Sado is no longer a land of exile and forced labour. Given that those exiled here were often highly cultured and open-minded (aristocrats, artists etc.), today the island enjoys an active cultural scene and constitutes a dynamic hub of manifestations of Japanese traditions. Noh theatre, puppets, and Kodo drummers thrive on this patch of land in the middle of the Sea of Japan. The island's three main urbanised areas are Ryotsu, Mano and Ogi.