<World Cultural Heritage> Sado Travel / Sado Island Tour

The Sado Toki Conservation Center, adjacent to the park, is where the ibises are kept. The Toki Museum is a facility where you can learn about the ibises. At the adjacent Toki Fureai Plaza, you can get up close and personal with the ibises, just 2cm away!

Tarai-bune boats have been used since the Meiji period to harvest shellfish and seaweed. Anyone can enjoy a boat ride without worrying about sinking or capsizing.

Kotoura Cave is a blue cave that can only be reached by small boat. It is the largest sea cave on the Ogi Peninsula. On clear days, the surface of the sea glows blue, creating a mystical sight.

It developed as a shipping settlement during the Edo Kanbun period (1661-1678) when the Sado Gold Mine was flourishing. It has also been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government.

This scenic spot is said to rival the scenery of the Hartangerfjord in Norway, which is said to be the most spectacular in the world. It was designated an underwater park in 1971, and was selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Beaches in 1996.

A popular tourist spot that looks like two crouching turtles. Covered in green grass, this island is connected to the mainland when there are no waves, but becomes an isolated island when the tide comes in.

Onogame is known for its spectacular views of a monolith at an altitude of about 167 meters. It is also a famous scenic spot for its bright yellow Tobishima Kanzo flowers. The best time to see them is usually from late May. to early Jun..

These two rocks originate from the creation myth in the Kojiki. The rock on the right is the Husband's Rock, standing 22.6m tall, while the rock on the left is the Wife's Rock, standing 23.1m tall. These are impressive, oddly shaped rocks that are said to bring good luck in finding love.

A Nichiren sect temple, it is home to the only five-story pagoda remaining in Niigata Prefecture and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

You can learn about the history of Emperor Juntoku (exiled in 1221), Saint Nichiren (exiled in 1271), and Zeami (exiled in 1434), who were all exiled to Sado, as well as the traditional culture that has been passed down by the people of Sado Island.

This is the only facility on Sado Island where you can experience panning for gold. The gold you pan can be processed on the spot and taken home. There are plenty of materials and exhibits related to gold.

A popular tourist road that runs along the ridge of the O-Sado Mountains. You can enjoy a spectacular view of Sado while driving, and in the fall you can see the beautiful autumn leaves. The best time to see the autumn leaves is mid- to late Oct..

Manomiya Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Emperor Juntoku. It is about a 5-minute walk from the nearby Sado History and Legends Museum and can be visited.

This is the name given to the area around Mt. Otaki, Mt. Shiritate and Donden Pond. Due to years of grazing, there are almost no tall trees, and the area is also famous for its flower colonies.

At 1,172m above sea level, this is the highest peak on Sado Island. From spring to summer, there is a hiking trail where you can enjoy walking along the ridgeline, and from the summit you can see the surrounding ocean.

The Kyushu Haiyabushi drifted to Sado and underwent a unique transformation. It was brought to the Ogi area by sailors, and evolved from a parlor song into a Bon dance song, and then came to be sung at the gold mine's ore-dressing plant.

This festival is held to pray for bountiful harvests and safety for the household, and demons dance to the beat of drums. There are said to be about 120 districts of onidaiko on the island, each with their own unique dance style.

Noh has been popular on Sado Island since ancient times, and there are still over 30 Noh stages remaining today. After spreading as a form of religious ceremony, it evolved into entertainment for the villagers. Even today, Takigi Noh performances are held in various places on the island every Jun..

Snow crab is a representative winter delicacy of the Sea of Japan, usually available from Nov. to Mar.. Among them, snow crab is caught off the coast of Sado, farmed for a short period in deep ocean waters, and only those that meet a number of conditions are tagged to prove their authenticity.

In winter, you can enjoy farmed oysters from Lake Kamo and Sawane Fishing Port, and in summer, you can enjoy plump, meaty rock oysters.

The sake made from delicious rice and pure water grown in the lush natural environment of Sado is characterized by its light, dry, and refreshing taste.
Why not enjoy a tour of the sake breweries on this "island of fine sake," known only to those in the know?

Okesa persimmons are seedless and have a melting sweetness. The name comes from the Sado folk song "Sado Okesa." They are harvested from late Sep. to mid Nov.. Various processed products that make the most of the flavor of the persimmon, such as persimmon wine, persimmon sorbet, and persimmon dressing, are also popular.

The minerals that contain iron oxide and are extracted from the Sado Gold and Silver Mine are called mumyoi. These are fired at high temperatures and undergo a special process of sand polishing to produce mumyoi ware. It is a traditional Sado craft, and no two pieces are exactly alike.

This is a local gourmet dish that is thoroughly made with ingredients from Sado. The rice used is Sado City certified "Toki to Kurashigo (Koshihikari)" and the natural buri katsu is made with locally grown rice flour and dipped in a special ago dashi soy sauce sauce. The large fishing flag is proof of the certification.