Choosing the Right Shoes to Wear for the Fuji Rock Festival

The Fuji Rock Festival is just around the corner! I hope all of you are excited and getting ready.
For those of you who may be wondering what kind of shoes would be good to wear for the festival, I would like to share some of my experiences with you!

Fuji Rock is held primarily on the expansive grounds of the Naeba Ski Resort. Although the grounds have gotten better compared to the past, the puddles and streams form when it rains, and tree branches and pebbles fall on the pathways under the trees.
It feels nice to walk in this wonderful wilderness away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the music that plays everywhere, but the more you walk, the more tired you get.
Anyway, there is a lot of information available just by doing a simple Google search these days, but if you’re interested in the shoes I’ve been wearing since my first visit to Fuji Rock over twenty years ago, check out this article.↓

Casual sneakers

These are what I wore when I first went to this festival. Not a sports sneaker, but leather sneakers that I would normally wear while walking in the city. I think I chose these because I wanted something I was comfortable wearing. Although I didn’t have any problem walking in them, the flat bottoms made the arches of my feet tired. And once it rained, they were out. They got really muddy and the rain easily soaked into them. Then they took a long time to dry and I think they were still slightly wet the next day... I do not recommend these.

Sports sneakers

Based on the mistakes I made the first time I went, I wore these the following year. They were much easier to walk in than regular sneakers, and they were breathable and very comfortable on sunny days. However, they did not protect my feet from the heavy rain... I chose sneakers with soft soles, so it was a little difficult to walk on bumpy roads.

Gardening rubber boots (emphasis on appearance)

This was before the Wild Bird Society of Japan rubber boots became popular. Back then, I often saw people wearing colorful boots, so I imitated them and got myself a pair. Puddles after a downpour did not bother me at all, and I could clear the wet rice paddy conditions without any difficulty. But, the inside of the boots got so hot and sweaty! My feet got all pruney! The boots did not hold my ankles properly and the boots were too heavy and tiring to wear. The edges of the boots hit my shins and left marks and my feet hurt. Not good. I don’t recommend these.

Outdoor amphibious shoes

After my failed attempt at wearing boots, I went with these. The soles are thick, comfortable, and easy to walk in. They are especially comfortable on sunny days, and I could even walk in the river with them. However, twigs and pebbles sometimes fell into the gaps and it hurt. They were okay to wear in the rain, but my feet got very cold. Also, the mud and stagnant water from puddles at the venue directly touching my skin got kind of gross...

Waterproof hiking shoes
(low-cut type)

These outdoor brand shoes are made of GORE-TEX fabric, a waterproof and breathable material. The thick soles make it easy to walk on uneven terrain, and the breathability is excellent. However, the downpour at Naeba was out. The water soaked through my ankles and soaked my socks...
(By the way, recently there are breathable waterproof socks, and I am curious about them.)

Waterproof trail shoes
(ankle type)

These are also made of waterproof breathable fabric and come up to the ankles. Most of them are lightweight for light trail hiking. Above all, they were easy to walk on mountain paths and uneven terrains! They are also completely safe to wear in downpours and in some deep puddles. If they get muddy, you can wash just the outside while wearing them, and they are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I have settled on these as my main pair and they are still my favorite. Many people in the venue wore these as well.

Wild Bird Society of Japan Bird Watching Boots
(+ expensive insoles)

These have become a festival staple. The “B” in the logo is in the shape of a little bird and is very cute. I also bring a pair for protection against downpours. Compared to regular boots, the ankle part fits more snugly, giving a sense of hold and making it easier to walk. They are made of rubber, so they get a little stuffy, but when it is hot, you can fold them down to an ankle-length while wearing them. Quite a few people wear them this way. The soles are thin and lack cushioning, but this is not a problem if you use insoles that support the soles well. The more expensive the insoles, the better.
When there are deep puddles, such as during a downpour or the day after a downpour, boots are still the strongest, so I use them along with my trail shoes.

Here’s some good news! We are getting ankle length bird watching boots in stock very soon!
They’ll be here just in time for Fuji Rock! The quantity is limited, so if you’re interested, you’ll have to get them soon(^-^)

⇒ List of Bird Watching Boots (Ankle Length)

Review

• High-top waterproof trail shoes are recommended for those who want to stabilize their walking on rough surfaces & reduce luggage.
• For those who want to use different shoes for sunny days and rainy days, wear sports shoes with thick soles for easy walking OR a combination of hiking sandals from any outdoor brand + Japan Wild Bird Society Bird Watching Boots.
• If you have new shoes, wear them before the festival to break them in (+ step on them to soften them)
• If you don’t want to buy expensive trail shoes to wear for only one day, this might be a good opportunity to start hiking as a hobby!
• Wild Bird Society of Japan Bird Watching boots can also be bought at Sound House.

That’s all for now!

⇒ Wild Bird Society of Japan Bird Watching Boots