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Experience · Sado, Niigata
Ogi Taraibune (tarai-bune)
Ride in taraibune, round tub-shaped boats rowed by kimono-clad boatwomen in Ogi harbor, southern Sado — a legacy of abalone and seaweed fishing in rocky coves.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Ogi Taraibune (tarai-bune) in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Discover
About Ogi Taraibune (tarai-bune)
Taraibune are round wooden boats shaped like tubs that appeared in southern Sado in the 19th century. The coast of the Ogi peninsula is made of rocks with many inlets, formed by land uplift during earthquakes, where ordinary boats could not enter. The tub, stable and easy to turn, allowed fishers to get close to the rocks to harvest abalone, sea urchins and seaweed, while looking at the seabed through a glass-bottom tube.
Taraibune are still used for fishing in some inlets of the peninsula. For visitors, the best-known ride departs from Ogi harbor, near the Naoetsu ferry terminal. Boatwomen dressed in printed cotton kimono row with a single oar from the stern and make a short circuit around the harbor. Visitors can try rowing, which is harder than it looks because the tub tends to spin.
Another boarding point is at Yajima and Kyojima, two islets connected by red bridges a few kilometers from Ogi, with calm waters bordered by pine trees and rocks. There the tub ride goes through a more natural inlet.
Ogi is also the hometown of the Kodo taiko group and hosts the Earth Celebration festival in August. The old port, through which the island’s gold was once shipped, has seafood restaurants and lies close to the village of Shukunegi.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 10 minutes for the ride; 30 minutes to 1 hour including waiting time and the harbor.
Best time
From April to November, with calm seas. Rides may be cancelled in strong wind and have reduced hours in winter. Check in advance.
How to get there
The boarding point is by Ogi harbor, a few minutes’ walk from the Naoetsu ferry terminal. From Ryotsu, take a bus to Ogi in about 2 hours, changing at Sawata.
Tip
Ask to row a little: the boatwoman will teach the motion. Combine with Shukunegi, a few minutes by car.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ogi Taraibune (tarai-bune)
Why do Ogi’s boats have a tub shape?
Because the tub is stable and easy to turn, it can enter the rocky coves of Ogi’s coast where ordinary boats can’t reach, to fish abalone, sea urchin and seaweed.
How long is the tub-boat ride?
About 10 minutes at Ogi harbor.
Can you row the tub-boat?
Yes. The boatwomen usually let visitors try, with guidance.
Where else can you ride a tub-boat on Sado?
At Yajima and Kyojima, islets with red bridges near Ogi, in a calm cove.
Beyond the guide
