Home to Earth Celebration, Sado Island has a circumference of 260 kilometers and an area of 854.6 square kilometers. Most people think Sado is a tiny island floating in the Sea of Japan, so many first-time visitors are surprised by the island’s considerable size. With a distinct four-seasonal climate and rich culture stemming from a colorful past, Sado Island is practically a miniature version of Japan itself, both culturally and climatically. Indeed, a trip to the island is like visiting a living museum.

This year, the whole festival has moved online, so we’ve prepared a collection of videos to give you a real feel for abundant nature and folk arts that live and breathe on Sado Island. Enjoy them all!

At EC this year, the original plan was to present Bunya Puppet Plays at Shukunegi Community Hall.

With the festival moving online, it’s given us the chance to share this captivating art form with an even larger audience than we could host in the cozy local playhouse. So in July, we invited four puppet troupes to record their performances especially for the EC Channel broadcast. We hope you enjoy this entertaining lineup from the comfort of your own home.

Sado’s iconic puppet theater, Bunya Ningyo in Japanese, is designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.

From the Meiji Era through to the Taisho Era (late 19th to early 20th century), this art form was upheld by people who lived all over the island. Nowadays, it’s still performed during local festivals and performing arts events. The narrator’s captivating voice and cleverly timed delivery coupled with the puppeteers delightful movements promise to draw the audience into the unique realm of each tale.