So you're only a few scant days away from the festival. Hopefully you have your transportation sorted by now, but where should you turn off? Well the official access map is here. I kind of like this one a bit better though:

Take the Kanetsu Expressway from Nerima in Tokyo all the way to the Yuzawa interchange, my preference of the two available. Follow Route 17 from there on in. Can't go wrong. Make sure you have parking organised in advance. Parking passes are cheap for cars, but in very limited supply. I noticed some for sale on Yahoo Auctions this week if you find they've already sold out.

If you're heading in by Shinkansen, find your way from wherever you start out to Echigo Yuzawa station on the Joetsu line. There is a free shuttle bus from there to the site for ticket holders, the timetable should be up soon. The Joetsu line starts at Tokyo station via Ueno. If you are travelling from the other side of town, take the JR Takasaki line from Shinjuku station and change to the Shinkansen at Omiya. If you'd like to travel in style all the way, you could try the Limited Express Nikko 1 from Shinjuku to Omiya, for a premium price of course! If you're travelling in from the west of Japan, the recommendation would be to head in all the way to Tokyo Station via Shink, then out again on the Joetsu. Check the finer points of how to get there at Hyperdia. You may be able to find a cheaper way via local trains if you've splashed your last cash on tickets... or plan to splash it on beer!

If you're wanting to head up via motorcycle, well, you're in for a treat. Parking is free, right next to the entrance gate, and the twisty roads on the way up there are an absolute delight. Take your time and come via the backroads, or use the expressway as detailed above. If you're a deft hand with the internet you may be able to locate the Street Bikers, a Tokyo based group intrepid FujiRock Express reporter Jeff ran into a couple of years back. Unfortunately no amount of searching on my part has raised their contact details, so get searching.

Whatever your plans, if driving up please allow plenty of rest time, and make sure you're sufficiently rested and that any residual alcohol has had time to pass out of your system before returning home. Remember that in addition to any mishaps that may befall you, if you are caught driving with alcohol in your system, ALL passengers in your car will receive the same fine as the driver. Play it safe please guys!

Report by Dom.