Transcendence is a cutting-edge rave party crafted by Japan's new generation of ravers.
It was unfortunately raining when we departed from central Tokyo, but by the time we arrived on-site, we were blessed with a pleasant clear May sky.
The venue, "Choja no Mori Camp Ground" in Kitaaiki Village—home to a population of roughly 600—is surrounded by beautiful forest, offering a kind of forest therapy that soothes those of us exhausted from the relentless pace of city life.
A small stream runs alongside the floor, and basking in the sun while gazing at the water lets you surrender yourself to the beauty of Japan's mountain nature. The stately larch trees standing beside the DJ stage were especially striking.
What caught the eye at this rave was the production design—perfectly harmonized with nature—by RGB, the spatial design collective led by director Tatsuro Shio. Many were surely captivated by the fabric swaying gently in the breeze along the stream, and the minimal yet richly varied lighting that resonated with the larch trees.
Supporting this party was the TW Audio sound system provided by the Otodashi team, who also run Paramount. This compact German-made system is characterized by its truly "honest" sound—one that lets you sense the quality of the original tracks the DJ selects, and even imagine the movements of their hands.
The PA booth was astonishingly minimal, with equipment pared down to the essentials, keeping the electrical signal path from DJ mixer to speakers as simple as possible. The volume was never overwhelming, and moving forward or backward on the floor let you adjust it yourself—making it possible to enjoy the music comfortably throughout both days.
Musically, the focus was on forward-thinking, challenging techno. Notably, Garçon and Agonis—the duo behind Switzerland's "Amenthia Recordings"—took charge of the peak time deep into the night.
The concept of drum-and-rhythm they've pursued since launching the label overwhelmed the crowd with a style that could be called deconstructed techno.
Among the Japanese DJs, OCCA—who handled the transition into evening—and organizer DJ MARIA., who wrapped up the morning build-up with her signature acid sound, both showcased their sharp selections and distinct personalities.
As for the crowd, given that the rave is only a few years old, attendees were mostly in their 20s and 30s—a relatively young crowd by Japanese rave standards. Foreign attendees made up about a quarter of the crowd, and everyone seemed well-mannered. This can likely be attributed to the reasonable entrance fee for a two-day, one-night event, as well as the simple, beautiful promotion.
Transcendence already has us looking forward to next year—a chance to enjoy forward-thinking techno in a venue of pristine natural beauty. Through young organizers taking the initiative to host outdoor events like this, the culture is passed down to the next rave generation. We'd like to once again pay our respects to organizers DJ MARIA. and Takumi Inamoto, and to the many staff members, for their tremendous effort and passion for the rave.
