From up-and-coming newcomers to legends. A live report on four must-see acts.
PUFFY
The highlight of the first day’s afternoon lineup was PUFFY’s performance. Dressed in matching jumpsuits and blue caps alongside their band members, the duo performed a string of hit songs, including “This Is My Way of Life” and “Sign of Love,” further heating up the atmosphere at the venue. It wasn’t just the adults—who were teenagers back then—who were getting into the groove. They also performed “Susume Nonsense,” the ending theme song for the anime “Chibi Maruko-chan,” which is currently airing on FNS affiliate stations nationwide. The children were absolutely thrilled by this. Finally, they sang their debut song, “Asia no Junshin,” showcasing both their charm and the poise that comes with 23 years in the business.
Enjoying the concert while riding on Dad’s shoulders. Seeing the family’s different expressions and taking in a different view must be quite an exciting experience.
Yuta Orisaka (ensemble)
Just as dusk fell, a patch of blue sky appeared, as if on cue. Against this perfect backdrop, Yuta Orisaka took the stage, accompanied by a renowned band. Last year, he released the album *Heisei*, showcasing a musical style that seamlessly blends blues, folk, and jazz, and instantly became the talk of the music scene—an artist definitely worth watching right now.
Despite his usual demeanor, on this day he performed Radiohead’s “High and Dry” with the band members right from rehearsal, occasionally interspersing the lyrics with Japanese. This revealed an unexpected side of him that left the audience baffled. The audience was instantly drawn in by his smooth vocals and performance. During his MC segment, he left the stage after delivering these memorable words: “Whether we make this time a moment of leisure or a fruitful gathering is up to all of you, so let’s give it our best.”
Ishino Takkyu
Late at night, after the kids had fallen asleep, Takkyu Ishino took the stage as a DJ. The crowd, brimming with anticipation about what kind of set he would deliver, was on the verge of exploding with excitement. Amid this electric atmosphere, he appeared wearing a T-shirt with the cryptic phrase “Three Stoned Roses”—a play on The Stone Roses—and continued his set with stoic intensity. The one-hour set grew increasingly aggressive as it progressed, like climbing a spiral staircase. Although there were no spoken announcements, it was thrilling to watch him make eye contact with the audience and whip the crowd into a frenzy with his gestures. With drinks in hand, the adults danced the night away to the legend’s set, and Day 1 came to a close, leaving behind a lingering sense of reluctance to see it end.
Late at night, after the children had fallen asleep, the adults lost themselves in the DJ sets of the legends.
Kaneko Ayano
The second day was unfortunately rainy. However, the attendees—eager to enjoy the festival to the fullest—didn’t let the weather get them down. The audience, eagerly awaiting the appearance of singer-songwriter Ayano Kaneko, sat in front of the stage with bated breath. Focusing on songs from her album *Shukusai*—which captures the tenderness and affection found in everyday life—she added color to the listeners’ emotions with a simple arrangement featuring just her acoustic guitar. During her between-song remarks, she spoke joyfully about the fog lifting from the mountains, yet also showed concern for the attendees getting wet in the rain. She performed songs like “Emerald”—whose lyrics, “On rainy days, let’s play without even opening our umbrellas,” left a lasting impression—soothing the audience’s hearts as the joyful celebration drew to a close.
A girl listening intently to Ayano Kaneko's performance.
Adults playing with a ball, undeterred by the rain.
The enjoyable celebration came to an end. It drew to a close, leaving us with anticipation for next year.
The closing act, SPECIAL OTHERS ACOUSTIC, received a warm round of applause.
With 3:00 PM as the estimated cleanup time, campers began taking down their tents. After finishing up, the attendees who stayed until the very end—despite the rain—watched the final act, “SPECIAL OTHERS ACOUSTIC,” with a touch of reluctance. The band members shared lighthearted anecdotes about the area’s history, noting that they had visited it before for recording sessions. The audience responded with warm applause as the band wrapped up these two days with happy music and a lively groove.
And so, the third edition of “THE CAMP BOOK” came to a close. That said, it was still only 4:00 p.m. Even if participants take some time to visit a hot spring or do something else in between, as long as they aren’t traveling from too far away, the schedule is designed so they can leisurely wrap up their weekend while reminiscing about their memories.
Undeterred by the bad weather, the children enjoyed the event to the fullest. The face paint really suits their beaming smiles.
It seemed as though “THE CAMP BOOK” had successfully weathered the bad weather and come off without a hitch—perhaps because the concept of “Let’s Learn and Play Together,” which the festival has championed since its very first edition, has truly taken root. It was also striking to see how, as the festival has grown, attendees have each found their own way to enjoy it. Will it be held at this same location next year, or will it move to a different venue? It’s entirely up to the organizers, but either way, there’s no doubt this festival will continue to be loved for years to come—by children and adults who haven’t lost their sense of playfulness alike.
