee's Friday late-night programming) from 3am until 5am. Kicking off the second day of the festival at 11am will be Argentinian hip hop duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso on the Green Stage and Basque rock artist and cofounder of Kortatu, Fermin Muguruza, on the White Stage just after midday. As the temperature rises (or the rain falls, whichever way the weather decides to go), Irish indie quartet Newdad will head to the Red Marquee at 4pm, with the Ska Flames at Field of Heaven just after 5pm. At night, Ginger Root will kick things into gear on the Red Marquee at 6pm, and James Blake, Tatsuro Yamashita and Vulfpeck will close the Green Stage. Into the wee hours, Fourtet finishes up at the White Stage just as Australia's Confidence Man kick-starts the late-night programming at Tribal Circus from 11.30pm. Pasocon Music Club will wrap things up there from 4am. For better or worse, bleary eyes will awake to the sounds of bagpipes with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers opening the Green Stage at 11am on Sunday. Shortly after, Tokyo indie artists will be setting the tone for the rest of the day with She Her Her Hers at Field of Heaven from 11.30am and Mono no Aware opening the White Stage from 12.30pm. Later on, Grace Bowers will be heading to the Field of Heaven shortly after 3pm, and English quartet English Teacher will make their debut Fuji Rock appearance at the Red Marquee at 4pm. The Hives at Red Marquee clash directly with Tokyo's Hitsuji Bungaku on the White Stage at 8.10pm. Closing out the Green Stage on the final night will be Vampire Weekend at 9.10pm. Haim's White Stage closing set was pushed back by 20 minutes this year to 10.20pm to avoid too much overlap. For those making the most of the final night, international festival newcomer Atsuo the Pineapple Donkey will feature in Red Marquee's late-night Sunday Session from 2.35am, with Osaka DJ collective Fullhouse wrapping things up there from 3.30am. Lastly, this year's Rookie A Go Go announcement includes Tokyo-based indie five-piece Yubiori, hip-hop duo EMNW, and underground rock-n-rollers Self-Destruction. The new Orange Echo stage is set to feature up-and-coming artists from around Asia, including Okinawa indie trio Home, Thailand's Yonlapa and South Korean artist Kim Oki. For this year's full Fuji Rock timetable, including stages like Crystal Palace, Naeba Shokudo and Blue Galaxy, head to the Fuji Rock festival website.
