The summer festival giants of Fuji Rock, Summer Sonic and Rock in Japan are over, but the country's festive spirit is still alive and kicking.
"I think the audience for Earth Celebration is extremely special," says event organizer Daniel Rosen. "Unlike Fuji Rock or some of the other larger festivals, EC is really intimate, with only about 5,000 visitors each year."
Niigata Prefecture's Sado Island is hosting Earth Celebration for the 23rd time next weekend. The annual festival acts as a showcase for Japanese drum ensemble Kodo, who were founded in 1981 and have performed in 46 different countries. This year, the event has also invited Corsican polyphony group A Filetta to play. Both will be open-air performances surrounded by natural backdrops and covered in a blanket of stars.