Outdoor Music Festival "hoshioto Camp'23" ~ "The Best Music Under the Best Starry Sky" From Excitement to Regional Revitalization

When it comes to outdoor music festivals held in Japan, the name that comes to mind is the well-known 'FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL' (hereafter referred to as Fuji Rock).

So, what about a completely independent local outdoor music festival held in Okayama...?

For those who may not yet know, I would like to introduce 'hoshioto' (ホシオト), held every May in Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture.

I spoke with the organizer, Fujii Yuushi (藤井裕士), about the upcoming 'hoshioto Camp’23' (ホシオト キャンプ), which will be held in October 2023, and the background leading up to the event.

Overview of the outdoor music festival 'hoshioto'

'hoshioto' is a local outdoor music festival that is completely independent and community-oriented.

Since 2012, we have been holding this festival in the beautiful starry town of Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture, with the concept of "the best music under the best starry sky."
In 2017, we moved to the current venue, the Budou Roman-kan in Aono-cho, Ibara City, aiming to create a festival that is easy for families, individuals, and friends to participate in.
Not only music, but also a kids' area, workshops, and food stalls are abundant, and camping is also possible.

From the official hoshioto website "What’s hoshioto?"

There were years when the festival was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have overcome such difficulties and have now entered our 12th year as an independent festival.

My encounter with hoshioto

I usually listen to music all the time using streaming services and go to a few solo concerts of my favorite artists each year, so I consider myself a music lover.

However, despite being a self-proclaimed music lover, I had never participated in an outdoor music festival until I encountered 'hoshioto', although I was interested.

The reasons were that it was far, expensive... accommodation... transportation costs... my children are small... I made excuses and only watched the live streams on YouTube.

One day, while surfing the internet on a ticketing site, I stumbled upon information about the outdoor music festival 'hoshioto' in Okayama.

When I saw the lineup of artists, I was thrilled to find that a band I loved enough to attend their concert outside the prefecture the previous year was coming.

Thinking that I might never have the chance to see them in Okayama again, I decided to go immediately.

Experiencing “heaven” at the outdoor music festival

On the day of the festival, I had very low expectations, wondering "What kind of outdoor music festival is this in Okayama?" but I didn't plan to stay long.

Honestly, I was even thinking of just watching my favorite artists and leaving.

However, there was an unexpected situation waiting for me there.

On the mountain in Ibara, the quality is incredibly high

There are six special stages set up within the venue.

I was overwhelmed by the seriousness of the sound equipment, which seemed capable of accommodating any artist, as evidenced by the rehearsal atmosphere.

Moreover, from the entrance onwards, the decorations that adorn the forest are stylish and well thought out.

There is also a space for small children to play.

Delicious food stalls are lined up, so you won't have to worry about being hungry.

Blessed with good weather and surrounded by sparkling fresh greenery, everyone is smiling, enjoying music at their own pace, relaxing in hammocks in the shade of trees, children running around, and the faint melodies and happy cheers echoing from all around the forest...

In this overwhelmingly extraordinary space, I felt as if I were in heaven.

Purely surrendering to “music”

And it is also a space where you can freely just enjoy “music”.

Even if you are not a fan or do not know the artists, I learned that there is something to be gained just by purely surrendering to the music.

Whether it was due to the outdoor environment or the energy of the artists, I naturally felt inclined to engage with any genre.

The miracle of being able to experience these moments in Okayama, a heaven that you can reach without spending on transportation or accommodation...!

'hoshioto Camp’23' scheduled for October 28, 2023 (Saturday)!

A slightly more relaxed concept of 'hoshioto Camp '23' will be held on October 28, 2023 (Saturday).

'hoshioto Camp' is in its third year in 2023.

Originally, it started as a comeback for the May 'hoshioto' that was canceled for two years in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, held in October 2021.

According to Fujii Yuushi, the representative of 'hoshioto', "When we tried it, the weather was really nice and comfortable, and since it’s October, the sunsets are early, so you can see a lot of stars earlier than at the May 'hoshioto'."

The starry sky is amazing, so camping is recommended, but it’s not necessary!

Camping is not a requirement; you can simply come to enjoy the event.

"Since the number of stages is limited, rather than listening to music intensely, I hope people can enjoy a leisurely and relaxed experience of the extraordinary.

A star guide known as a star messenger will also be present, and we are planning discussions about music and a talk show featuring a leading expert in festival research.

Many people come alone, as well as friends and families, and everyone spends their time in their own way.

You can eat food, enjoy things other than music, and time will fly by" (Fujii-san).

On the day of the event, you can drive there, but there will also be shuttle buses from Ibara Station on the Ibara Railway (no reservation needed) and from JR Fukuyama Station (reservation required).

By the way, who is Fujii Yuushi, the representative of 'hoshioto'? I conducted an interview to uncover the secret.

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