The first thing you're greeted with when walking into the gates of Rock In Japan Festival is a large sign with a list of rules titled, "7 Things Rock In Japan Wants to Tell You."

Some of the list was fairly standard Japanese festival affair, and some was actually welcome: The festival asks audiences to not stake out viewing spots for acts, and the strict "no video" and "no photo" policy kept the number of smartphones up in the air while bands were playing to a minimum. Other rules, such as the "no tree climbing" and "no chemical lights or penlights" signs peppered throughout the site, were more questionable, along with a strictly enforced no diving or "dangerous acts" policy (I was told crowdsurfers get their wristbands cut and are removed from the festival).

The result is a very clean and organized festival, but perhaps at the cost of feeling at times like a bland, neutered experience. To cap it off, all music ends at around 9 p.m.; you have to pack up your tent and leave, even if you're coming back the next day.