Earth Celebration on Sado Island : Music Without Borders - Part 1
37 Years of Music, Culture, and Sustainability
Sado Island—A remote island about 35 km northwest of the Niigata Prefecture coast surrounded by pristine waters teeming with abundant nature. Its fresh local cuisine, rich cultural diversity, and historically significant gold mines, recently recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, all come to the spotlight during the Earth Celebration, an annual music and arts festival that showcases the island's energetic spirit. To help you enjoy the festival to the fullest, Amber, a Japan-based content creator hailing from New York, shares the highlights of her festival experience.
A Look into Earth Celebration's History and Purpose
Before diving into the highlights of Amber's journey, let's first explore what makes Earth Celebration so unique. Hosted by Kodo, a world-renowned taiko (Japanese drum) group, this festival has been showcasing the power of taiko music since 1988. What began as a small initiative to give back to their local community—one that has embraced their music, even through the thunderous sounds of practice and performance—has significantly grown over the years, attracting both local and international visitors. "When we started, it was much smaller in scale," one of the organizers shared with nostalgia, "At first, it was about showing appreciation to the community, but now it's also about reaching a wider audience. The city of Sado also got involved so that people would come to know and love the island."
Dive into the Heart of the Festival
Arriving on Sado Island is like stepping into a scene straight out of a picturesque postcard. From the mainland, it is easily accessible by ferry from Niigata Port (to Ryotsu Port) or Naoetsu Port (to Ogi Port). Amber traveled from Niigata Port, taking advantage of the faster "Jetfoil" service, which reaches Sado Island in just 67 minutes, compared to a regular ferry's two-and-a-half-hour journey.
The festival venue is about an hour's drive from Ryotsu Port. As you travel through the island, you are enveloped by lush greenery and the crisp scent of fresh air. Don't be surprised if you feel an immediate sense of calm and joy as the island's natural beauty takes hold. As you draw closer to the venue, the sea cascading through the vehicle's windows is both soothing and invigorating, heightening your anticipation of the events that will unfold.
The festival's events are thoughtfully spread across three venues on the island, categorized into Blue, Yellow, Green, and Other Areas. Amber headed straight to Shiroyama Park in the Green Area, where visitors are greeted by the iconic Kisaki Shrine, a designated tangible cultural property of Niigata Prefecture.
From the shrine, a short uphill trek leads to a stage set in a vast green clearing surrounded by trees. Nearby, a small campsite with a few scattered tents adds to the festival's communal atmosphere.
As you continue walking, the sounds of birds and insects give way to music and cheers, drawing you to an audience sitting on the grass, fully immersed in the performance of modern Sangaku—a captivating blend of music, dance, comedic stories, beautiful Japanese poetry, and thrilling juggling acts. "The atmosphere was incredibly welcoming and positive," Amber recalls. "The stunning backdrop of the mountains elevated the entire experience."
