MISAWA, Japan — The largest open-air jazz concert in northern Japan is to take place July 22 in the village of Nango, about 30 minutes from Misawa Air Base.

The 17th annual Nango Summer Jazz Festival features jazz players from Japan, the United States and Europe, including names such as Charlie Berkinshaw, Kei Kobayashi and Tony Lakatos.

The gate opens at 1 p.m., an hour ahead of show time. Festivities conclude about 9:30 p.m.

Tickets cost 4,500 yen (about $39) in advance and 5,500 yen (about $48) for adults at the gate; 2,500 yen (about $22) in advance for students age 13 to 18; and 3,500 yen (about $30) on concert day. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

Advance tickets are available at Misawa International Tours and Tickets. A Misawa ITT bus departs for the festival at 11 a.m. from the base library. Call DSN 226-3555 to a reserve a seat.

The concert is to take place rain or shine.

Longtime Japan resident Simon Bernard offers these tips:

There are no bad seats but go early to get close seats.

Bring a blanket; small camp chairs are OK but lawn and reclining chairs are prohibited.

Limited tent spaces are available for free to campers outside the gate at the festival site but you must be there early Saturday morning to get one. Tents and tarps aren’t allowed into the festival.

Food and drinks are available at the show.