Hakusanmaru Matsuri

Hakusanmaru is the first fully-restored sengokubune (large wooden freight ship) in Japan, and is on display at the exhibition hall of Sado Island's Ogi Folk Museum. Once a year, many people, including locals and tourists, pull the ship out from the hall to the front space, and exhibit it with a gigantic sail (approx. 270 square metres) billowing in the wind. The sail is raised accompanied by Kiyari (a work song), and is well worth experiencing. Anyone can join and pull the ship out of the hall at the festival, and once it's out, you can board the ship and look around for free. The highlights of the festival include performances of traditional folk arts, and stalls selling local specialties.