noNexistent nothiNg: love life

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The Soul of Summer - Fujirock Festival 2025

Where mountains sing, strangers become family, and music melts into mist

The Naeba Ski Resort in July is a study in alchemical transformation. By winter, it’s a snow-laden wonderland; by summer, it becomes Japan’s sacred ground for music pilgrims.

As I stepped off at the Echigo-Yuzawa Station—the 90-minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo already feeling like a ritual—I felt it again: that tingling sense of homecoming . This wasn’t just a festival. It was a reunion with a valley that breathes music.

The Stage Is Set: Mountains, Music, and Mist

Fuji Rock’s irony is legendary: it hasn’t been near Mount Fuji since 1997. After a typhoon-battered debut, it found its forever home in Naeba’s emerald embrace. Here, the Dragondola gondola; the world’s longest) soars over forests, stages nestle between rivers, and the air hums with anticipation. With 12 stages hosting 200+ artists, the 2025 lineup was a masterclass in curation:

- Fred Again (Green Stage, Friday) opened with seismic waves of electronic soul

- Vampire Weekend (Green Stage, Sunday) closed with sun-drenched indie anthems

- RADWIMPS (Green Stage, Saturday) fused rock with orchestral grandeur

- Field of Heaven, my sanctuary, hosted Ezra Collective’s jazz explosions and Ego-Wrappin' ’s smoky reveries

💡 Pro Tip: The Red Marquee hosts secret raves until 5 AM. Follow the neon glow.

The Real Magic: The Fuji Rock “Tribe”

I’ve traveled to festivals worldwide, but nowhere breeds connection like Fuji Rock. This year, our ragtag crew—forged via Jimmy’s legendary WhatsApp group—became a microcosm of the festival’s spirit:

- David, (a LA Dad): Our “den father,” handing out anecdotes and dad jokes in equal measure with his ready helping hand and a camera

- Amman & Sam (Malaysia/Spain BAs): Masters of crowd navigation. Sam’s “conquest chronicles” (a la Jimmy Olsen) fueled late-night laughs, while Amman cracked us up with quips.

- Sooyeon & Ashley (California Design/Dentistry Duo): drew our crew and kept our smiles bright—literally.

- Mai (Tokyo): Our “Golden Ticket” guru. She’s stayed at Naeba Prince Hotel for 8 years straight via lottery wins. Her genuineness was priceless.

- Mark (Canadian Teacher): A fellow music nerd, kept the conversation alive with meditation and etymology and NewDay supply runs

- Evan (British Exchange student) : Another kindred spirit and a festivals nomad, with a cute smile and kind eyes, happily regaled with music stories and helpfully lent me his power bank

- Iresha (an Australian startup techie) : a fellow boarder at the mountain cabin, with whom i shared stories on kangaroo fights and dating perils. Very kindly tagged my teen along on a shuttle

- Jimmy (Festival Patriarch): Admin of the 100+ member Reddit/WhatsApp community. His 15-year Fuji Rock streak is a masterclass in joyful curation.

We were architects, dentists, students, nomads, bankers - united by Naeba’s pulse.

A Mother’s Moment:

As a solo parent, am always bracing for teenage eye-rolls. Instead, my 15- year-old was absorbed into the fold with breathtaking grace . Sam and Clara hung around with him. When crowd packed the White Stage on Saturday, David materialized to get him to the group, “Dads instincts”. At 2 AM, as the Red Marquee throbbed and I was catching a shut eye in the car, the group just took care of him, treated him as one, ribbed him for being tallest and youngest with a kid’s wristband. No ask, just instinct.

This is Fuji Rock’s secret sauce: communal care. It’s why 17,000+ camp on golf-course-turned-campsites, ship tents ahead, or book lodges years early. You’re never truly alone here.

Survival Secrets & Spiritual Sustenance

Logistics matter in this mountain paradise:

- Sleep : Camp (¥5,000) for camaraderie, or book now for 2026 lodges (Mitsumata/Shuttle Stop 3 is quieter).

- Eat : Follow the curry bread scent to “Oasis”—30+ global food stalls. The Hokkaido crab soup revived me daily.

- Move : Shinkansen + shuttle bus (¥6,790 + ¥2,000) beats traffic. Parking is ¥5,000/day.

- Pack : Waterproof boots (mud is biblical), reusable bottle (free water stations), and an open heart.

But beyond practicality lies something sacred :

- Soak your feet in Kaikake Onsen’s hot springs as the sun sets.

- Wander the “Crystal Palace” woods for impromptu DJ sets.

- Dance barefoot in the creek near Field of Heaven while Galactic’s horns echo.

Why Fuji Rock, Indeed?

In a world of hyper-curated festivals, Fuji Rock remains wild, organic, defiantly human. It’s where:

- Sustainability isn’t buzzword—it’s policy (“cleanest festival” ethos).

- Kids under 15 enter free because music is birthright.

- Rain becomes a bonding agent, mud a badge of honour.

As T.S. Eliot wrote, “To make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

As I hugged Jimmy and the others goodbye at 3:30 am on 28th Jul, under the red and green of Crystal Palace; already plotting 2026—I realized this valley doesn’t just host music. It weaves temporary families from Tokyo commuters, Malaysian analysts, Spanish ‘chick magnets’; California dentists and Graphic Designers and Canadian teachers.

We arrived strangers. We left as keepers of a shared story, written in guitar riffs, downpours, and the stubborn belief that joy is best multiplied

Fuji Rock doesn’t just rock. It reverberates in your bones.

Whispers of Resurrection

Alchemizing

my hunger into holiness

my sanity into sinfulness

What if the answer

isn’t in endings,

but in the quiet bloom of beginnings?

Not in tearing apart,

but weaving together—

a tapestry

where all the gods meet,

their love spilling

into the soil of our souls,

birthing myths

we’ve yet to imagine

Do you feel the stars

holding their breath,

as we dare to wish upon them?

Do they wait,

trembling in their brilliance,

to see if we’ll rise

to meet our own dreams?

Do you think the universe

leans closer,

its vastness folding

into our fragile hearts?

Cinnamon Memories

We drift into memories,

even as we weave them,

threads of stardust …

Listen to this, and this one here ,

I love them, and I know you would too

And this one is a definite must

Playlists hum on shuffle,

songs spilling like secrets,

vibes whispered in texts,

melodies floating like petals

caught in the amber sunset

Stars blink awake,

their laughter

Soft as snowflake

filling up the night

And the world feels

just right

It Shuffles again

With a mind without a rein

Run on algorithm,

the LED pulses blue

like a heartbeat in the dark

Every note, a sepia tinted hue

Riding the constellation in an ark

The air grows heavy, with unsung dream,

Laughter spilling like a summer stream,

Squeals of wonder, of silly delight,

Caught in the halo of magic headlight

We fall back on memories, without a break,

Of our fingers tracing constellations

maps, we never meant to make

Hand in hand,

we traipse through unnamed skies

Days of conversations

Only with our eyes

Lifetimes wrapped

in sparkling moments,

Tiny treasures in my palm,

Fireflies

glowing in the midnight’s calm

Talking to the Moon

In the quiet hours when the moon's a sliver,

I sit with tea, my thoughts begin to quiver.

Confetti like emails and the deadline awaits,

Whilst my mind flirts with celestial fates

A half-remembered dream from last night’s show, did I dance with shadows, moving slow?

Talking to the moon, again…

I ponder its rise and fall,

Echoes caught in a crystal ball

Passionate flames now flicker dim,

The amber fades on a whim

But oh! The beauty in this gentle decline,

Hanging low caught in a twine

And as it pulls tides and hearts alike,

I’ll raise my cup to the waning night.

Quinceanero!

As the clock strikes midnight, and the stars twinkle like scattered diamonds across the velvet sky, a new chapter unfolds in your life. Today, you turn 15—a number that dances in the air, shimmering with possibilities and dreams yet to be realized.

In this enchanted moment, I want you to know how proud I am of the person you are becoming. Each year, you grow not just in age but in wisdom, kindness, and spirit. You possess a unique magic that lights up our lives, much like the fireflies that flicker in the twilight, illuminating the path ahead.

Fifteen is not just an age; it’s a portal to adventure. Imagine stepping into a world where dreams take flight on the wings of imagination. Embrace this time with open arms, for it is filled with whispers of new opportunities and the sweet scent of discovery.

As you journey through this year, remember that it’s perfectly fine to chase after your wildest dreams. Mistakes are merely stepping stones sprinkled along your path—each one a lesson wrapped in mystery, guiding you toward your true self.

I cherish every moment we share—those late-night conversations where we weave tales of wonder and laughter that echo through our home like a gentle breeze. Your nonstop nerdy chatter on subjects, ideas you are passionate about. Your goofing around and your moodiness. All of these - the glorious shades of colours create a beautiful kaleidoscope of my life.

Your laughter is a melody that dances through the air, enchanting everyone around you.

Be You and continue to be the best version of you! Chase dreams, build friendships, make mistakes, embrace all your shades.

Live! Every moment!

Happy 15th, My Heart!

Fuji Rock Festival 2024: A Journey Through Music, Memories, and Magic

Nestled in the lush, verdant embrace of Naeba Ski Resort, Fuji Rock Festival 2024 promised an unforgettable blend of music, nostalgia, and serendipity. As the sun dipped below the horizon on July 26th, the air was charged with an electric anticipation. The festival, now in its 25th year at Naeba, had grown into a pilgrimage for music lovers, a place where memories were made and cherished.

The journey to Fuji Rock began with a scenic train ride from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, a 90-minute escape from the urban sprawl into the heart of nature. We picked our rental right outside the station. Driving through the twists and turns of Naeba - exhausted and excited and a wee bit hangry looking for food; before the opening ceremony was a prelude to the adventure, that awaited.

On Day 1, the sprawling festival site unfolded like a dreamscape. The main entrance, adorned with vibrant banners and the hum of activity, welcomed us into a world where time seemed to stand still. The first day's headliner, The Killers, had replaced Sza, setting the stage for an explosive start.

As I wandered through the labyrinthine paths of the festival, I encountered a tapestry of characters, each adding a unique thread to the festival's rich fabric. There was Hiroshi, a local from Niigata, who had attended every Fuji Rock since its inception. His stories of past festivals, of rain-soaked nights and sun-drenched days, painted a vivid picture of the festival's evolution.

Then there was Marie, a Norwegian backpacker, her eyes wide with wonder at her first Fuji Rock. She spoke of her love for Girl in Red, one of the up-and-coming artists performing this year. We bonded over our shared excitement for the weekend ahead, promising to meet up later for her set.

The vibe at Fuji Rock was a harmonious blend of tranquility and exhilaration. The festival's commitment to sustainability was evident everywhere, from the biodiesel-powered Gypsy Avalon stage to the eco-friendly food stalls. The air was filled with the scent of diverse cuisines, tantalizing the senses as we navigated through the food areas.

The stages themselves were a marvel. The Green Stage, the heart of the festival, was a sprawling expanse where headliners like Kraftwerk and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds would perform. The smaller stages, each with their unique charm, offered intimate experiences with artists like Erika de Casier and Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

Music at Fuji Rock was a journey through genres and emotions. Kraftwerk's performance was a mesmerizing blend of techno-pop and visual artistry, their pioneering sound resonating with the crowd. Turnstile's energetic set had the audience in a frenzy, while Yussef Dayes' jazz rhythms provided a soulful interlude.

One of the standout moments was Angie McMahon's set at the White Stage. Her raw, emotive voice cut through the evening air, leaving the audience spellbound. As she sang "Slow Mover," I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me, memories of past loves and lost moments surfacing with each note.

As night fell, the festival grounds transformed into a realm of enchantment. The Pyramid Garden, with its candle-lit installations and serene ambiance, became a haven for those seeking a moment of quiet reflection. It was here that I met Yuki, a fellow music lover with a shared passion for the ethereal sounds of Floating Points.

I made friends of strangers; our conversations flowing as effortlessly as the music around us. There was a magical quality to our connection, a sense of serendipity that only Fuji Rock could conjure. As we watched the fireworks light up the night sky, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for this unexpected romance of the moments.

The second day's lineup promised a diverse array of performances, from the psychedelic sounds of Yin Yin to the bluesy riffs of Christone "Kingfish" Ingram.

One of the highlights was the surprise performance at the Naeba Shokudo stage. Junji Ikehata, leading the Naeba Ongaku Totsugekitai, delivered an electrifying set that had the audience dancing with abandon. The intimate setting of the Shokudo stage, combined with the infectious energy of the performers, made for a truly memorable experience.

Fuji Rock was as much about the people as it was about the music. I met Hana, a Tokyo-based artist who had created a series of installations for the festival. Her work, inspired by the natural beauty of Naeba, added a layer of artistic depth to the festival experience. We spent an afternoon exploring the art installations, our conversations drifting from the creative process to the transformative power of music.

Then there was Tom, an expat from London who had made Japan his home. His love for Fuji Rock was infectious, his stories of past festivals filled with laughter and nostalgia. Together, we navigated the bustling OASIS area, sampling the diverse culinary offerings and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.

As the festival drew to a close, a sense of nostalgia began to settle in. The final day's performances were a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of these moments. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds delivered a powerful set. Ride at Red Marquee was a surprising gratification with their anthems and Oasis cover echoing through the mountains and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

One of the most poignant moments was Rufus Wainwright's performance at the White Stage. His hauntingly beautiful voice, combined with the picturesque backdrop of the Naeba mountains, created a moment of pure magic. As he sang "Going to a Town," I felt a deep connection to the music, a sense of shared experience with everyone around me.

As the final notes of the festival faded into the night, there was a collective sense of gratitude and fulfillment. Fuji Rock 2024 had been a journey through music, memories, and magic, a celebration of the human spirit and our shared love for the arts.

The people I had met, the music that had moved me, and the moments of unexpected romance and connection all blended into a tapestry of memories that I would carry with me.

Fuji Rock Festival 2024 was more than just a music festival; it was a celebration of life, a reminder of the beauty of human connection and the power of music to bring us together. As I left Naeba, I carried slivers of the people I had met, the music that had moved me, and the moments of unexpected romance and connection all blended into a tapestry of memories.

I knew that I would return, drawn back by the promise of new adventures and the enduring magic of Fuji Rock.