In moments leading up to the climax in Spirited Away where Chihiro takes the train alone, Rin offers her a ride in a boat shaped like a washtub. Though it seems like something that’s native to the fantasy Ghibli realm, the boat can actually be found – and ridden – in Sado Island, a picturesque island in Niigata Prefecture.
Amid the clear azure waters of Sado Island lies an unusual sight of oval wooden boats that are shaped like washtubs, serenely floating along.
Image credit: Hokuriku X Tokyo
In it stands a female boatman who single-handedly steers the boat with an oar, paddling the traditional boat across the sea, along with seated visitors watching eagerly as their host effortlessly manoeuvres their way through the waters.
Known as tarai bune (たらい舟), these traditional boats are ironically un-boat-like as they bear little resemblance to the typical vessel we’re used to. Nevertheless, these boats can withstand an impressive load of up to 500kg – an equivalent of 4 to 5 people.
Image credit: @sado_rikiya
Tarai bune were originally built for isonegi (磯ねぎ), a practice where ama (海女, traditional female freedivers) would dive deep to harvest seafood. While rich in shellfish and seaweed, the coasts on Sado Island are narrow, and regular, large boats just couldn’t cut it.
As a small and stable boat was needed for the task, it gave birth to the distinctive washtub-like boat we see today.
But these days, the boat is mostly used for tourism, and visitors can take a short guided tour for a small fee.
Image credit: @sado_tourism
To experience what it’s like to sail down the waters in a giant washtub, pay a visit to Yajima Taiken Kōryūkan (矢島体験交流館), which is one of the best places to do so. For ¥600 (~USD4.04), travellers can go on a short 15-minute ride that takes you around the area surrounding the vivid red bridge of Yajima Kyōjima.
If you’re up for a challenge, you can even ask to try your hand at sailing the boat. But be warned, it’s not as easy as the skilled female boatmen make it seem.
Image credit: @sado_tourism
Sado Island is accessible via 2 ports, Ryotsu Port (両津港) and Ogi Port (小木港), though we recommend the latter for easy access to the experience centre. From Naoetsu Station, walk around 20 minutes to reach Naoetsu Port. 2 jetfoils depart for Ogi Port daily, and return tickets cost ¥14,310 (~USD96.24)/adults and ¥7,180 (~USD48,29)/children.
The timetable for the jetfoils can be found on Sado Kisen’s official website.
Yajima Taiken Kōryūkan is a 5-minute drive from Ogi Port. Alternatively, there is a local bus that can be boarded at the port. Look out for the bus that’s on the Shukunegi Line (宿根木線; shukunegi sen) and alight at Ogi bus stop (小木). Day passes are available for ¥1,500 (~USD10.08).
You can refer to the bus schedule on the Niigata Kotsu Sado website.
Yajima Taiken Kōryūkan
Admission: ¥600 (~USD4.04)/adults, ¥400 (~USD2.69)/children
Address: 365-1 Ogi, Sado, 952-0605 Niigata
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm | Sat-Sun 9am-5pm (Apr-Oct) (Closed on 21st October)
Contact: 0259-86-2992 | Sado Tourism website
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Cover image adapted from (clockwise from left): @sado_tourism, Studio Ghibli and Niigata Prefectural Tourist Association
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