[【FOCUS IT.] The Start of Summer in Chiba’s Paradise.

Held last June, “Red Bull Midsummer” was a daytime party celebrating the sun at the start of summer and featuring high-quality electronic music, including house, disco, Balearic, and ambient. The venue was “Botanical Pool Club (BOTANICAL POOL CLUB)" . Despite the unfortunate rainy weather, the event was a great success—here’s a report on how it went and what the hotel was like!

Photo by Suguru Saito / Red Bull Content Pool
Text & Edit_Kazuki Sakaguchi

The finest electronic music to enjoy by the pool.

It’s about an 80-minute drive from Shibuya. We’ve arrived at the “Botanical Pool Club,” a resort hotel in the Uchibō area of Chiba Prefecture. The interior, designed with a resort theme and featuring a color scheme of white and green, exudes a relaxing atmosphere right from the moment you step into the lobby.

As you walk in, the first thing that catches your eye is the circular signature pool. With palm trees and beach chairs lining the poolside, the scene feels just like a resort abroad. A stage will be set up here, where a total of eight artists and DJs will perform top-notch music perfect for the start of summer.

Albino Sound

Eita Godo

8:00 a.m. The event kicked off with a performance by an artist whose work—rooted in 1970s experimental music and Krautrock—blends bass music and modern techno.Albino Sound. On this day, we’ll play gentle, refreshing ambient music—perfect for the crisp early morning air—to slowly set the mood at the venue.

To be continuedEita GodoAs a DJ who curates music not only for clubs but also for saunas, restaurants, lakeside venues, and other diverse settings, his signature strength lies in his wide-ranging repertoire. He gently envelops the venue with a mix that weaves together jazzy ambient, Balearic sounds blended with the sound of waves, and mellow neo-soul.

Unfortunately, the weather forecast for that day called for rain. However, perhaps the concept of celebrating the sun reached the heavens, because the sky managed to stay cloudy.

At a club, you have to keep your attention on the stage the whole time, which limits how you can enjoy yourself, but the great thing about “Red Bull Midsummer” is that you can relax and take it easy. Inspired by the venue’s open, airy atmosphere, attendees spend their time however they like—whether it’s lounging on inflatable rings or playing with beach balls.

Gigi Masin

It was just past noon, and the crowd was starting to grow. The highlight of the day—a true gem of Italian ambient music—Gigi Masin...took the stage. The gentle piano melodies and cinematic sounds were as clear and soothing as water, perfectly complementing the poolside setting. At the end of the live performance, they performed the classic song “Clouds,” inviting the audience into a state of supreme meditation.

A toast is a must at any party. When I went to the bar, I found five different types of cocktails and five different types of mocktails waiting for me. While Red Bull and vodka is the classic pairing, it was a nice touch to be able to enjoy it with different spirits, like gin and mezcal, for a change.

There will also be a “Red Bull Mocktail Workshop” where you can enjoy creating mocktails by combining your favorite Red Bull with fruits and juices. The “Sudachi Summer Breeze” mocktail—made with citrus-flavored Red Bull as a base and combined with cucumber, dill, and lime—is refreshing and perfect for summer.

Chloé Juliette

Kuniyuki Takahashi

One afternoon when it started to rain.Chloé JulietteWith a wide-ranging setlist—from dreamy disco to moody house—they gradually ramp up the BPM, taking the venue’s energy to the next level as the night goes on.

To be continuedKuniyuki TakahashiHe performed a live set that made full use of a looper, electronic percussion, gadget synths, keyboards, and a laptop. From ethereal ambient sounds to jazzy deep house, he captivated the audience with a set that unfolded like a story.

After you’ve had your fill of the pool, be sure to check out the container sauna set up poolside. Through its large, all-glass windows, you can enjoy a beautiful botanical view. This sauna is a true standout, having ranked 7th in the 2023 Sauna Shuran awards. Being able to dive into the spacious pool right after your sauna session is an experience unique to the “Botanical Pool Club.”

Right: FELINE Left: Licaxxx

LicaxxxandFELINEThey delivered an energetic B2B set that seamlessly moved between tech house, techno, and bass music. In a complete contrast to the laid-back daytime atmosphere, they instantly transformed the venue into a dance floor.

Vegyn

And then, making their long-awaited appearance as the headliner, was the artist known for his work with Frank Ocean and Travis Scott,Vegan (Vegyn). Starting with synth-pop and ranging from left-field house to electronica, they created a unique musical world of their own. As darkness fell completely, My Bloody Valentine’s “Soon,” echoing through the venue bathed in blue light amid a downpour, was a breathtaking moment. It brought a magnificent close to a day that heralded the start of summer.

An escape from the everyday, just 80 minutes from downtown.

In fact, many of you may be hearing the term “pool club” for the first time. A pool club is a facility that combines a pool, restaurant, bar, spa, and more. During the day, you can soak up the sun by the pool; in the evening, enjoy the sunset; and at night, relax while savoring food and cocktails. It’s a place that offers just such a luxurious experience.

The reason the facility’s name includes “Botanical” is that it places a strong emphasis on the indoor plants on its grounds. The plants grown on the vast 10,000-square-meter property were selected by a plant hunter—Seijun Nishibatake...collected from all over the world. Over 300 varieties of unique plants add color and create an otherworldly atmosphere.

Actually, in addition to the Signature Pool, where the event was held, there’s another pool. It’s a 40-meter-long infinity pool. What makes it special is that you can look out over the ocean from the pool. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji. The view is especially breathtaking at sunset. It’s also a great spot for those who want to go for a good swim.

While pools are typically associated with summer, the “Botanical Pool Club” offers year-round enjoyment. The water temperature is adjusted year-round to a comfortable level based on the outside air, and I’ve heard it reaches around 40 degrees in winter. This means you can enjoy the pool as if you were soaking in an open-air hot spring. It seems like a great idea to visit in the fall and winter, when the atmosphere is more relaxed than during the busy summer season and the starry sky is especially beautiful.

Delicious food and drinks are a must to round out a fulfilling day. While there are many dining options available, our recommendation for this time of year is “BPC BBQ"Plan." The high-quality pork, chicken, lamb chops, house-made sausages, and fresh clams are absolutely delicious. We’re also committed to using organic vegetables and herbs from Chiba Prefecture as side dishes. It’s great that you can enjoy an authentic BBQ without having to bring anything.

And the perfect drink to enjoy with a BBQ is “BPC Original Beer.” Located on the coast of the Boso Peninsula, “Kaigan Brewery (KAIGAN BREWERY)" is responsible for the brewing. This lager is characterized by its light and refreshing taste. With low alcohol content and mild bitterness, it’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.