Festivals are dangerous. But having your heart moved is also a form of rehabilitation
Taking a 1.5-year-old to the midsummer Gigantic
On August 1, 2026, I went to the "OSAKA GIGANTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026," commonly known as Gigantic.
From the afternoon, there were HY, Shonan no Kaze, Maximum the Hormone, UVERworld, and Creepy Nuts.
Being able to see this many artists in one day is irresistible for music lovers.
However, my biggest takeaway was—it was just incredibly hot.
This time, I participated with my 1.5-year-old child. When taking a small child, you cannot go with a light heart. We headed there with what we thought was thorough preparation, including water and heat countermeasures.
Even so, while spending time at the venue, I started to feel anxious, thinking,
“We might not have enough water...”
What saved us then was the water station located just before the SUN STAGE. Being able to secure extra water provided a huge sense of relief, both physically and mentally.
Safety is not created solely by the equipment participants bring. Only when there is an environment with water stations, shade, rest areas, medical support, and places to escape the crowds can you make the choice to "enjoy" it.
The official Gigantic guide also provided information on kids' rest areas, a KIDS AREA, kids' areas at the back of the seating, and medical areas. For those with children, having these "places to escape to" is extremely important.
The festival isn't over until you get home
We parked the car in a parking lot near Cosmosquare Station and used the shuttle bus from there.
On the way there, we barely had to wait and arrived at the venue more smoothly than I had expected.
However, on the way back, many people were moving at once, as expected. I think it took about an hour from leaving the venue to returning to the parking lot area.
Just because the trip there was smooth doesn't mean the trip back will be the same.
After enjoying the day, both adults and children are tired. Considering that there will be further travel and waiting times, you need to make sure you don't use up all your water at the venue and save some for the trip home.
Safety management at a festival doesn't end when the live performance is over. I realized that you need to think about everything up until you return to the parking lot or station and get home safely.
An adult's "I'm still okay" is not a standard for children
As an occupational therapist working in medical and nursing care, I was particularly concerned about managing the child's physical condition.
Children have less developed thermoregulation functions than adults and are considered more susceptible to the effects of surrounding heat. Also, since strollers are close to the ground, you need to be careful about reflected heat. The Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Pediatric Society also call for frequent hydration and resting in the shade or indoors.
At 1.5 years old, a child cannot accurately communicate their condition by saying "I'm thirsty," "I have a headache," or "I'm not feeling well."
Adults need to observe their complexion, how they are sweating, their mood, their reactions, and their water intake, and let them rest without waiting for them to complain.
And above all, don't push yourself just because "you've come all this way." I think being prepared, including the decision to go home early, is what true thorough preparation means.
Experiences that move the heart also revitalize people
On the other hand, just because there are dangers, avoiding all experiences is not the only way to be safe.
In occupational therapy, we think not only about "can they do it or not," but also about what the person wants to do and what environment or support is needed for that.
Increase rest. Change locations. Devise methods. If it's too much, cut it short.
Festivals are the same.
It's not a binary choice of "to go or not to go," but it's important to think about "how can we enjoy it safely" and "at what point should we go home."
Festivals have dangers such as heat, crowds, volume, and the burden of travel. I cannot easily recommend participating with young children to everyone.
Even so, the experience of being bathed in music at the venue and sharing the same moment with many people has a power that cannot be obtained in daily life.
My body was tired.
But my heart was definitely moved.
Not giving up on experiences that move the heart while keeping safety as the foundation. I think that is also a way of thinking that leads to rehabilitation.
Festivals are places that have dangers.
At the same time, they were also places where I could get the power to move forward to tomorrow.
Next time I go, I will go with a little more water than this time and enough extra energy to enjoy even the waiting time on the way home.
Creepy's new song. It was insanely cool!
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