Lying off the coast of Niigata prefecture is one of Japan’s largest islands: Sado Island.
This secluded island in the Sea of Japan is home to rich tradition/culture and incredible scenery! If you’re interested in a true cultural Japanese experience, make a visit this quaint island.
Traveling from Tokyo?
- To Niigata: Taking the JR Joestsu Shinkansen to the Niigata Station. This trip is around 2 hours and costs about 10,500 yen.
Second option: Riding a daytime or overnight highway bus for close to 6 hours (Prices vary depending on the company you select).
- To Naoestu: Taking the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joestsu Myoko Station. This trip is around 2 hours and costs about 9,000 yen. You will then need to transfer to Naoetsu Station. This will take around 15 min for about 240 yen.
How to get to Sado Island?
The island can only be accessed by ferry and there are two port towns: Ryotsu (main one that connects to Niigata City all year) and Ogi (smaller one that connects to Naoetsu outside of the winter).
There are 2 main ferry lines offered to connect to the island:
- Niigata to Ryotsu
- Sado Kisen Car Ferry
- Departures about every 3 hours
- Time of travel = 2.5 hours
- Cost of one way journey = 2,380 yen per person
- Sado Kisen Jetfoil
- Departures about every 1-2 hours
- Time of travel = 1 hour
- Cost of one way journey = 6,390 yen per person
- Sado Kisen Car Ferry
- Naoetsu to Ogi (does not operate from late Nov – Feb)
- Sado Kisen High-Speed Car Ferry
- Departures operate 1-3 ferries a day
- Time of travel = 2.5 hours
- Cost of one way = 3,780 yen per person
- Sado Kisen High-Speed Car Ferry
https://www.sadokisen.co.jp/en
How to get around Sado Island?
There is a network of bus lines to help maneuver around the island. We decided to map our travels around their route in advance of our exploration.
Sado Island Bus Map: https://www.visitsado.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Sado-Bus-Map.pdf
Sado Island Bus Schedule: https://www.visitsado.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/timetable2017.pdf
If you have a specific itinerary and don’t want your trip to be dictated by the bus schedule, there is an option to rent a car. These car rental outlets can be found predominantly around Ryotsu Port.
What to do on Sado Island?
- Toki no Mori Park
- Home to the endangered Crested Ibis
- Admission is 400 yen
- About 20 min from Ryotsu Port
- Tarai-bune (Tub boat) Rides
- Across the street from Ogi Town Information Center
- Cost 500 yen per 10 min ride – and you get to try to paddle!
- Nearby, there is a walk/hike trail along the seaside
- Sado Mine
- Senkakuwan Bay (8 am – 5:30 pm)
- Admission is 550 yen (park only)
- 15 min glass bottom boat rides for 1100 yen (park and cruise)
- Stay in a Ryokan – traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami-matted rooms
- Go in an Onsen – Hot spring
- Annual Earth Celebration (Mid-August)
