• Earth Celebration 2019: Main Event Dates: Aug. 16 (Fri)–18 (Sun) on Sado Island!

Sado Island, an emerald isle off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, is usually a quiet and peaceful place. But every year in mid-August, the island surrounded by the bluest sea transforms into a post-hippie island drum party during the three-day Earth Celebration (EC).

Centered around the world-renowned taiko drumming ensemble Kodo, the fest is revered by locals and international tourists as a chance to come together in the heart of summer to discover the culture, sights and music of this picture-perfect island. Each night of the festival has an outdoor performance called “Harbour Market Live” on the main stage at Ogi Port Park. Musicians from around the world take part in this live concert, so be prepared to hear perfectly harmonized melodies from a Thai xylophone to the Chinese erhu resonating on Japan’s largest island (besides the main islands).
 

Dance with Kodo

The main event that everyone is hyped about is Kodo’s final performance on the last day of the festival. Kodo is the world’s No. 1 taiko ensemble and puts on a lively show encompassing drummers in traditional garb showing off feats of strength and synchronized beats.

The Kodo members are drenched in sweat by the time they jump off the stage and parade through the audience. It’s hard to resist the temptation to stand up and dance along while watching them move joyfully among colorful streamers and confetti.  At the harbor market, you will find dozens of stalls selling ethnic and Japanese food, drinks, handmade crafts and festival clothing. Besides soul-rejuvenating live performances, the Earth Celebration is also the perfect occasion to do some shopping.
 

Sightseeing on Sado Island

As the main events of Earth Celebration happen at night, visitors are free to use the day to explore the island. The most popular activities are concerts and taiko experience workshops at the EC Theater, but visitors should feel free to get outdoorsy and try one of these unique activities:

• Go for a tarai bune (wash tub boat) ride at Ogi Port
• Go sea kayaking at Kotoura Beach
• Jet ski in Mano Bay
• Admire Sado’s coastline at Senkakuwan Bay
• Go cycling around Sado’s famous Ibis Forest Park.

If you aren’t feeling up for an outdoor adventure, there are plenty of other options including Sado’s renowned sake breweries, traditional puppet shows, kabuki and other dance performances.  Earth Celebration is a unique chance for visitors to mingle with tourists from around the world with music being the common language. The synergistic vibe flowing through the venue adds extra warmth to the heart under the summer heat.
 

Tickets

Tickets are sold online about 2-3 months in advance. You can reserve your tickets on this website from June 15 to Aug. 15, or you can call the Kodo Ticket Service for a reservation: 0259-86-2330.

Each performance requires its own ticket. However, we recommend you buy the three-day pass which costs ¥13,500 for adults to see it all or the one-day ticket which costs ¥5,000 for adults ( ¥1,500 for children).

For schedule and details, head to their official website.

Things To Know

When

Earth Celebration takes place for three days every mid-August. Most main performances take place at night.
 

Vehicle Rental & Accommodation

It is also possible to rent a car, motorbike or sightseeing taxi at Sado island. For more information and reservations, go here:

https://www.visitsado.com/en/tosado/insado.

Affordable accommodation is limited on the island and fills up fast, so book early. If you don’t end up finding a place to stay on Sado, you can stay on the mainland of Niigata and do a day trip.

How To Get There

Address

1935-11 Ogimachi, Sado-shi, Niigata-ken 952-0604, Japan

By bus

Once to the island, if you’re coming from Ryotsu Port in Niigata City, take the Main line bus bound for Aikawa from Ryotsu to Sawata. At Sawata, transfer to the Ogi line for Ogi. 

During the festival, there are also special EC buses, which you can take to the venues in Ogi. We recommend you buy the EC Bus Day-Pass to ride the special buses anytime you want. A one-day unlimited pass costs ¥2,000 for adults and ¥1,000 for children.
 

By boat

Get to Ogi directly by car ferry from Naoetsu Port in Joetsu City. The event venue is right next to the port.