The 4th Ishii Fest 2026, a festival event set at 'Michi-no-Eki Fujikawa' which mobilized 5,000 people last year, will be held! Crowdfunding with abundant return items also starts!

Sotaro Ishii, a comedian living in Yamanashi Prefecture, will produce and host the festival event 'The 4th Ishii Fest 2026' at Michi-no-Eki Fujikawa, where he serves as station master, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, featuring laughter and performances.

Since becoming station master of Michi-no-Eki Fujikawa in October 2022, Ishii has been working hard to promote the roadside station by developing new products full of local charm and publicizing them in the media. This event is organized by Ishii and a group of volunteers. For the fourth edition, they are planning comedy live shows featuring fellow comedians such as Mochu Chugakusei and Kogaken, local performers, and stages with Yamanashi Prefecture's local mascot characters. Exhibitions of working vehicles and sales booths offering local gourmet food, which were popular last year, are also scheduled.

Additionally, crowdfunding started on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in preparation for the event, and support is currently being accepted. Supporters will receive various return items such as the popular Baumkuchen from 'BAUM ARURA', new character goods of 'Takeda Ringen' created by Ishii in collaboration with local tourist facilities, and the 'Ishii Fest 2026 Staff T-shirt', offering a wide range of options to encourage many people to support.

Overview of 'The 4th Ishii Fest 2026'

Date & Time: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 13:00-20:00 (Free admission)

Venue: Michi-no-Eki Fujikawa (1655-3 Aoyagi-cho, Fujikawa-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture)

Performers: Sotaro Ishii, Kogaken, Mochu Chugakusei, Seken Shirazu, Tika Tou, Numanzu, DJ DEKKA,

Mahora no Sato Takasuki Kobayashi Hachiman Taiko, Koshu YOSAKOI Rinku Masuho, Yamanashi Prefecture mascot characters, and others

Stage Schedule (tentative)

14:50-15:00 Opening Act

15:00-15:30 Mahora no Sato Takasuki Kobayashi Hachiman Taiko

15:30-15:40 Lottery Draw 1

15:40-16:10 (Tentative) Vocal Stage

16:10-16:40 Koshu YOSAKOI Rinku Masuho

16:40-16:50 Lottery Draw 2

16:50-17:10 Mascot Character Appearance

17:20-17:50 (Tentative) Dance Stage

18:00-19:00 Comedy Stage

19:00-19:30 Bon Odori Stage (DJ Dekkachan)

19:30-20:00 Grand Lottery

Crowdfunding Overview for 'The 4th Ishii Fest 2026'

https://cf.fany.lol/projects/4427

Period: Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Saturday, July 18, 2026

Target Amount: 500,000 yen

Main Returns: Ishii Station Master Set (Baumkuchen + Mimippusu), 'Takeda Ringen' goods, Ishii Fest 2026 Staff T-shirt, name listing rights on flyers/posters, etc.

Return Items (examples)

5,000 yen support: Takeda Ringen SD version goods 3-piece set (keychain, can badge, mini sticker) 5,000 yen support: Gift of gratitude (message + BAUM ARURA) 10,000 yen support: [Limited to first 10] Ishii Fest 2026 Staff T-shirt

Comment from Ishii

I have spent more than half of my career in this land of Yamanashi! The Ishii Fest is one of the culminations of that. Through this festival, I want to create even more smiles together with the people of Yamanashi.

I believe this is my way of giving back to the people of Yamanashi who have supported me!

I would be happy if you could support this challenge!

Profile of Sotaro Ishii

Born in 1974, age 52.

Yamanashi Ambassador, Fujikawa-cho Ii Toko Jan-ka Appeal Section, Fujikawa-cho Tourism Ambassador.

Since becoming a Yamanashi Prefecture resident comedian in 2011, he has appeared in numerous local media and events. He now works as a solo comedian, also directing citizen-participation stage productions and serving as a lecturer, expanding his field of activity.

In October 2022, he became station master of Michi-no-Eki Fujikawa.