- Event
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Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Sado Okesa (folk song and dance)
Sadokoku Ondeko Dot-com
Sadokoku Ondeko Dot-com showcases symbolic local performing arts of Sado such as Sado Okesa (folk song and dance) and Ondeko (demon drumming) under one roof. Every year around twenty five groups of local artists participate in this event, and it is so popular that it attracts more than 10,000 spectators. You can enjoy local entertainment, passed down over generations, from various areas in Sado without having to travel around. You will also find food stalls selling Sado specialties like seafood caught fresh off the coast of Sado, and Sado's local Japanese sake.
Ryotsu area -
Other
Sado Kinzan Gold Mine Cherry Blossom Lightup
The site of Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is one of the best cherry viewing spots and has the largest number of cherry trees in Sado. The best season to see the blossoms is in the middle of April, when the sightseeing season starts in Sado. Cherry blossoms in full bloom are breathtakingly lit up, and delight the eyes of visitors. The cheery flowers, with the ruins of Sado gold and silver mines as their backdrop, create a magical scene which can be viewed only in Sado. Enjoy an evening stroll while appreciating the pretty pink flowers.
Aikawa area -
Art
Ogi Hina Doll Festival
The Ogi area features many old-fashioned, machiya-style houses, which are reminiscent of townspeople culture. During this doll festival, hina dolls and "treasures" with a long history are displayed along the Ogi Shopping Street where historical buildings stand in rows. At some shops, there are clay dolls on display, a reminder of exchanges with other parts of Japan that are peculiar to Ogi. Have fun at this event while enjoying a leisurely stroll around the town of Ogi.
Minami Sado area -
Sports
Sado Toki Marathon 2023
The course offers a magnificent view of the blue ocean and snow-capped mountains. The event will also feature a running class with professional running coach Tetsuhiko Kim as a guest speaker.
Ryotsu area、Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Sado Okesa (folk song and dance) Ryotsu Jinku (folk song) Aikawa Ondo (folk song and dance)
Sado Kanzo WEEK (scheduled for 6/9)
In June, the area around "Onogame," the symbol of the Outer Sea coast, is filled with as many as 1 million tobishima kanzo flowers, 500,000 in number, in full bloom. The cluster is said to be the largest in Japan, and is famous as one of the most scenic spots on the Sea of Japan. The local people perform Kaifu drums, Onidaiko drums, and Sado folk songs.
Ryotsu area -
Traditional art Aikawa Ondo (folk song and dance)
"Yoi-no-mai" Dance Parade through Kyomachi Street
Kyomachi Street was Aikawa's main street in the early Edo Period (early 17th century), when the Kinzan gold mine flourished. The historical street, where there used to be merchants' houses, is dimly lit with lanterns, and groups from both inside and outside of Sado parade through the street, dancing the Aikawa Ondo folk dance. All accompanying music is played live, and dancers slowly proceed, accompanied by the blue-tinged song. You can see the slow procession of elegant dancing within the grounds of the Sado Commissioner's Office, too.
Aikawa area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Yabusame (horseback archery)
Sanno Festival (Hiyoshi Shrine's Annual Festival)
Sanno Festival, with a history of 800 years, is a large-scale event held over three days. The Ondeko demon drumming team goes out to visit the Iuchi area on the first day, followed by every Ondeko team of Hiyoshi Shrine from the villages of Funashimo, Ono, and Niibo. Seven portable shrines from the seven Hiyoshi Shrines gather at the worship hall of Niibo Hiyoshi Shrine, and that is a spectacular sight. On the last day, young boys' Yabusame (horseback archery), Ondeko, and Sagariha (processional music accompaniment) are dedicated within the precinct of Niibo Hiyoshi Shrine. The idyllic Harigoma song and dance performance is also delivered.
Kuninaka area -
Festival
Kozan Matsuri
This festival is held to appreciate the miners' hard work and to pray for further prosperity of the gold mine. The attractions include: a Shinto ritual at Oyamazumi Shrine, familiar to locals by the name "Yama no Kami" (the god of mountains); an Okesa dance and song parade; and fireworks, all of which are delivered mainly in the town centre of Aikawa. Kozan Matsuri is one of the three major festivals in Sado, along with Ryotsu Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) and Kawabiraki, and Ogi Minato Matsuri.
Aikawa area -
Sports
2024 SADO Island Long Distance International Triathlon
This competition features several courses set amid the landscape of the entire island of Sado, and attracts 2,000 participants from both inside and outside of Japan. The A-type (long distance) race boasts the longest bike course (210 km/130.5 mi) in Japan, going around almost the entire island. Driving is discouraged on the day of this event so that traffic is minimal, freeing up the roads for runners and bikers, and enveloping them in the supportive cheers of spectators and 5,000 local volunteer staff.
Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Kyogen (comic theatre)
Sosha Shrine's Annual Festival Eve Kyogen Performance
Sagiryu is one of the Kyogen schools, which was passed down in only three places in Japan. Three major schools of Kyogen: Sagiryu, Izumiryu and Okuraryu, ceased after the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, but Izumiryu and Okuraryu schools were reinvigorated shortly thereafter. The Saigyu Kyogen school steadily declined, but today, a Nohgaku club called "Tekihokai," based in former Mano Town, strives to preserve the style. At Sosha Shrine's Annual Festival Eve, Sagiryu Kyogen performances are offered by Sado Sagiryu Kyogen Study Group and Mano Junior High School's Kyogen Club.
Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Lion
Minato Festival
Dubbed "Wakamiya-san," Hachiman Wakamiya Shrine is extremely familiar to locals in the Ryotsu Minato area. The annual grand festival is held on the 5th of May every year. Along Wakamiya Street, fisherman's good-haul banners (used to indicate a good catch) are hoisted and flutter, creating a colorful backdrop for this distinctly heated, port-town festival. Ondeko (demon drumming), shishi (lion dance) and a portable shrine, bounced and shaken by its bearers, parade around the street. A Sagariha musical performance troup and a float with musicians on it also travel around the neighbourhood. In the precinct of the shrine where many people await, the portable shrine makes its slow and steady return. The highlight is the heatedly bounced portable shrine in the parade.
Ryotsu area -
Sports
2023 Sado Long Ride 210
Sponichi Sado Long Ride is a representative cycling event in Japan which boasts 3,000-plus participants. There are five routes ranging from those for novice riders to professional athletes. The largest number of riders take part in Course A, which is the longest route at 210km, and goes around the entire island of Sado. Riders cycle along this highly challenging, up and down course while appreciating the stunning coastline views. Introducing the S Course, designed for highly seasoned cyclists. Part of this course sends cyclists through mountainous terrain. Some of the charms of this event are the warm cheers from local spectators and the goodies provided at local aid stations.
Kuninaka area -
Festival
Earth Celebration
This year marks the 36th anniversary of the summer festival that has been held by the taiko performing arts group "Kodo" since 1988. For the first time in four years, an overseas artist has been invited! This year, on the 36th anniversary of the festival, we will be welcoming an a cappella chorus group from South Africa, "The Voices of South Africa," as our guest performers. Live performances will be held on three consecutive nights, each with their own distinctive style! There will also be a variety of other programs. For more details, please visit the official website.
Minami Sado area -
Other
Kodo Sado Island Performances in Shukunegi (2023)
World-renowned Kodo, Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble, presents an annual performance series in Sado, which will take place in the nostalgic setting of the small, Shukunegi Community Hall. Don't miss this opportunity to experience these amazing musicians up-close, only at this time of year!
Minami Sado area -
Festival
Mano Park Cherry Blossom Festival
Mano Park is one of the best cherry viewing spots on Sado, with 2000-plus blooming cherry trees. The park is lit up (between 18:30-21:30) in the high season of the cherry blossoms. It is also decorated with 100 impressive "hattan bonbori" (lanterns made using traditional rice-planting equipment).
Kuninaka area -
Other
Donden Highland Ceremony of Yamabiraki (opening of the mountain)
The Ceremony of Yamabiraki celebrates the start of the season for climbing Mt. Donden and is to pray for safety. Mt. Donden is a treasure trove of wild plants, where alpine flora such as the Japanese wood poppy [Shiraneaoi] and rhododendron, rarely seen at this height of 900m above sea-level, grow naturally. At this event, a Shinto ritual takes place at a viewing deck where many trekkers visit in the high season.
Ryotsu area -
Sports
Sado Open Water Swim
The event takes place in the water of Mano Bay, off the shore of Sawata Bathing Beach. Participants can compete in races of varying distances: 5,000m, 3,000m, 1,500m, and 500m.
Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Lion Dance Ryotsu Jinku (folk song)
Ryotsu Ebisu Festival (scheduled for June 15 and 16)
The Ryotsu Ebisu Festival is held on June 15 and 16 every year. It is an annual festival of Suwakata Shrine, the town guardian of the barbarians, and the Ryotsu barbarians shopping street is the center of the festivities. The festival includes a large portable shrine procession, onidaiko (omikoshi), kodomo onidaiko (children's onidaiko), shishi-mai (lion dance), otsutome-mai (maiden dance), and yorogi-ha (downhill dance). Ryotsu Jinku," a traditional Japanese folk dance, is also performed in a relaxed atmosphere. (Contents are subject to change)
Ryotsu area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming)
Sado no Bon "Shishigajo Matsuri"
Held in the Sawata area, Sado no Bon "Shishigajo Matsuri" is a festival featuring a mikoshi (portable shrine) parade carried by children, Bon dancing and Ondeko deity mask dance, among others. (Bon is the time when the spirits of the ancestors return home.) The fireworks show set to music, "Firework Fantasy," is popular for the dynamics of launching at close range. Fireworks are set off in rhythmical patterns in sync with a wide range of music.
Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming)
Aikawa Festival
Aikawa Festival is the annual festival of Uto Shrine, the tutelary shrine of the Aikawa area. With over 400 years of tradition, it is one of the largest village festivals in Sado. After rituals at the shrine, a portable shrine is paraded through the town, while a taiko team, a Mamemaki dancer dancing to the beat and a lion go from house to house. The climax is in the cumulation of lights around 9 pm, when the portable shrine returns accompanied by lanterns hanging from long poles, to the main shrine, itself surrounded by strung up red and white paper lanterns. It is a scene that makes you feel the weight of history.
Aikawa area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Small Lion Hanagasa Odori (flower hat dance) Bunya Puppet Theatre
Summer Festival Takachi Performing Arts Festival
Led by local, younger generations, Takachi Performing Arts Festival is a community-based event that first started as a way to provide an opportunity for reunions during the homecoming period. The festival showcases the Ondeko group of each village in the Takachi area, Hanagasa (flower hat dance), and Kojishimai (deer dance). The wide range of programmes includes a Bunya Puppet Theatre show by students of Takachi Junior High School, and live music shows. This original summer festival draws a large crowd every year.
Aikawa area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming) Hanagasa Odori (flower hat dance) Yabusame (horseback archery) To-To (sword dance)
Kuji Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival
Kuji Hachimangu Shrine Annual Grand Festival is presented by three villages. Among the performances dedicated are: to-to (sword dance) of the Nozaki village, and Hanagasa Odori (the flower hat dance) of the Jonokoshi village, which is a Niigata Prefecture Important Cultural Asset. The Ondeko (demon drumming) group from Shimokuji village travels from door to door starting early in the morning, and dedicates a performance to the shrine along the way. This traditional festival also features a portable shrine parade, Yabusame (horseback archery), and a musical procession of children.
Ryotsu area -
Traditional art Big Lion
Shinmachi Matsuri Festival
A festival of Shinmachi Daijingu Shrine, Shinmachi Matsuri features a large lion dance called "Takami-jishi," which parades through the streets. Takami is a bamboo or wisteria sieve used by farmers to separate grains from husks and dust. In Shinmachi, the idea for the lion head was reputedly born when two takami sieves piled up resembled one. Made up of all the shrine parishioners to pray for the year's good harvest, the teams go from door to door accompanied by drums, and make the lions click their teeth in rhythm. A children's sumo wrestling tournament is held at the shrine, too. Shinmachi is lively and full of excitement on this day.
Kuninaka area -
Traditional art Ondeko (Demon Drumming)
Hatano Matsuri and the Annual Grand Festival of Kumano Shrine
Hatano Matsuri takes place on the 15th of October every year, and is the annual festival of Kumano Shrine, the tutelary shrine of the Hatano area. Two Ondeko (demon drumming) groups visit each of the households in the area. Since the Hatano district stretches far and wide, and there are about 600 households within the area, Ondeko groups set off surprisingly early: at midnight!! They return to the shrine late at night on the 15th, so they are, literally, drumming door to door from the beginning of the day until the end. During the festival, you can see traditional yabusame and a mikoshi parade, too. The Hatano area is totally enveloped in the atmosphere of an autumn festival.