Three Days of Music, Culture and Island Life
For nearly 40 years, Sado Island’s Ogi area has hosted Earth Celebration, a three-day festival of music, art and cultural exchange. Held annually since 1988, the festival brings together performers from Japan and overseas for concerts, workshops and events throughout the town.
The festival’s main program is the Harbour Concert series at Ogi Port Park, where Sado-based taiko ensemble Kodo will perform alongside guest artists. This year’s lineup includes Khusugtun, a Mongolian group making its Earth Celebration debut, and Miyake-jima Geino Doshi-kai, a family-led taiko group from Miyake Island.
Khusugtun combines traditional Mongolian instruments and folk music with khoomei throat singing and a cappella harmonies. Miyake-jima Geino Doshi-kai is known for its distinctive taiko style, performed in an unusually low stance.
The concerts are only part of the weekend. Kodo members and guest instructors will lead taiko and dance workshops, while the Harbour Market, Fringe Market and Earth Celebration Fair on Ogi Shopping Street will bring food, drinks, crafts and other goods from Sado and across Japan. The market is free to enter, and free performances and other small-scale events will take place around Ogi throughout the festival.
Getting to Sado is possible by ferry or jetfoil from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port, or by car ferry from Naoetsu Port to Ogi Port. Special EC Shuttle Buses will connect Ryotsu Port and Ogi during the festival.
Visitors staying overnight can camp at the Shiroyama Pop-up Campsite with options to rent or bring their own tent (reservations available via the EC website.), while hotels and inns can be found through the Sado City Tourist Association’s accommodation directory.
For performance tickets and workshop booking, as well as a full festival schedule, please visit the Earth Celebration website.
