It's my favorite night: all the FRF loyalists are already there and already set up, many in yukata, there's fireworks, and the locals come out for a bon dori dance with the fest revelers – possibly the only place in Japan where you'll see kids with Mohawks and black fingernails dancing with little grandmas from the mountains – a sight to behold.

And every year, a few bands on the FRF lineup play an extra show that night. The crowd goes completely nuts, cause they know the fun has just begun. There's a feeling of hope, excitement like no other night. Thursday Fuji: highly recommended.

Jinki