Tarai Bune (Tub boat) in Ogi town

Tarai bune (Tub boats) are a representative scenery of Sado Island.
Tub boats were invented in the Meiji era (1868-1912) to catch turban shells, abalone, and wakame seaweed on the rocky Ogi Coast.
They are said to be more maneuverable than small boats.

The tub boat is made of cedar and bamboo, and has an oval shape measuring 180 cm long, 140 cm wide, and 55 cm deep. It is surprisingly stable and will not easily capsize, even with a female boatman and three adults on board.
The tub boat moves slowly at a speed of about 3 km per hour and takes about 10 minutes to complete one round. Basically, the boat is steered by a female boatman, but you can also paddle the boat yourself if you wish.

These tub boats are still in use today, and if you are lucky, you can see them catching the marine products.