I went to Asagiri JAM.

2023-11-13

The 2023 Asagiri JAM has ended, marking the conclusion of this year’s music festival season for me.
This year’s Asagiri JAM was about two weeks later than usual (October 21 & 22). Due to a strong cold front, it got quite chilly once the sun set, but I was well-prepared with my gears for cold weather, so it was no problem at all. Moreover, it didn’t rain at all during the event and we enjoyed clear skies with crisp, refreshing air! The snow-capped Mt. Fuji was also perfectly visible!! ↓

At the Fumotoppara campsite where I stayed, the temperature dropped down to around 1°C at dawn, but my down sleeping bag kept me warm and I slept very well. Reflecting on past Asagiri JAMs, I think this time I was the most comfortable in terms of weather.

Of course, I enjoyed the live performances and indulged in the festival food. My personal favorites were BADBADNOTGOOD, Kassa Overall, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, and Quruli! (Please Google for more details on the artists☆)

Here are some of the festival foods I had this time:

Tororo Rice (Naeba Shokudo)

Salt-Grilled Rainbow Trout (Chisan-Ya)

Homemade Hot Lemon Ginger Te(Peterpan Café)

I also had a can of beer after setting up the tent (delicious)

I also enjoyed Stew Rice (Kogen no Stew-Ya), Yasakura Dango (Chisan-Ya), Fujinomiya Yakisoba (Yuguchi), Motsu Curry (Horaiya), and Cheese-Covered Steak (Ushizuma Cheese Factory). Everything was excellent.

Festivals aren’t just for hot weather, so here are some tips for staying warm outdoors. These might also be useful when watching sports games in winter!

Before heading from the tent to the venue, boil some water and make hot tea to take in a thermos. Warm drinks are a lifesaver in the cold. Hot wine or hot sangria are also highly recommended. They warm you up instantly!

Wild Bird Society of Japan / Original Bottle - Hawks (Navy)

Put this in your sleeping bag before bed and it’ll keep you toasty warm. Pure bliss. Goodnight in three seconds.

LOGOS / Anywhere Soft Hot Water Bottle - Rectangular

For those still worried about the cold, here is a portable power supply available for electric blankets! (Made to order)

JVC / BN-RB37-C Portable Power Supply

Keep your lower back and bottom warm. Essential if you spend a lot of time sitting outdoors.

LOGOS / Flame-Retardant Bucket Chair Cover (Navy)

By the way, this year I left for this event the night before, taking breaks and naps at highway rest areas along the way. The next morning, the sunrise over Mt. Fuji was breathtakingly beautiful. Leaving early on the day of the event is fine, but a leisurely overnight journey is also recommended.

That’s all! See you next year!

ITO

フェス好きが高じてフェスグッズの取り扱い始めました。フジロックは2001年から通っています。2024年マイベストはCaribou @ 朝霧JAM & O-East、次いでFKJ @ 豊洲PITです。どちらも最高すぎました。あとフジロックでThe Killers見れて良かった。とある大学の研究者たちが行った調査によると、LIVEに定期的に足を運ぶと人生の総体的な幸福度が増す傾向にあるそうです。確かに。