Sado Island (佐渡島) is the largest island in the Sea of Japan, and it is famous for being the sole island with sea mines. Mount Oosado and Mount Kosado stretch from the northeast to the southwest, with the Sado Grain Field Plain lying between these two mountains.
To the north of Oosado lies the Sado Range, and to the west, the Toyama Ship Pond. The area extending from the Itouigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line via the western part of Sado Island all the way to the vicinity of Oshima Island in Hokkaido is called the Japan Sea Eastern Zone, famed for its common seismic hobby.
Influenced by ocean currents (such as the Tsushima Warm Current), Sado Island reviews cooler summers and milder winters compared to the mainland. Due to its precise herbal environment, a variety of flowers and marine life flourishes right here. Much of the island's territory is targeted as a country-wide park or prefectural herbal park, with a mysterious pond nestled within the mountains containing Japan's biggest highland wetland floating island.
Sado Island Map
| Name | Sado Island (Japanese: 佐渡島) |
| Country | Japan |
| Prefecture | Niigata |
| Coordinates | 38°04′03″N 138°23′51″E |
| Area | 854.76 km2 (330.02 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC +9 |
| Population | 55,212 |
| Airport | Sado Airport (SDS) |
How to Get to Sado Island
To get to Sado Island, you first need to arrive at Niigata Port, and there are three methods to get there:
- Take the Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Niigata Station (89 minutes), then take a scheduled bus or a taxi to Niigata Port (10-25 minutes).
- The 2nd option is by plane, which flies to Niigata Airport from places along with Narita Airport, Osaka Airport, or other big cities. Opting for an LCC can offer more budget-pleasant fares. (Search airline: https://www.skyscanner.com)
- Alternatively, you could rent a car to drive to Niigata Port. While this adventure can be tiring, the advantage is that you may revel in sightseeing or appreciate the scenery along the way.
Once arriving at Niigata Port, take a ferry to Sado Island. You can select between a regular ferry (150 minutes) or a high-speed ferry (67 minutes), with the latter being a piece more highly-priced. Finally, we arrived on the lovely Sado Island. (Sado Kisen: https://www.sadokisen.co.jp/en/ )
Best Things to Do on Sado Island
Obata Shuzo
About a 30-minute force from Tsutsu Port or a 5-minute stroll from Mano Shinmachi Bus Stop lies Manotsuru Brewery, hooked up in 1892, renowned for its famous sake logo Manotsuru. It is also referred to as the primary sake brewery in Niigata Prefecture to offer tours. Today, you may watch the sake brewing technique anytime through video and enjoy tasting Manotsuru sake.
Additionally, at the Gakko Sakejo, a former school converted right into a brewery, special activities like restrained-potential tours and the "Gakko Sakejo Special Course" are held every June.
Sado Rekishi Densetsukan
Emperor Juntoku, Nichiren, and Zeami. In addition to life-sized robots that guide you through the sorrowful stories of these significant figures exiled from Kyoto and the legends and folklore of Sado,
You can also view the works of Shodo Sasaki, a Living National Treasure and master wax modeler.
金福(きんぷく)
金福(きんぷく) is a famous yakitori restaurant that irresistibly beckons across the ocean. Here, you can savor authentic charcoal-grilled skewers in a dimly lit, bar-like interior with indirect lighting. The seating is limited to the counter, and reservations are not accepted. It is one of the most popular restaurants in Aikawa, always bustling with patrons, so whether you get to eat there depends on your luck for the day.
In addition to the standard menu featuring regular meats, gizzards, and cartilage, many locals gather to enjoy the daily specials. Besides Sado's beer and sake, there is also a selection of wines perfectly paired with the dishes.
Senkakuwan Bay
Senkakuwan Bay features a magnificent landscape created by the fierce winds and waves of the Sea of Japan in winter, with a series of cliffs reaching heights of about 20 meters. The view is dynamic, both from a distance and up close!
Take a ride on the glass-bottom sightseeing boat to admire the intricate and steep rocks extending into the sea!
Onogame and Futatsugame
The common feature of Onogame and Futatsugame is the overwhelming power of nature. From late May to early June, Onogame is adorned with a vast bloom of Hemerocallis middendorffii. In summer, Futatsugame’s crystal-clear waters make it one of Japan's top 100 bathing beaches, beloved by locals and visitors alike. It perpetually captivates people.
The expansive Futatsugame Beach has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 swimming beaches. Together with nearby Onogame, it has earned two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. The area also features a campsite, and during the summer season, when the sea is open for swimming, it is packed with visitors.
Sado nishimikawa gold park
The Nishimikawa gold dust mine is said to have been discovered during the Heian period. Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park is a place where you can learn about the history of the gold dust mine, with information and videos related to gold, and even experience gold panning yourself. It is ideal for school trips and family outings.
Lake Kamo
A 4-minute drive from Tsutsu Port or a 3-minute walk from the Sado Kisen Bus Stop at Tsutsu Port brings you to Lake Kamo, the largest lake in Niigata Prefecture, with a circumference of approximately 17 kilometers. Originally a freshwater lake, it was converted right into a salty lake related to the ocean in 1903 by widening the lake's mouth to prevent flooding.
The lakeshore has a promenade and bicycle paths where you can experience the picturesque scenery celebrated in poetry, considering historical times. Oyster farming is also famous right here, and the Kamo Lake Oyster Festival is held in spring, where oysters are prepared in numerous methods.
Osado Skyline
A 15-minute drive from Tsutsu Port takes you to the Oosado Skyline, a scenic course connecting Kanai and Aikawa, stretching approximately 30 kilometers. This pressure gives panoramic views of Sado Island, with its maximum factor exceeding 900 meters in elevation. From there, you can see Mano Bay, Tsutsu Bay, the Kuninaka Plain, and the Kosado Mountain Range, with the island's landscapes changing with the seasons.
At the Shirakumodai Exchange Center, which features stores and a statement deck, you could rest and revel in the views. The autumn foliage is particularly outstanding from past due October to early November. The street has been closed to visitors since late November during the iciness season.
Chokokuji
Chokokuji was founded in 807, the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism, and is home to the Three Eleven-Faced Kannon statues, designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, believed to be crafted by Kobo Daishi. These sacred statues are unveiled every 33 years.
Throughout the year, the temple grounds are adorned with blooming flowers, offering a tranquil and uplifting experience for worshippers.
Shiawase Jizo Statue
The Shiawase Jizo Statue stands at the foot of Mount Togami, overlooking the Shukunegi region. This tremendous Jizo Bodhisattva, along with its pedestal, reaches a height of 17.5 meters and is said to be the biggest of its type in Japan. Its astounding presence amidst the lush greenery makes it a striking sight. The statue was constructed in 1982 to fulfill a grand want for building a Jizo Bodhisattva, and it was finished the following year.
Behind the vast Jizo stands a hall committed to the Bodhisattva, housing several Jizo statues. Nearby, a 2-meter-long Jizo statue submerged inside the sea can also be determined, reflecting the big veneration of the Jizo Bodhisattva throughout Sado.
Daizen Shrine
Daizen Shrine's genuine founding date is uncertain. However, it is said to have originated all through the past due to the duration of Kamakura. At the same time, the nearby governor Hono Masayama, collectively with the nobleman Hino Suketomo, enshrined the deity along with Daizenbo. Legend has it that he turned into an advocate to appease the vengeful spirit of Daizenbo, who was carried out for assisting Suketomo's son, Akinomaru, in escaping.
One great feature of the shrine is its surviving ancient Noh level, believed to be the oldest in Sado. The Togiwaki Noh and the Egret Kyougen, each part of the "Sado's Four Major Noh Stages," are still done right here. The reflect panel depicts a pine tree with a solar disc, an unprecedented fashion discovered only at Omae Shrine.
Tassha Beach
The name of this beach originates from the folk tale "Yamashiro Taibu," where a mother and the tides meet again and rejoice in each other's skills. This tranquil bay is situated at a corner of Sengaku Bay and is known for its exceptionally high transparency.
Protected by dams and breakwaters, even on days with rough waves, you can enjoy a relatively calm sea experience. It's a famous beach crowded with families and young people during the season. As it is a pebble beach, wearing flip-flops is recommended.
Hangamura Museum and Gallery
The Hangamura Museum and Gallery is a private art museum located on Kyomachi Street in the historic Sado Kinzan area. This splendid building with red tiles was formerly the Sokawa Temporary Court.
It exhibits the works of the late Shinichi Takahashi, founder of Hangamura Print Village, as well as works by other members of the print village. Please note that the museum is closed from December to February, so take care when planning your visit.
Sado Island Hotels
"Tabino Hotel Sado" was created as a base for active travelers. Our goal is to create a new type of "warm lifestyle hotel" by integrating innovation to make it easy to use, unlike formal or uniform business hotels. Located in the center of the island, the Tabino Hotel Sado's most significant charm lies in its convenient transportation. You can enjoy delicious cuisine prepared with a variety of Sado ingredients, as well as a large bath using deep seawater from Sado, providing you with a comfortable space and a delightful stay experience.
It was established as a restaurant during the Ansei era (1854-1860). This historic inn is the birthplace of the Sado Kamo Lake Onsen. The scenery of Lake Kamo and Mt. Odo changes with the seasons, presenting a spectacular view. We also recommend enjoying the sunset from the outdoor bath. Dinner features kaiseki cuisine made with Sado seafood.
Sado National Park Hotel Oosado
A new Japanese-style inn that combines elegance with modern functionality, built on a small hill in Kasugasaki, overlooking the Sea of Japan and the hot springs of Doto. Despite being a large hotel, it is renowned for its attentive service. The expansive dining room offers views of the azure sea, sunsets from the open-air baths, folk song performances from May to October (only on Saturdays), and delectable cuisine prepared with seasonal Sado ingredients. This hotel allows you to experience the charm of the island entirely.
Founded in 1925 in the old Sokawa-machi district of Hada, the Japanese restaurant "Azuman" is renowned as the "closest lodge to the sunset" because of its vicinity at the westernmost end of the northern Sado Mountains. Guests can revel in remarkable sunset views over the Nanaura coastline from the general public baths and guest rooms. The status quo boasts a 7,000-tsubo grassy lawn presenting memorials to the haiku poet Seiko Yamaguchi and the historic mound of Iwatsuka, perfect for strolls along the beach promenade. This long-standing eating place, located on a hill in the Seaside National Park, is famous for its non-public open-air baths and rooms with outside baths.
Best Time to Visit Sado Island
April to June: Spring in Sado is tranquil and pleasant. Cherry blossoms bloom, the breeze is fantastic, and there are many sunny days, making it an ideal place to spend leisure time.
July to August: In the rich natural environment of Sado, it doesn't feel boiling even until midnight, and there are many mornings and evenings with slightly cool temperatures.
September to November: As September approaches, the daytime heat lingers, but mornings and evenings can be comfortably spent without air conditioning. During this time, unless there is a typhoon, there are not many thunderstorms, and cancellations of boats are rare.
December to March: Winter in Sado is generally cold, but there are ski resorts in Sado. Why not give it a try? When snow melts, roads can become slippery.
