Earth Celebration (EC) is a three-day outdoor arts and music festival, held annually on Sado Island, Niigata, Japan. It usually takes place in August, making for the perfect summer getaway. EC is a long-running festival that was launched in 1988. It is hosted by world-renowned taiko ensemble Kodo and its home, Sado Island. The festival fosters collaborations and exchange by inviting artists from Japan and around the world for three days of musical and cultural events. EC 2025 will be held from Aug. 22 (Fri) through Aug. 24 (Sun).

Music has been at the heart of Earth Celebration since the very beginning, underpinning the festival’s mission to connect people. Music has the power to move people collectively, thanks to its ability to transcend languages and cultures. Exchange through music gives people the chance to experience diverse cultures firsthand and cultivate empathy and mutual understanding. EC has a lot of regulars who make the pilgrimage back to Sado every year, drawn back by the promise of reunions, new encounters, and the community surrounding the festival. It’s a truly special gathering of people from around the world, facilitated by music and nature.

We often shorten Earth Celebration to “EC” in English and Japanese, so you’ll see and hear us use “EC” a lot. It has another nickname locally, but only in Japanese: Earth. So if the locals on Sado ask if you’re here for “Earth,” or if you’re enjoying “Earth,” please answer with a yes: “Hai!”

August is right around the corner. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get ready for the festival, including some useful links.

Pro tip: Contact Sado Tourism Association for help finding somewhere to stay. They offer assistance in English and Japanese.

Pro tip: Harbour Concert tickets are sold in number order and the same number is used for entrance order. To sit closer to the stage, order as early as possible to get priority entrance.

Use this list as a guide, and tailor it to suit your own needs.

Sado Island is the largest remote island in Japan. First-time visitors are usually surprised to find it’s a much bigger island than they expected. If you want to drive a full loop around the island, it takes about 7 hours with no stops or detours. The map below will help you plan your travel from your port of entry to Earth Celebration. Ogi Port is right beside the main venue area. It takes about one hour by car from Ryotsu Port to Ogi Port. Check out the Transportation on Sado Island page for detailed travel options, including rental car, bus, and taxi information. Sado has a wide range of things to see and do, from unique shops and breathtaking scenic spots to activities where you can immerse yourself in nature and local culture. Enjoy your stay to the fullest by doing some research and making some plans ahead of time. Visit the Sado Tourism Navi website for plenty of sightseeing info and inspiration.

Most EC venues are in central Ogi. It’s a small township and it’s easy to walk between EC events. The festival area is divided into three areas: the BLUE AREA (near the sea), the YELLOW AREA (around Ogi Shopping Street), and the GREEN AREA (around Shiroyama Park). For EC Workshops and Experiences, you’ll need to go to Sado Island Taiko Centre (Tatakokan) or Kodo Village, which are both a 15-20 min. drive from Ogi Port. For Sado Island Taiko Centre, you can take a shuttle bus or your own car or bike/e-bike. If you go by bike, please allow time for the uphill portion of the road there. Access to Kodo Village during EC is only available by shuttle bus.

We’re here to help you plan and enjoy your time at EC. If you have any questions, please ask us via the contact form below.