KARATSU DROP FESTIVAL 2026 – Japan

• September 26, 2026
  Event date:
• September 27, 2026
  Event end:

What to expect in 2026

KARATSU DROP FESTIVAL 2026 returns to Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, on September 26–27, 2026, bringing two days of live music to the East Beach area of Nijinomatsubara Beach. The festival combines Japanese rock, pop, hip-hop, alternative music, DJ performances and beach culture in an open-air setting surrounded by the sea and pine forest. The event is presented as a fusion of music, surf culture and local Karatsu culture.

The 2026 edition features a broad lineup ranging from Dragon Ash, Kuroyume and ROTTENGRAFFTY to BONNIE PINK, Rei, Wednesday Campanella, PEDRO, KREVA, Dai Hirai, GADORO and Motoharu Sano & THE COYOTE BAND. DJ Yatsui Ichiro appears on both days.

The festival has two principal performance areas, the Rainbow Stage and Beach Stage, allowing performances to run across the day. The published timetable shows alternating sets with relatively short gaps between performances, making it possible to experience multiple artists throughout each day.

The seaside setting is an important part of the festival experience. Visitors can combine live music with the atmosphere of Nijinomatsubara, local food, outdoor activities and views toward the Karatsu coastline. The 2026 festival also includes food vendors and promotional booths connected with local outdoor and marine activities.

Event dates

KARATSU DROP FESTIVAL 2026 takes place over two consecutive days:

• Day 1: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Day 2: Sunday, September 27, 2026
• Festival duration: 2 days
• Day 1 doors: 11:00 AM
• Day 1 performances: From 12:00 PM
• Day 2 doors: 10:00 AM
• Day 2 performances: From 11:00 AM

The official timetable currently runs through the evening, with the final scheduled performance on Day 1 beginning at 7:30 PM and the final scheduled performance on Day 2 beginning at 7:00 PM.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & festival site

The festival takes place at East Beach of Nijinomatsubara Beach in Higashikaratsu, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.

Venue: Nijinomatsubara Beach, East Beach
Address: Higashikaratsu 4-chome, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture 847-0017, Japan

The festival site is positioned beside the sea and the famous pine-covered Nijinomatsubara area. The combination of beach, coastal scenery and open-air stages gives the event a distinct outdoor setting rather than the atmosphere of a conventional concert hall.

The venue is close to JR Higashi-Karatsu Station, with the official festival information estimating approximately an 18-minute walk from the station. The site is also close to hotels in the Higashikaratsu area, making an overnight festival trip practical.

Full lineup

The confirmed 2026 lineup is divided between the two festival days.

Saturday, September 26

• Kuroyume
• Dragon Ash
• UCHIKUBI GOKUMON DOUKOUKAI
• Nothing’s Carved In Stone
• DJ Yatsui Ichiro
• Wednesday Campanella
• BONNIE PINK
• Rei
• Maverick Mom
• PEDRO
• ROTTENGRAFFTY

Sunday, September 27

• Dai Hirai
• PES
• GADORO
• Retroliron
• Marasy
• DJ Yatsui Ichiro
• Sakurako Ohara
• mononkul
• Takao Tajima (Original Love)
• KREVA
• Motoharu Sano & THE COYOTE BAND

DJ Yatsui Ichiro is scheduled to appear on both days. The official festival and ticketing information confirm the full artist lineup and day assignments.

Headliners & featured artists

The 2026 program includes several major Japanese acts across different generations and genres.

Dragon Ash brings its established mixture of rock, hip-hop and alternative influences to the first day’s main program. The band is scheduled for a major evening slot on the Rainbow Stage.

Kuroyume is another major Day 1 attraction, appearing in the late afternoon before Dragon Ash. Their performance forms part of a particularly rock-focused section of the day’s schedule.

UCHIKUBI GOKUMON DOUKOUKAI closes the Rainbow Stage schedule on Saturday with a 7:30 PM performance.

BONNIE PINK, Rei, Wednesday Campanella and PEDRO add contrasting pop, singer-songwriter, alternative and contemporary Japanese sounds to the Beach Stage program.

Sunday moves into a different musical mix. Dai Hirai opens the main performance sequence, while Motoharu Sano & THE COYOTE BAND occupy a 3:20 PM Rainbow Stage slot. GADORO follows at 5:20 PM before KREVA closes the main Rainbow Stage schedule at 7:00 PM.

Stages & performance areas

The 2026 festival uses two principal stages:

• Rainbow Stage
• Beach Stage

The Rainbow Stage carries several of the day’s longer headline-oriented performances. The Beach Stage provides another stream of performances, allowing the program to alternate between two parts of the festival site.

The beachside location is central to the event’s identity. Rather than separating the performances from the surrounding environment, the festival places music within the coastal landscape of Karatsu.

A relaxed viewing area is also available for visitors who want to enjoy performances away from the densest standing areas. The official rules allow leisure sheets, folding chairs and pop-up shade equipment in designated areas, while the stage-side areas remain subject to crowd-management restrictions.

Stage-by-stage schedule

The published 2026 timetable is as follows.

Saturday, September 26 – Rainbow Stage

• 12:40 PM – Nothing’s Carved In Stone
• 2:20 PM – ROTTENGRAFFTY
• 4:00 PM – Kuroyume
• 5:50 PM – Dragon Ash
• 7:30 PM – UCHIKUBI GOKUMON DOUKOUKAI

Saturday, September 26 – Beach Stage

• 11:00 AM – Welcome DJ Yatsui Ichiro
• 12:00 PM – Maverick Mom
• 1:30 PM – Rei
• 3:10 PM – Wednesday Campanella
• 4:50 PM – BONNIE PINK
• 6:40 PM – PEDRO

Sunday, September 27 – Rainbow Stage

• 10:00 AM – Welcome DJ Yatsui Ichiro
• Student Band performance
• 11:50 AM – Dai Hirai
• 1:30 PM – PES
• 3:20 PM – Motoharu Sano & THE COYOTE BAND
• 5:20 PM – GADORO
• 7:00 PM – KREVA

Sunday, September 27 – Beach Stage

• 11:00 AM – Sakurako Ohara
• 12:40 PM – mononkul
• 2:30 PM – Marasy
• 4:20 PM – Retroliron
• 6:10 PM – Takao Tajima (Original Love)

The organizers note that artists and timetable details can change, so visitors should check the official site close to the festival dates.

Set times

Day 1 begins with Welcome DJ Yatsui Ichiro at 11:00 AM, followed by the first artist performances from noon. The main Rainbow Stage starts at 12:40 PM and continues into the evening, with Dragon Ash at 5:50 PM and UCHIKUBI GOKUMON DOUKOUKAI at 7:30 PM.

Day 2 begins earlier, with Welcome DJ Yatsui Ichiro at 10:00 AM. The first scheduled artist performances begin at 11:00 AM, and the day continues until KREVA’s 7:00 PM Rainbow Stage performance.

Because the two stages operate in parallel, visitors should check the timetable before arriving if they have particular artists they do not want to miss. The published timetable also makes it possible to move between the Rainbow Stage and Beach Stage during the day.

Ticket types

The standard 2026 ticket categories are:

• Adult 1-Day Ticket: approximately $70.29
• Junior/Senior High School 1-Day Ticket: approximately $54.32
• Adult 2-Day Ticket: approximately $127.80
• Junior/Senior High School 2-Day Ticket: approximately $102.24

These amounts are converted from the official ticket prices using approximately ¥156.50 to US$1.

Preschool children can enter free when accompanied by one adult holding a general admission ticket. Elementary school children must be accompanied by a guardian. The special advance elementary-school ticket was limited to the advance-sales period; after general release, elementary school children use the junior/senior high school ticket price.

Tickets are available through several Japanese ticketing channels, including TIGET, Ticket Pia, ePlus, Lawson Ticket, Rakuten Ticket and GAKUON.

VIP & premium options

A dedicated VIP plan is offered in 2026 in addition to the standard festival admission tickets. The official festival information describes the VIP package as including accommodation at Karatsu Seaside Hotel, access to a VIP lounge and special use of the hotel’s East Wing facilities.

The accessible official 2026 festival listing does not state the VIP package price in the published ticket information. A comparable previous-edition VIP price could not be verified from the official 2025 ticket information, so no unsupported dollar amount is provided.

The VIP option is particularly relevant for visitors who want to combine the festival with an overnight stay rather than arranging separate accommodation and general admission.

Event rules

KARATSU DROP FESTIVAL is an outdoor event and is scheduled to proceed in rainy weather but may be cancelled in severe weather. If severe weather or a disaster occurs, visitors must follow staff instructions and move to designated safe areas.

Important rules include:

• Diving and moshing are prohibited.
• Professional video cameras, recording equipment and telephoto lenses are prohibited.
• Recording or photographing artists during performances is generally prohibited.
• Dangerous or legally prohibited items cannot be brought into the venue.
• Outside food is generally prohibited.
• Bottles and cans cannot be brought into the venue.
• Water for hydration may be carried in plastic bottles or tumblers.
• Alcohol brought from outside is prohibited.
• Coolers are prohibited.
• Umbrellas cannot be used in the live performance areas.
• Smoking is restricted to designated smoking areas.
• Leisure sheets and chairs may only be used in designated areas.
• Pets are not permitted except guide and assistance dogs.
• Camping is not provided.
• Overnight stays in vehicles are not permitted.
• Re-entry is permitted with the festival wristband.

The festival also warns visitors to prepare for heat, rain and changing outdoor conditions. Comfortable clothing, sun protection, water and suitable rainwear are recommended.

How to get there

The main railway access point is JR Higashi-Karatsu Station, located approximately 18 minutes on foot from the festival site according to the official festival map and access information.

From Fukuoka Airport, travelers can take the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line to Meinohama, transfer to the JR Chikuhi Line and continue to Higashi-Karatsu. The official festival information estimates approximately one hour for the rail portion after reaching Meinohama, followed by the walk to the venue.

From Hakata Station, take the subway toward Meinohama and continue via the JR Chikuhi Line to Higashi-Karatsu. The published journey information estimates roughly one hour for the rail journey after the subway connection.

From Saga Station, travel by JR to Karatsu, then change to the JR Chikuhi Line for Higashi-Karatsu. The Karatsu-to-Higashi-Karatsu section is approximately five minutes.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is a practical option because the festival site is within walking distance of Higashi-Karatsu Station. The organizers specifically encourage visitors to use public transportation because parking capacity is limited.

The festival also provides nearby parking options.

Free parking

• Matsuuragawa Riverbed: approximately 200 spaces
• Matsuuragawa Riverside Recreation Area: approximately 900 spaces
• The official festival site states that more than 1,500 free parking spaces are planned overall.

Visitors must walk from the parking areas to the festival site, and unauthorized roadside or nearby-facility parking is prohibited.

Reserved paid parking

• Parking A: approximately $19.17 for one day per vehicle or $31.95 for two days
• Parking B: approximately $9.59 for one day per vehicle or $15.97 for two days

Parking A is limited to approximately 200 vehicles and is about a 10-minute walk from the venue. Parking B is limited to approximately 700 vehicles and is about a 20-minute walk away.

Accommodation areas

The most convenient area for festival accommodation is Higashikaratsu, close to the beach and festival site. Staying nearby reduces the need for late-night transportation after the final performances.

Karatsu Seaside Hotel is particularly connected with the festival, including through the 2026 VIP accommodation package.

Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort is another nearby option highlighted specifically in relation to the festival. Its official festival information describes the hotel as approximately a five-minute walk from the venue, making it suitable for visitors who want accommodation close to the event.

Visitors can also stay in central Karatsu, where there are additional hotels, restaurants and transport connections. Fukuoka is another possible base for travelers who prefer a larger city, although staying closer to Karatsu is more convenient for a two-day festival visit.

Because the event does not provide camping and prohibits car overnight stays, travelers attending both days should arrange hotel accommodation in advance.

Food & drink

Food is an important part of the KARATSU DROP experience, with the festival combining music and local food culture. The 2026 event includes dedicated food booths featuring local specialties, festival food, sweets and drinks.

The festival’s food program is designed around Karatsu and Saga-area flavors, with the wider event emphasizing regional food and cultural experiences alongside music.

Outside food is generally prohibited, while drinks may only be brought in for hydration purposes under the festival’s stated rules. Bottles and cans are prohibited, and coolers cannot be brought into the venue. Alcohol is available for purchase at the festival, subject to Japanese legal drinking-age requirements.

The 2025 edition demonstrated the scale of the food program, with 19 vendors from Karatsu and Fukuoka offering everything from Saga beef and seafood to burgers, tacos, curry, sweets and drinks.

Accessibility

Wheelchair users can enter the festival, and the organizers state that a dedicated viewing space is planned for visitors using wheelchairs. First-aid staff are also available for visitors who become unwell during the event.

The beach environment means visitors should consider the outdoor surface and weather conditions when planning their visit. Families may bring strollers, although they must not obstruct passageways.

Toilets and rest areas are provided. The festival does not plan to provide lockers or a cloakroom, so visitors should keep personal belongings secure themselves.

Families are welcome. Preschool children can enter under the stated adult-accompaniment rules, while elementary school children require a guardian. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are permitted, while other animals are not allowed inside the venue.

Best days to attend

Saturday, September 26 is particularly focused on rock and alternative sounds, with Nothing’s Carved In Stone, ROTTENGRAFFTY, Kuroyume, Dragon Ash and UCHIKUBI GOKUMON DOUKOUKAI on the Rainbow Stage. The Beach Stage adds Rei, Wednesday Campanella, BONNIE PINK, PEDRO and Maverick Mom.

Sunday, September 27 provides a more varied mixture of pop, hip-hop, singer-songwriter and contemporary Japanese music. Dai Hirai, PES, Motoharu Sano & THE COYOTE BAND, GADORO and KREVA headline the Rainbow Stage schedule, while Sakurako Ohara, mononkul, Marasy, Retroliron and Takao Tajima appear on the Beach Stage.

For visitors interested in the complete experience, the two-day ticket allows access to both programs and also avoids choosing between the two different musical directions.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2025 edition was the first KARATSU DROP FESTIVAL held in Karatsu after the festival concept originated in Miyazaki. The event brought the DROP FESTIVAL format to Saga and established the seaside Nijinomatsubara location as its new home.

The 2025 lineup included ACIDMAN, GANG PARADE, KREVA, The BONEZ, Def Tech, Dragon Ash, MONGOL800, KREVA, GADORO, KOGYARU, Kimura Kaela, Chara, Dos Monos, MINMI, adieu and other performers. DJ Yatsui Ichiro appeared on both days, while Pixel Ribbon and ASTERISM served as opening acts.

The first Karatsu edition also introduced the combination of music, beach atmosphere, food, workshops and outdoor activities. The 2025 food program featured 19 vendors from Karatsu and Fukuoka, while the festival created a designated relaxed area where visitors could use leisure sheets and pop-up shade equipment.

The 2025 edition also demonstrated the importance of transportation planning. Additional paid shuttle-bus arrangements were introduced during the festival period, while the event provided parking areas and walking access from Higashi-Karatsu.

Official tickets

Official 2026 tickets are available through the festival’s listed ticket partners, including TIGET, Ticket Pia, ePlus, Lawson Ticket, Rakuten Ticket and GAKUON.

https://karatsu.thedropfes.jp/

The standard published prices are approximately $70.29 for an adult one-day ticket, $127.80 for an adult two-day ticket, $54.32 for a junior/senior high school one-day ticket and $102.24 for a junior/senior high school two-day ticket. These USD figures are approximate conversions of the official Japanese prices using the September 19, 2026 exchange rate.

Ticket holders receive a wristband for admission and can re-enter the festival as long as the wristband remains intact. Tickets cannot be reissued if lost or damaged, and ticket cancellations are not permitted because of artist changes or cancellations.

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