Tip 1- Yes, the FRF Official Shop GANBAN is legit. If you don't live in Japan, you will purchase your ticket from here.
Tip 2- Try as best as possible to stay on the mountain. Shuttles take about 45 minutes to get from the train station to the festival site BUT waiting in line to get on the bust took us 1.5 hrs in the heat. We stayed at NASPA Otani. Old- but had a great buffet breakfast.
Tip 3- When you first get to the site and see a long line to get in, don't get in line yet. Look around for the GAN BAN tent and pick up your actual ticket that you need to trade in for wrist bands. We made a mistake of this and made no eye contact as we cut back into the hour long queue to get in.
Tip 4- DO go up on Dragondola (and there are proper rest rooms there too). Look for a small booth with Dragondola banners and start the trek up towards the gondolas. It was at least an 1 hr ride up and back. Rest your feet about and enjoy the scenic views.
Tip 4- Look for the Naeba Independence Walk trail. It's really lovely. Plenty of "plank" art and roaming bunnies to enjoy and brings you to the further out stages. Every piece resounded well. You know you're amongst good people.
Here's the reason why we made the trek to Japan. Great crowd in Japan. Everyone was just out to enjoy the music and shows. A big thanks to Sophie for being a trooper in the heat to experience this with me. <3 p="p">
