Sado Island Part 3: Exciting things to see and do!

There are many things to experience and places to explore on Sado Island. You can go bird watching for the very rare Japanese Crested Ibis (朱鷺 Toki) in the paddy fields, go fishing by the coast, or even visit a rabbit temple! Here are some of my top picks:

 

Take a ride in a tub boat (たらい舟 Taraibune)

Taraibune experience at Yajima Taiken Koryukan. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Ghibli animation fans would definitely recognise this boat from the animation “Spirited Away” (千と千尋の神隠し Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi). The taraibune was and is still to this day used for fishing in rocky coastal waters to pick shellfish and seaweed.

 

Taraibune experience at Rikiya Kanko Kisen. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

It is possible to take a joy ride in a taraibune at three locations: Yajima Experience & Exchange Centre (矢島体験交流館Yajima Taiken Kōryūkan), Rikiya Kanko Kisen (力屋観光汽船 Rikiya Kankō Kisen), and Shukunegi (宿根木).

 

Taraibune experience at Shukunegi. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Each of these locations has its own unique feature so do try them all out if you have the time. It seems easy when you watch the skippers manoeuvre the boat, but when you try it out for yourself, you’ll find yourself going around in circles, neither moving forward nor backwards. Worry not! The skippers would be rowing you around, so you need not worry about not being able to enjoy your ride. You can most definitely ask to try your hand at it during the experience.

 

Yajima Experience & Exchange Centre (矢島体験交流館)
Address: 365-1 Ogi, Sado, Niigata, 952-0605
Opening hours: April to October 08:00–17:00 (Closed on 21 October and November to March)
Admission fee: ¥600/Adult, ¥400/Child
Tel: +81-0259-86-2992

 

Rikiya Kanko Kisen (力屋観光汽船)
Address: 1935 Ogimachi, Sado, Niigata, 952-0604
Opening hours: March to Early October 08:20–17:00
             Late October to Early November 08:20–16:30
             Late November to February 08:20–16:00
Admission fee: ¥500/Adult, ¥300/Child
Tel: +81-0259-86-3153

 

Shukunegi (宿根木)
Address: 393 Shukunegi, Sado, Niigata, 952-0612
Opening hours: April to Early November 09:00–18:00 (Closed Late November to March)
Admission fee: ¥800/Adult, ¥500/Child
Tel: +81-090-4835-5446

 

Play with adorable rabbits at Chokokuji Temple (長谷寺 Chōkokuji)

New born rabbits. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Not to be mistaken for Hasedera Temple (長谷寺 Hasedera) in Nara, Chokokuji is one of Sado’s ancient temples and was built to resemble Hasedera. Chokokuji is known to be a rabbit temple for having rabbits roaming freely around the temple premises. Why, you may ask? It is a way for the temple to get rid of weeds naturally, in addition to its tourism appeal.

 

Usagi Kannon at Chokokuji. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Another interesting feature about this temple is that it has two rabbit statues　(ウサギ観音 Usagi Kannon) erected, with red laser beams coming out from its eyes in the evening. The rabbit statue is supposedly said to mimic the Merlion that we have in Singapore!

 

Cuddling a baby rabbit. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

If you ever bump into the priest of the temple, do be ready to catch the baby rabbits that he would pull out from his robe pockets. Do try out some of the unique experiences that is being offered at the temple such as Zen meditation (座禅 zazen) and coffin experience (暗闇体験 kurayami taiken).

 

The stairway leading up to the temple. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Chokokuji Temple (長谷寺)
Address: 13 Hase, Sado, Niigata, 952-0204
Opening hours: Always open
Admission fee: Free (Experience fees charged separately)
Tel: +81-0259-66-2052

 

Try your hand at playing a taiko!

Taiko experience for the whole family. (Image credit: Takamoto Sho)

 

Home to world-renowned taiko ensemble Kodo, come experience playing the different kinds of taiko drums at Sado Island Taiko Centre (佐渡太鼓体験交流館 Sado Taiko Taiken Kōryūkan), also affectionately known as Tatakokan. Tatakokan is home to two giant drums hand carved from a 600-year-old zelkova tree by the Kodo members, as well as many smaller drums.

 

Very fun instructors leading the Taiko experience. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Try beating the drums along with the very friendly instructor and feel the reverberations echo through your body. Also, you will be treated to a performance by a professional instructor. This is definitely one activity that can be enjoyed by all ages.

 

Sado Island Taiko Centre (佐渡太鼓体験交流館)
Address: 150-3 Ogi Kanetashinden, Sado, Niigata, 952-0611
Opening hours: 09:00–17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Admission fee: ¥2,000/Adult, ¥1,000/Child (Age 12 and below)
Tel: +81-0259-86-2320

 

Explore the history of the most productive mine in Japan

Striving to attain UNESCO World Heritage status, Sado Kinzan Gold Mine (佐渡金山 Sado Kinzan) was the most productive mine in Japan, producing around 400kg of gold and small amounts of copper and silver. There are a collective group of sites for you to explore – Kitazawa Flotation Plant (北沢選鉱場 Kitazawa Senkōba), Nishimikawa Gold Park (西三川ゴールドパークNishimikawa Gōrudo Pāku), and the Sado Gold Mine.

 

Kitazawa Flotation Plant at sunset. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

The Kitazawa Flotation Plant is where the final process of the gold extraction process takes place and it is often said to resemble Ghibli animation’s “Castle in the Sky” (天空の白ラピュタTenkū no Sora Rapyuta).

 

Panned gold dust which can be brought home as a souvenir. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Nishimikawa Gold Park is where you can experience panning for gold and there are three different courses – beginner, intermediate, and advanced. There is an exciting activity for all ages and you even get to keep the gold which you have panned!

 

Animatronics in the Sōdayū Tunnel. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Sado Gold Mine has two tunnels which are open to the public – Sōdayū Tunnel (宗太夫坑 Sōdayū-kō) and Dōyū Tunnel (道遊坑Dōyū-kō). The Sōdayū Tunnel features animated robots which depict the conditions of the mines during the Edo era (1603–1868), and the Dōyū Tunnel displays relics of industrialisation and modernisation of the mines during the Meiji era (1868–1912).

 

Relic of the technology used at the Dōyū Tunnel site. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

There is also an archives museum (資料館Shiryōkan) which houses miniature-scale mining activities as well as an opportunity for you to touch a 12.5kg pure gold bar. Successfully removing the gold bar from the case would earn you a small prize.

 

 

Mountain split into two by hand. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Kitazawa Flotation Plant (北沢選鉱場)
Address: 3-2 Aikawa Kitazawamachi, Sado, Niigata, 952-1539

 

Nishimikawa Gold Park (西三川ゴールドパーク)
Address: 835-1 Nishimikawa, Sado, Niigata, 952-0434
Opening hours: 08:30–17:00 (May–August, March–April)
             09:00–16:30 (December–February)
Admission fee: ¥800/Adult, ¥700/Child (Age 12 and below)
Tel: +81-0259-58-2021

 

Sado Kinzan Gold Mine (佐渡金山)
Address: 1305 Shimoaikawa, Sado, Niigata, 952-1501
Opening hours: 08:00-17:30 (April–October)
             08:00-17:00 (November–March)
Admission fee: Sōdayū Tunnel ¥900/Adult, ¥450/Child (Age 15 and below)
             Dōyū Tunnel ¥900/Adult, ¥450/Child (Age 15 and below)
             Dōyū and Sōdayū Tunnel ¥1,400/Adult, ¥700/Child (Age 15 and below)
Tel: +81-0259-74-2389

 

Beautiful scenery to expect

Sado Island is home to beautiful coastlines and dramatic cliffs. Take a drive around the island and discover a side of Sado Island unique to your experience. Definitely an island with many Instagram-able spots.

 

View of the coast from Hanezaka (跳坂 Hanezaka). (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Hanezaka (跳坂)
Address: Iwayaguchi, Sado, Niigata 952-2201

 

Very dramatic cliffs at Senkakuwan Bay (尖閣湾 Senkakuwan). (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Senkakuwan Bay (尖閣湾)
Address: Kita-ebisu - Himezu Sado, Niigata 952-2133

 

Beautiful sunset at Sawata Beach (佐和田海岸Sawata Kaigan). (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Sawata Beach (佐和田海岸)
Address: Kawaharada Honmachi, Sado, Niigata 952-1314

 

Clear blue waters at Shukunegi. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Shukunegi (宿根木)
Address: 393 Shukunegi, Sado, Niigata 952-0612

 

Sunrise from Iwakubi Terraced Rice Fields (岩首升竜棚田 Iwakubi Shōryu Tanada). (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Iwakubi Terraced Rice Fields (岩首升竜棚田)
Address: 393 Shukunegi, Sado, Niigata 952-0612

 

Sado Island is sometimes called Flower Island. There are many kinds of flowers that bloom throughout the island. In June, the island is spotted with golden nuggets as the Amur Daylilies (トビシマカンゾウ Tobishima Kanzō) and Iwayuri Lilies (岩百合 Iwayuri) bloom.

 

Amur Daylilies

The best location to view the Amur Daylilies is at Ōnogame (大野亀), a 167m monolith with a two-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

 

Tobishima Kanzo at monolith Ōnogame. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

The flowers here bloom in the hundreds of thousands and are definitely a beautiful sight to behold. Of course, these flowers can also be seen around the island, but not in such big numbers.

 

Onogame (大野亀)
Address: Negai, Sado, Niigata, 952-3203

 

Iwayuri Lilies

These flowers are an interesting sight to behold. Blossoming on the ground and even on rocks, keep your eyes peeled as they may seem similar to the Amur Daylilies.

 

Iwayuri lilies at Mourazaki Park. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

The Iwayuri Lilies are more orange in colour and is best viewed at Mourazaki Park (藻浦崎公園 Mourazaki Kōen).

 

Mourazaki Park (藻浦崎公園)
Address: Kita-katabe, Sado, Niigata, 952-2225

 

How to get around the island

There are four ways to get around the island – rental car, bicycle, public bus, or hiring a taxi. I would personally recommend travelling around by rental car as it is a lot more convenient.

 

Rental car

There are many rental car companies which are located around the port, so it is very convenient to rent a car. Making a reservation online before coming to Sado Island would be recommended. Alternatively, if you are coming from another location before coming to Sado Island and have rented a car, you will be able to “ship” the car over on board the Car Ferry for a fee. A nice thing to note about parking in Sado Island is that most parking lots are free.

 

Cars with a “わ” on the number plate indicates that it’s a rental car. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Bicycle

There are bicycles for rent at the port and certain hotels and they are called Eco-dacchari. If you would like to explore just a particular area without the use of a rental car, this would be recommended as you will be able to cycle into smaller paths and roads without having to worry about looking for parking. Another plus point is that it is great for the environment! Take a leisurely ride around the island and enjoy the beautiful nature and scenery that Sado Island is surrounded by.

 

Travelling around the island the eco-friendly way. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

Public Bus  

Taking the bus is a great way to leisurely explore the island. The buses go to most of the main tourist attractions but a thing to note would be that the bus frequency is very low. If you’re pressed for time, definitely avoid taking the bus.

 

Local route bus. (Image credit: Jasper Soh)

 

Taxi

If you would like to just relax without having to worry about driving or missing the bus, you can opt to hire a taxi which would take you wherever you would like to go. This is the priciest option out of the four.

 

Taxi. (Image credit: Sado City)

 

I hope you enjoyed the Sado Island series. There’s so much more to Sado Island and I could just go on writing and writing. Come on over to Sado Island if you ever have the chance and you will not be disappointed!

 

How to get to Sado Island

To get to Sado Island, you will need to take a bullet train to JR Niigata Station (新潟駅). JR Niigata Station is approximately a 2-hour bullet train ride from JR Tōkyo Station (東京駅) on the Jōetsu Shinkansen Line (上越新幹線). From the station, take a 15-minute bus ride or 5-minute taxi ride to Sado Kisen Niigata Port (佐度汽船新潟港).

 

Purchase your ferry ticket and you’re all set to go to Sado Island. There are two options – Car Ferry or Jetfoil. The Car Ferry would take 2.5 hours to get to Sado Island while the Jetfoil would take about 1 hour.

 

The JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area). (Image credit: JR East)

 

I would definitely recommend taking the Car Ferry if you are not pressed for time as you will be able to enjoy the sea breeze and occasionally spot some dolphins swimming alongside the boat.

 

If you have purchased the JR EAST PASS (Nagano, Niigata area), you will be eligible to purchase the SADO-NIIGATA PASS which costs ¥5,000 and will save you up to 40% as it includes round-trip ferry tickets as well as bus passes which can be used in both Niigata City and Sado Island. For more information, please click here.

 

For more information about Sado Island

If you would like to find out more about Sado Island, like and follow our Facebook page, or explore the Sado Tourism website.

 

Header image credit: Jasper Soh

 

Related Articles

• Sado Island: A miniature Japan floating in the Sea of Japan
• Sado Island Part 2: Foodies unite!
• Cruising along the Sea of Japan with the KAIRI

 

Writer's profile:

Jasper Soh

A Singaporean living the island life on Sado Island who loves eating so much that she can probably out-eat a man. Loves the ocean and nature, and you’ll probably find her covered in dirt from rolling around in grass, or covered in sea salt from spending so much time near the sea.