亮点
- Shrine rites at Oyamazumi Shrine for the old Sado gold mine
- Town-wide Okesa dance parade through Aikawa
- Fireworks over Aikawa Beach Park, Jul 26, 20:00-20:30
由来与背景
Sado Okesa descends from Kyushu's Haiya-bushi sea shanty, carried here by Edo-era kitamae-bune traders; the miners' work song 'Senko-bushi' became 'Aikawa Okesa' in 1906 and was first presented nationally as 'Sado Okesa' in 1921.
Sado Okesa Festival (officially the Kozan Matsuri, or "Mine Festival") runs July 25-26, 2026 in Aikawa, on the west coast of Sado Island. Now in its 140th year, it began as a way to thank the miners of Sado's Edo-era gold mine -- once one of the richest in the world -- and to pray for the district's continued prosperity.
The festival opens with a Shinto rite at Oyamazumi Shrine, the "mountain god" shrine that watched over the mine. From there the whole town joins in: dancers in yukata move through Aikawa's streets to the hypnotic, three-line verses of Sado Okesa -- a folk song descended from Kyushu's Haiya-bushi sea shanty, carried here by Edo-period kitamae-bune traders and reworked by miners as the "Senko-bushi" ore-refining song before being renamed "Sado Okesa" in 1921.
The festival closes on the second night with fireworks over Aikawa Beach Park (20:00-20:30 on July 26), visible along the harbor front. Sado Okesa is one of the island's three great annual festivals, alongside the Ryotsu Tanabata and Ogi Port festivals.
Getting there: take the Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port, then continue by bus or car across the island to Aikawa.
Looking for more of Japan's classic matsuri? See our guide to Japan's great regional festivals.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port, then bus or car to Aikawa on Sado's west coast.
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, music fans
温馨提示
Day-1 shrine and parade timing can shift year to year -- check the Sado tourism event calendar closer to the date; the fireworks time (Jul 26, 20:00-20:30) is fixed.
常见问题
- When is the Sado Okesa Festival in 2026?
- The festival (officially the Kozan Matsuri) runs July 25-26, 2026, in the Aikawa district on the west coast of Sado Island. The closing fireworks are on July 26, 20:00-20:30, at Aikawa Beach Park.
- Is the Sado Okesa Festival free to attend?
- Yes. The shrine rites, the town-wide Okesa dance parade, and fireworks viewing from the Aikawa waterfront are all free.
- How do I get to Aikawa for the festival?
- Take the Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port, then a bus or car across the island to Aikawa on Sado's west coast.