A Tarai Bune or tub-turned boat is a traditional Japanese fishing boat found mainly on Sado Island and used for catching Abalone and other mollusks. The design originated from need to fish in the narrow coves formed by earthquakes.
Tarai Bune boats have appeared in:
Spirited Away - Animated Movie
Skies Of Arcadia - Video Game by Sega
Tarai Bune of Sado Island[1].
Article about saving the tub-turned boat by teaching children how to use them[2].