20 Shots from Fuji Rock.

Fuji Rock was definitely the highlight of summer for me in Japan. Can’t say it was the most raging festival I’ve ever been to (in fact it was the cleanest, most organised, relaxed and mellow festival I’ve ever seen (plenty of sleeping going on!!).

For 120,000 people crammed together in a muddy valley it was a nice contrast to other festivals I’ve been to which would have been A LOT messier. I can’t imagine convincing 120,000 people at home to separate their rubbish on the way to see their favourite band! – Are you serious!? Wow, Awesome.

Thanks to Cezar who lent me his Nikon F5 and 80mm prime for the festival – (rain, mud, party and 120,000 people…that’s trust!)

The festival is held in the Naeba Ski Resort and winds it’s way through The Naeba Valley which is stunning! Stages are linked by wooden walk ways meandering through cedar forests and 3m wide dirt (mud) paths that somehow slide thousands of people in two directions simultaneously. The most difficult thing was picking your way between the sleeping bodies littered across the entire festival. No place is too loud, too rocky, too muddy or too close to the main paths for a quick nap!

Highlight Band that I didn’t know before – Boom Boom Satellites. All time! Check em out.

5 ways to look like a rookie when first attending Fuji Rock.
1. Actually try and carry your tent, gear and esky (‘cooler’ – sorry about the slang) to your camp site while EVERYONE else cruises past with purpose made trollys.

2. Buy A LOT of heavy beer, ice and food and pack your esky full before trying to carry it up the hill to your camp site.

3. Neglect to bring your colour co-ordinated waterproof tracksuit.

4. Sleep in your tent – not in the festival, it’s easy to get this the wrong way around.

5. Arrive late and sleep on a 45 degree slope or in the lakes that form at the bottom of the camping slope.