First comes..."Hakusan-maru Matsuri" in Shukunegi on Jul. 24.
Please look at this beautiful wooden sailing freight ship under the blue sky!
This sailing ship, called "Hakusan-maru", is the exact replica of the freight ship originally built in 1858.
Hakusan-maru Festival is held on the last Sunday of July every year since 2000 and attracts so many people in and outside of Sado.
It looks like having a tug-of-war, but actually they are pulling the ship out of the hall.
Not only locals but also tourists can join in on the spot.
It truly is a rare chance to have a "tug of war" against that huge ship, so please come and join us!
Second comes... "Kozan (gold mine) Matsuri" in Aikawa on Jul.24.
God of mines is enshrined at Oyamazumi Shrine in Aikawa and the festival is held on the last Sunday of July every year.
The ritual called "Yawaragi" meaning "soften" is performed in front of the god by locals dressed like miners.
"Yawaragi" has double meanings, to soften the god's feeling and hard veins to mine for gold and silver easily.
At night, "Okesa Nagashi" or folk dance parade is held along the Tenryo street, once prospered during the Edo era.
And the last..."Akadomari Minato Matsuri" in Akadomari on Jul.31.
You'd like to be a sumo wrestler just once? Then you are welcome in Akadomari Harbor Festival.
As you can see, bouts are done on a floating ring on the sea. Unstable and slippery, it's a lot of fun for spectators but so treacherous for the wrestlers! We imagine that even real sumo wrestlers easily lose bouts on a floating ring!
Another funny event at Akadomari is... cardboard boat race!
You can make your original cardboard boat and off you go, paddle, paddle, paddle to the goal!
Sometimes some boats turn around, others unfortunately sink and fall apart...but this whole event gives us good laugh!!
There are also pre-events on the eve of all three festivals.
Now, which festival are you going to see? All of them?? Thank you very much!
