Introduction

Hello. I'm Miki Ishida, running the rock bar 'Cult' in Gondo, Nagano City.

Aiming to be a place where people who love music, film, art, and theater can gather, we opened the store in 2022 and have also been involved in planning live performances and organizing events.

We are pleased to announce that the long-held outdoor music festival, "Hijiri Highland Fes," will be held for the first time in Hijiri Kogen, Omi Village, Nagano Prefecture. We sincerely appreciate your support.

What the “Hijiri Highland Fes” is?

In 1989, Japan's leading garage punk event, "BACK FROM THE GRAVE (BFTG)" was born at the live house JAM in Tokyo. For the past 37 years, they have built a music culture where "anyone can participate" and "no hierarchy." This legendary event will land in Hijiri Kogen, Nagano Prefecture. That is the "Hijiri Highland Fes."

BFTG, which has passionate fans overseas, and bands and DJs based in Nagano, gather under the highland sky—that is “Hijiri Highland Fes”. 

Date and Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11:00–20:00

Venue: Hijiri Kogen (5887-1 Asa, Omi Village, Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture)

Admission: Advance 5,000 yen / Door 6,000 yen (free for high school students and younger)

Through crowdfunding, we offer some plans that include admission tickets and various other benefits!

Details: Live stage / DJ booth / Food & drinks / Market area

Access: Shuttle bus service available from JR Hijiri Kogen Station

Organizer: Hijiri Highland Fes Executive Committee

Supported by: Omi Village Tourism Association

BANDS
・Guitar Wolf
・JETBOYS
・The Great Mongoose
・THE TITANS
・Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass
・THE LET'S GO's
・THE BOING
・THE CHEATSTEALS（Nagano）
・Anata To Watashi (Nagano)

DJ
・Daddy-O-Nov
・Jimmy Mashiko
・Suga Jun
・Bisco
・Kentucky Matsue
・Buddy Ito
・Godzilla Oyabun　　and more...

There will also be food and beverage booths planned to be set up. For more details, check out Cult Instagram. 
https://www.instagram.com/cult.1028/

Homage to the main act, Guitar Wolf

As you know, Guitar Wolf is an alien who came from the Wolf Planet.

They came to Earth and started a rock band.  What exactly is the purpose of coming to Earth? I observed with fascination. I watched live performances and also watched the movie "WiLD ZERO," in which they appeared. It seems certain that he is an alien.

In March 2023, together with his friend JIN-kun, he planned and finally held a cult rock class called "ROCK'N ROLL JET SCHOOL" led by Guitar Wolf Seiji.

A large pickup truck was parked right in front of the Bar CULT, and its long, slender legs fell from the door to the ground! It didn't come with a UFO, ha ha.

Finally, Seiji has come to my bar!  I was so excited I felt like I was about to break through the ceiling and soar into the sky!

Once you meet him, you'll be captivated by its charm.

It's not just coolness—it's full of boyish purity and a spirit of service that cares for customers and friends.

If rock classes and live shows get lively, he'll do whatever he can!

...Before I knew it, everyone of all genders had fallen for Seiji.

And excitedly, six months later, in September 2023, we brought “Guitar Wolf” to Nagano! Meeting “Guitar Wolf” led to a connection with Backfrom. And after three years, it became the turning point to take on this major project.

In July 2026, they will head back to Nagano again! Are the inhabitants of Wolf Planet coming to Hijiri Highland riding UFOs?!

How Music Changed My Lives, and the Rock Bar Cult.   by Miki Ishida

Here, let me share a little of my own story leading up to holding this festival.

I love music since childhood, I was deeply impressed by her older brother's classmates, who had techno-cut styles, Kansai Yamamoto, and YMO styles, leading me into the world of new wave. I bought records, bought magazines, and grew up with a mass of curiosity.

The encounter that changed my life even further was Mr. PANTA who is the leader of famous rock band “ZUNOU KEISATSU”(the Brain Police). By a stroke of luck, a relative of mine was a friend of PANTA (though I couldn't believe it until we actually met).

At the time, I was in a comic band and carried out a bold plan to invite PANTA to Nagano to play together. PANTA enjoyed it and played a song by Zunou Keisatsu together, and during the encore, the performers and audience sang "We Don't Need Comic Magazines" together!

Everyone at the live house was covered in sweat and smiles—that day was my first event project. This was in April 2016.

Unfortunately, PANTA has already passed away. But with the words from his lifetime, "Make Gondo town a major music hub," we opened the rock bar "Cult" in Gondo-town, Nagano City, in September 2022.

I want to be someone else's place of support in life. I want to be the catalyst for the city. I want to support people who love music, film, art, and theater—and that's why I continue to do so.

Encounter with Hijiri Kogen and Feelings for my hometown of Nagano

While planning the live show in Nagano, there was something I had been thinking about for a long time.

"I want to show more of Nagano's unique character."

"I want you to take home the unforgettable memories of the Nagano live show with you."

Hospitality, a sense of unity with the stage, and an experience beyond imagination. I have always believed that Nagano can make that possible. The perfect setting for this event was Hijiri Kogen, the venue for this event.

It was the day I visited Hijiri Kogen in Omi Village through a friend's introduction. While drinking coffee at the village-run restaurant and gazing outside, I noticed one or two anglers at the Hijiri lake right in front of me. It seems you can catch crucian carp. The duck shaped boat is rocked with no one on board, still tethered to the pier.

At the top of the ski resort visible in the distance, there is an observation deck, and if you take the lift, you get a breathtaking 360-degree view. I've never seen such a magnificent view! I found myself walking around the observation deck.

On a sunny Sunday day, the only tourists at this wonderful place were me and my friend. It was truly a private tourist spot.

"It's such a waste" — I couldn't help but exclaim.

I want to bring this scenery, this atmosphere, to as many people as possible. I want to make Omi Village even more lively. I want everyone in the village and those who came to smile. We want you to experience the "extraordinary" even once a year. The moment I thought that, I decided, "Let's hold an event here."

I once have had a disappointment to run the event before, I want to create an outdoor festival together!

Actually, I have a bitter experience where I had to cancel an outdoor event while preparing for it. The cancellation was made after posting posters throughout the city, and the reason was only one lack of communication.

"NAUMANN'S KICKS" was held at Lake Nojiri in July 2024. The second event has been canceled

"I might not be done anymore..." I can't recover..." — As my friends drifted away, I felt a heavy weight drop and wanted to disappear, when a message arrived.

"Hey, everyone's taking a break, so let's go to Nagano!"

It was Daddy-O-Nov (hereafter Nobu), the organizer from Tokyo. Nobu-san didn't blame me, saying, "Well, I can't help it," and as the schedule approached, he helped me find a new place and create flyers together. Although it was no longer outdoors, we managed to hold the event.

At that moment, I swore. "I'm definitely going to do another outdoor event with Nobu-san!"

The Hijiri Highland Fes is also a challenge to fulfill that vow.

This time, I learned a lot about the importance of human connections and communication, thanks to the friend who introduced me to the wonderful location of Omi Village, and who, seeing my determination to do my best even on my own, joined me and said, 'I'll help you too.' I am truly grateful to all my colleagues who have supported me.

Event Image

Hijiri Highland Fes aims to be a day of enjoying music, while also contributing to tourism promotion, migration facilitation, and regional branding in Omi Village and Hijiri Kogen.

Local restaurants, craft artists, and farmers will also set up booths, contributing to the circulation of the regional economy. Also, by attracting BFTGs, which have many overseas fans, we hope to develop opportunities to widely promote the charm of Hijiri Kogen both domestically and internationally.

This big project needs your supports. We will make this the ultimate event, packed with many of the charms of Omi Village. Please join us. Thank you very much.

Hijiri Highland Fes organizing committee
Representative: Miki Ishida (Rock Bar Cult)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. If I support someone, do I have to attend the event?

You can support without attending in person. We also offer support plans for those living far away.

Q. When will I receive my rewards?

Visitors will receive their tickets at the on-site reception desk on the day of the festival (July 18). Postal rewards will be shipped sequentially after the festival ends.

Q. What happens if it rains?

The event is scheduled to proceed rain or shine. If canceled due to severe weather, we will contact you separately.

Q. Is there parking available?

Parking available; a shuttle bus will also run from JR Hijiri Kogen Station.

Project Implementation Details

■ How Funds Are Used

This crowdfunding will be conducted using an all-in approach (guaranteed execution type). Even if the target amount is not reached, returns will be provided. The funds raised through this crowdfunding will be used for artist appearance fees, venue usage fees, sound, and public relations expenses.

■ Schedule

Crowdfunding begins in late May 2026

End of crowdfunding by the end of June 2026

July 18, 2026 Festival Day / Rewards available at the reception on the day

Shipping of mail-in rewards scheduled from August 2026 onward

■ Contact Information

For inquiries about this crowdfunding campaign, please contact us via the "Send Comments or Questions" button on this page. For information on how to support or pay for information, please refer to CAMPFIRE Help.