Event

An annual event! As one of our efforts to create attractive places to visit at night around the island, this year we will again light up the historic Kitazawa Flotation Plant.

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.

Ushio Shrine is a venerable old shrine that is descended from Izumo Taisha Shrine. The Noh stage is also prestigious and dignified, and is almost the largest Noh stage on Sado Island. The history of the firelit Noh stage is one of the oldest on Sado Island. The Tenno Festival Yoimiya is dedicated to firewood Noh on the Noh stage. Onidaiko (devil drums) from Lagoon and Agata are also dedicated. In the main festival, miko (shrine maiden) dances, daikoku dances, and a portable shrine procession are performed. The portable shrine procession is performed, and onidaiko (devil drummers) go from house to house to perform the parade.

Ryotsu Takigi Noh has been playing a role in maintaining the tradition and quality of Sado's Noh performances, obtaining instruction and cooperation from Mr Honma (head of Sado Hosho School). You can see Noh performances in the magical atmosphere of the Noh stage in Shiizaki Suwa Shrine which faces Lake Kamo. Enjoy the traditional art of Noh, developed by the community.

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)

Annual festival of Kusakari Shrine and Sugawara Shrine. Taikagura Tsuburosashi, a Niigata Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Asset, is danced in the town. Onidaiko (devil drums) and mikoshi (portable shrines) are carried out, and a large lion parades through the town with a powerful appearance. In addition, children and students perform "Kodomikoshi" and "So Odori" to enliven the festival for the whole district.

The Noh stage at Kusakari Shrine is thought to have been built before the early Meiji Period (late 19th century), and there remains a record of Noh performances held here in the late Edo Period (mid-19th century). Noh has been performed continuously, and it is dedicated to gods at the Kusakari Shrine's annual festival (Hamochi Festival) on the 15th of June every year. Bonfires illuminate the stately Noh stage and invite you into the subtle and profound world of Noh.

The dedication is not a performance, but a Shinto ritual, but those who are interested are welcome to observe. Dedicatee: World Reido Federation

For those of you who love Sado, the Sado Cultural Foundation presents this workshop. Hear directly from the performers, learn their movements, and experience Sado performing arts rooted in daily life.

An event where you can enjoy a day at Ogi Minato Park. Entertainments will be performed on the stage. Specialty products will be on sale, and tuna will be on sale. The annual "catching turban shells" is also popular.

Nagoshi-no-harae (purification ceremony over the summer) is held at Kisaki Shrine and Kotohira Shrine in the Ogi area. Participants pass through a thatch ring made of kaya (thatching) wrapped around a large bamboo wheel to purify themselves of the injuries of the past six months and pray for good health for the next six months. In the evening, men and women of all ages gather at the shrine to go through the thatched ring decorated at the shrine, with men going around the ring three times to the left and women going around the ring three times to the right. There is a custom to eat Ayame dango (dumplings made of iris), which are also sold at stores.

Myosenji Temple is known for the only five-story pagoda found in Niigata. Within the grounds, there is a grave of Hino Suketomo, who was a court noble forced into exile on Sado and then executed. He is mentioned in the Noh chant, "Danpu," created based on "Taiheiki" (Chronicle of the Great Peace). In commemoration of Hino Suketomo, Myosenji Temple puts on a Noh performance at its annual festival, "In Memory of Hino" on the 3rd of July, the anniversary of his death. At this event, Noh and Kyogen performances are dedicated in the tatami-mat floored main hall with the background of an old pine tree.

Ryotsu Takigi Noh has been playing a role in maintaining the tradition and quality of Sado's Noh performances, obtaining instruction and cooperation from Mr Honma (head of Sado Hosho School). You can see Noh performances in the magical atmosphere of the Noh stage in Shiizaki Suwa Shrine which faces Lake Kamo. Enjoy the traditional art of Noh, developed by the community.

Kuroki Palace used to be a residence of Emperor Juntoku, who lost the Jokyu Disturbance and was forced into exile on Sado. Emperor Juntoku spent twenty-two years in this simple, temporary palace, until he passed away while aspiring to return to Kyoto. A ritual event is held to commemorate the Emperor in this area deeply connected with him.

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.

This is an annual festival of "Shinmeisha" located in the center of town. Two large lions parade through the streets, and oni (devil) drums are also paraded around the town, making their way around the gates as well. The skillful oral performances in front of the houses are also a highlight of the festival. Onidaiko (devil drummers) dance to the accompaniment of lively flutes and drums, with the demons facing each other. Children dressed in happi coats and tasuki (socks) also appear and dance one after another.

Kodo, the renowned taiko drumming group based on Sado Island, is now in its 44th year. This summer, experience a special, intimate performance—exclusive to Kodo’s home base. The event will take place at Ai-port Sado, just a 5-minute walk from Ryotsu Port, the main gateway to Sado Island. Don’t miss this chance to feel the powerful, up-close resonance of taiko drumming!

Kasuga Shrine is considered to be the birthplace of Noh performances in Sado. This Noh stage was built by Nagayasu Okubo, a former Noh actor and Deputy for Sado (later the first Commissioner of Sado), and it was the site of the first ritual Noh performance dedicated in Sado. The present-day stage was transferred, to where it now stands, from the Hamochi area, by volunteer members of the community in 2006. Besides the mysteriously beautiful Takigi Noh, Sado's local performing arts, such as the folk songs "Sado Okesa" and "Aikawa Ondo" are also presented.

This festival is held to comfort gold mine workers and to pray for the prosperity of the mines. The festival includes a Shinto ritual ceremony at Oyamazumi Shrine, known as the "God of the Mountain," a town-wide okesa float, a fireworks display, and other historic events held mainly in downtown Aikawa. The festival is considered one of the three major festivals on Sado Island, along with the Ryotsu Tanabata Festival, Kawabiraki Festival, and Ogi Port Festival.

Akadomari's summer festival. The main event of the day is the "Grand Sumo Tournament on the Sea of Japan" held in a ring floating on the sea. The audience cheers for the wrestlers as they struggle to slide and fall on the swaying ring. There are performances by local performing arts groups, sales of local products, and a beer garden. At the end of the festival, fireworks light up the night sky.

Tanabata Matsuri and Kawabiraki is a combination festival to celebrate both the children's Star Festival and to commemorate the opening of Ryotsu Port. The town, mainly the central areas of Ebisu and Minato, bustles with spectators and locals. This event originates from the celebratory event to commemorate the listing of Ebisu Port, in 1898, as one of the top seven ports in Japan. The festival events include: a brass band parade, a children's float parade, a folk song and dance procession, and demonstrations of Ondeko (masked deity dance).The festival closes with a gorgeous firework display.

The annual summer Beer Festival will be held at Aiport Sado, a 4-minute walk from Ryotsu Port. There will be workshops, mini-concerts, and many other events. For details, please check the official HP and flyers.

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.

A summer festival held by the taiko performing arts group "Kodo" since 1988. Live performances are held on three consecutive nights, each with its own distinct personality! The festival is also packed with a variety of other programs. For more information, please visit the official website.

Anju Tenjin Matsuri is a summer festival in the Hatano area where Anjuzuka (Memorial Mound of Anju in Hatano) is situated. The festival features a portable shrine parade, Harigoma (spring foal dance), a folk dance, and representative Ondeko (demon drumming) groups from five villages in the Hatano area. You can enjoy yakitori grilled chicken skewers along with draft beer, while immersing yourself in live music performances on the outdoor stage on the eve of the festival. During the festival, painted paper lanterns lined up on the shopping street brighten up the night sky.

A memorial service and dedication dance will be held in memory of Zeami, who was exiled to Sado Island. A sutra reading and incense burning ceremony will be held in front of the stage, followed by a Noh performance. The memorial service for Zeami, who is considered the greatest master of Noh, is attended by performers not only from Sado but also from outside the island.

This festival began when rice was offered to Kisaki Shrine as a prayer for safe voyage in the days when Ogi Port was a port for loading gold and silver. Shinto ritual entertainment, small lion dances, large lions, and devil drums, as well as Shukunegi chitoton and chitoton, etc., make the rounds of the gates. Ogi Okesa" and "Mikoshi" also make an appearance. As the last summer festival on Sado Island, the night sky is decorated with a large display of fireworks.

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.

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.