Children have a lot to learn: hard work, empathy, reading, writing … you get the idea. And there are many lessons we parents must bestow on them — the kind of ideas kids need to make the transformation into adulthood. I believe one of the most important of these is that, despite what the Beatles may have claimed, many of the best things in life are NOT free. And they aren’t easy, either. Sometimes fun and reward come at a price.
The Rainbow stage at Sunset
Which brings me to the Asagiri Jam festival. It isn’t free, and while not a Mordoor-sized mountain of adversity, Asagiri isn’t exactly easy, either. It requires a long ride away from the city. It requires hauling your tent and other supplies from a vehicle to a camping area (there are no hotels). It requires preparing clothes for several climates, as at this elevation, the weather can be unpredictable. It requires keeping warm at night.
Mount Fuji wearing a cloud cap
So sure, this festival requires a little bit of effort. But oh, what a payoff. I consider this to be one of the most kid-friendly music festivals in the country, and judging by the throngs of youth I see running around, I’m not alone. Not only are kids under 10 free, but certain festival features show that families were built into the design: the kids area is large and well-equipped with activities for the younger set, the band selection veers clear of Rock and Hip-Hop’s harsher performers in lieu of a mellower vibe, and, perhaps most importantly, all shows end at 10pm, allowing even those camped near the stages (as we do every year) some peaceful hours of rest. Unlike Fujirock, my first love, Asagiri is a much more manageable size and scale. With only two main stages, you’re never too far away from your tent or a bathroom, and the lines for toilets and food stalls are short enough to get food into small bellies without the histrionics that can accompany youthful impatience.
Naptime
This year, we arrived as the Oki Dub Ainu band began their set. The mix of aboriginal harmonies over deep bass became the soundtrack to setting up camp. It seems that 9 out of every 10 tents here is a Coleman just like ours, so this year we finally learned our lesson and brought some glow-in-the-dark sticks to decorate the door. Without them, it can be difficult to find your tent after dark. After our gear was set up and I had cracked my first can of the weekend (I bring my own ice chest full of good beer — another perk), we headed for the food stalls: Ethiopian for me, nabe for the wife and cream stew from local cows for the kids.
Anytime is snack time as Asagiri
After our meal and some socializing, we climbed aboard a tractor left out for photo-ops, the sound of Tommy Guerrero’s laid-bad licks as our backdrop. The sun would be setting soon, and we still hadn’t left the main stage! Time for a walk. We wander among the stalls selling toys, clothing and jewelry, then decide to head to the Carnival Star side stage for a little festival serendipity. Just as we arrive, the incredible Japanese band, Asakusa Jinta was setting up on the small stage for an unannounced show. Halfway through the set, I realize how much time has passed: I’m supposed to review Lee Perry, and he starts at the other end of the grounds in less than 30 minutes. If this were Fujirock, I’d never make it, even using staff access roads. But this is Asagiri, man. I take my time. I crack another beer. I grab a few sticks of Indonesian satay and watch a bit of Cut Chemist’s set on the way. By the time I return, the stars are out and two large fires are roaring.
One of several fires at Asagiri Jam
The next morning, we wake to sounds familiar to my 4th-grade son. “Ichi! Ni! San! Shi!” Someone is onstage leading people in a morning stretch routine. Then as the clouds part and the sun pours in, the John Fahey-like strumming of Takehiko “shake” Kogure streams into the tent with the cool mountain air. After breakfast, coffee and a quick game of Go Fish, the four of us wandered around until my 6-year-old daughter stopped in her tracks. There it was: the hair salon of her dreams. Several entrepreneurial souls had set up chairs and mirrors on a lookout point. For 500 yen, they would fancy-up your hair with a decorative flower of your choosing. My wife and I don’t encourage our daughter’s girly predilections, but we don’t prohibit them either. There’s no way out of this, but in my opinion it was five hundred yen well spent, if only for the photo opportunities.
Carnival Chic: at Salon de Asagiri
Onto the kid’s area for some crafts. Hand-painting pinecones, hammering and nailing wood blocks and kicking a massive ball around the field. The rest of the afternoon was spent eating chocolate bananas and dancing to Osaka Monaurail and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble — both of whom my kids love. By then it was time for an early dinner, but to be honest I don’t think we ever really stopped eating the entire weekend. As the Dirty Projectors played, we had a few rounds of Uno before putting the tent away.
Having a ball at Kids Land
The final, and possibly most spectacular act was Narasirato, the pipers from the Solomon Islands. Their music was amazing — I’ll admit that the native costumes of their press photos had me expecting some kind of National Geographic-kumbaya-charity-event-new-agey-stuff, but it a full-on house party in there. It also gave us a geography and culture conversation on the ride home. Fun like this requires effort, but the reward is substantial. Asagiri Jam has provided our family with a lot of memories, each one well earned.
Hammer Away: getting craftsy at the Kids Area
If you (let them) build it, they will come
An all-natural memento
Subscribe
Although the dates for Fuji Rock ‘12 were announced 
