Interest in Niigata Private Photography Tours spikes due to the transformation that occurs every August on Sado Island.  The sunny, pastoral island situated in the Sea of Japan, a few precious kilometers from Niigata’s capital city comes alive with music, celebrations, and visitors from all over the world.  It is a paradise for those seeking something beyond the standard Tokyo Photo Tour focused exclusively on cityscape photos.  A Niigata Private Photo Tour based on Sado has possibilities for action photos, nature photography, cultural exchange, and birding snapshots.

The Earth Celebration highlights the entire island’s appeals, but the tightest spot light is drawn onto the Kodo Taiko Drumming Troupe.  But why them specifically?  Since their debut in 1981 at the Berliner Philharmonie, the Kodo Taiko Drumming Troupe has performed in over 50 countries completing more than 6,000 performances.  When you see the stage being set for their grand performance, you will naturally begin to capture the amazing performances.  The Odaiko, or the large version of the taiko drum tends to be the center piece for the performances, and while viewing their evening drumming, you will have to be ready to photograph their frenetic movement as the music pulsates from the taiko, resonating among all the performers and reaching into the hearts of the audience.  Their movements are calculated and powerful, and you will have once in a lifetime photo ops while the Kodo members are entranced in their concert.  It is their dedication to their musicianship and international influence that brings so many visitors to Sado each August.

With all the music being played all over the island, of course there will be dancing.  A very common variety is yosakoi.  Yosakoi originated as a Japanese tradition, but as Japan has modernized so have some forms of yosakoi.  The energetic dancing and summer costumes, sometimes yukata, or the lighter version of traditional kimonos will be on full display.  Mixed among the traditional performers, you can photograph the international visitors who bring their own International flavor to the performances further deepening the free cultural exchange occurring all over Sado Island during the festival.  Your Japan Dreamscapes (JDS) Photo Workshop Leader will help you get to the best spots to make the most of your exploration of Sado Island on your Niigata Private Photography Tour.  You will be able to capture the swaying movements of the dancers as well as the driving beats of the Kodo drummers.

With your day free prior to the evening festivities, your JDS Photography Workshop Leader has more than a few recommendations.  The island is surrounding by some of the most breathtaking sapphire seascapes in all of the world.  Senkakuwan Bay awaits you on the western coast of Sado and with it some of the most awe-inspiring views that Japan has to offer.  As you approach, you will begin to understand why this location is so treasured.  There are nearly three miles of craggy coastline with access into what seems to be an unending ocean view.  From an observation deck inside the local aquatic park, you will be able to take panoramic photos that you may hang in your personal gallery once you have returned to take stock of your landscape treasures.  Your JDS Photo Tour Guide will take care of all the entry fees and directions.  On the all-inclusive Niigata Private Photo Tour, all you need is your camera or whatever device you’re using to take photos and a sense of adventure.  Leave the rest to us!

Once you have sampled the beautiful ocean views, it is time to turn inward and photograph the spirituality for which Sado is also famous.  Although there are many temples worthy of exploration, one name always rises to the top.  Myosen-ji Temple is always referred to as the ‘must see’ temple on Sado Island.  Its Niomon Gate with the two ferocious looking warriors who monitor all would-be visitors to the temple to protect the sanctity of the temple and its grounds.  They alone could merit hours of your attention with your camera.  The gate is only the beginning of the adventure at Myosen-ji Temple.  The five story pagoda is perfectly framed by the garden surrounding it, and it is especially picturesque as the garden’s verdancy peaks during the later summer.  There are also whispers as to the untold riches held in the Hozo Treasure Repsitory on the temple grounds.  Every part of Myosen-ji Temple is a masterpiece waiting to be immortalized with photography, and your JDS Photo Tour Guide will help you capture all of it.

Sado also has options for birding photography enthusiasts.  The endangered yet majestically beautiful crested ibis, or Toki, as it locally referred to, calls Sado its home.  Since their first discovery of relatively large numbers in the early 20th century on Sado Island, the birds have been treasured.  The toki have had such an impact on Japan that there is even a color that Japanese refer to as Toki-iro, an orange-tinted pink.  Describing the color does not do it justice.  You must photograph the crested ibis while on your Niigata Private Photo Tour to understand the natural beauty that is the toki.  There is a conservation center on Sado which constitutes a large number of sightings on the island, however, there were several released into the wild as part of the Japanese conservation program, and it would be rare but fulfilling opportunity to photograph a wild crested ibis while visiting Sado Island.  The potential is rare, as the birds are still recovering from their near extinction, but anything is possible.