Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture.
In this article, I’ll share my travel experience and highlights from this fascinating island.
About Sado Island
Sado Island is the largest island in the Sea of Japan, located off the western coast of Niigata Prefecture.
It covers an area approximately 1.5 times the size of Tokyo’s 23 wards and boasts a coastline stretching about 280 km.
With its rich nature, deep history, and unique culture, Sado Island is an ideal travel destination for those looking to experience traditional Japan.
Comparing Sado Island and Mizunami City
How does Sado Island compare to Mizunami City, my hometown?
I asked ChatGPT, but the results seemed a bit questionable…
Category | Sado Island | Mizunami City, Gifu |
---|---|---|
Population | Approx. 50,000 | Approx. 36,000 |
Area | Approx. 855 sq km | Approx. 174.9 sq km |
Main Industries | Fishing, Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Pottery Manufacturing, Agriculture, Commerce, Tourism |
Characteristics | An island surrounded by the sea, historical attractions, a town of gold mines | Beautiful natural landscapes, a center for textiles, a castle town |
Sado Island is about 4.8 times larger than Mizunami City! Quite a vast island indeed.

Sado Island vs. Mizunami City – A Size Comparison
If you travel from Hiyoshi Town in the north to Tono Town in the south of Mizunami, it would feel like crossing Sado Island from top to bottom!
Why Visit Sado Island?
The reason I decided to go was quite random.
While playing video games with my kids, a player in the voice chat kept saying, “SADOGASHIMA…” over and over.
Curious, I looked it up and found this video:
This channel is run by KEE【Island Life】, a YouTuber who shares life on remote islands.
I’ve also compiled a separate guide on how to get to Sado Island.
Check it out here:

Additionally, you can download a special “Sado Island Guide Map for Gamers” from this page:
KEE【Island Life】’s Sado Island Travel Guide (Free Download) | Sacred Pilgrimage & Sightseeing Map
Departure the Day Before
I planned to take a ferry from Naoetsu Port to Ogi Port.
However, the first ferry departs at 7:00 AM.
Leaving home on the same day would have been a major risk, so I decided to start the trip a day early.
We opted for an overnight stay in the car at a nearby service area—partly because I couldn’t budget for a hotel!
Arrival at Naoetsu Port
I finally arrived at Naoetsu Port.
There were many travelers waiting in line for the ferry.
Since I had made a reservation online, I could check in using this terminal.
The staff at Sado Kisen were incredibly helpful, making the process smooth and pleasant. Thank you!
After completing the check-in, I drove onto the ferry.
Onboard the Car Ferry “Kogane Maru”
Boarding went smoothly, and I was relieved to be on the ferry without any issues.
The first stop was the observation deck, which had a fantastic view of the sea.
There, I noticed a flock of seagulls flying alongside the ferry.
Apparently, they love shrimp crackers. I should have brought some!
I wandered around the ferry, exploring different areas.

Enjoying the “SADO ISLAND” monument
After some sightseeing on the ferry, I decided to take a quick nap in the second-class cabin.
The view of the Sea of Japan from the window was breathtaking.
Arriving at Ogi Port, Sado Island
After approximately 2.5 hours, we arrived at Ogi Port.
Being able to drive off the ferry immediately was super convenient, but the port’s souvenir shop caught my attention.
So, I made a quick stop to check it out.
I hesitated but ultimately didn’t buy one… I need more courage!
At the Ogi Port shop, they sell Sado’s local rice, sake, and dairy products.
It’s a great place to grab souvenirs, and surprisingly, you can even find Muji (MUJI) products here!
Visiting Yajima-Kyojima
I had carefully planned my itinerary before the trip.
The first sightseeing spot was Yajima-Kyojima.
This center offers the famous tarai-bune (tub boat) experience… but…
Unfortunately, the Yajima Experience Center is closed from November 1 to March 31. _(┐「ε:)_
I had been looking forward to trying the transparent-bottom tarai-bune here,
but I guess I’ll have to wait for another opportunity… At least I took some photos!
Instead, I crossed the famous red bridge featured in videos.
Yajima-Kyojima is featured in this video:
Exploring Shukunegi
Shukunegi is a historic settlement that flourished as a port town.
The unique townscape has a distinct charm, making it a must-visit location on Sado Island.
I didn’t have a chance to stay overnight, but Shukunegi has several guesthouses and dining spots.
For more details, check out their official website:
Reference:
Shukunegi Official Website
Ogi Marine Terminal
If the Yajima-Kyojima tarai-bune experience is closed for the season, don’t worry—
you can still enjoy it at Ogi Marine Terminal!
This display piqued my interest in taking a sightseeing boat,
but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time. Maybe next time!
The tarai-bune boats depart from this dock.
On the dock, you can also find…
Tarai-bune Ride Experience
The long-awaited tarai-bune ride!
It was surprisingly thrilling as the boat rocked quite a bit.
Fans of Kee [Island Life] will love this—it even includes an opportunity to row the boat yourself!
Rowing was much harder than expected—I struggled to move forward at all!

A “Gashimar” who leveled up after the tarai-bune experience (Source:
Kee [Island Life] Sado Island Travel Journal)
Enjoying Buri Katsu Don for Lunch
After the exciting tarai-bune experience, it was time for lunch!
We headed back to Ogi Port to find a good meal.
On the third floor of this building, there’s a cozy restaurant with a variety of delicious-looking dishes.
This time, I went for the famous Sado Natural Buri Katsu Don.
This dish was also featured in the following video:
I was curious about the bowl used for this dish, but I couldn’t find it in any restaurant supply catalogs…
If anyone knows, please let me know!
There are some similar patterned bowls available at this site.
Exploring Ogi Port Terminal
After lunch, we took a quick stroll around Ogi Port Terminal.
Since there weren’t many people around, we had the perfect opportunity for some fun photos!
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park
Our next stop was Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park,
where you can try your hand at gold panning—an activity deeply rooted in Sado’s history.
Check out their official website for more details:
Entry Fee (Includes Gold Panning Experience)
– Adults & High School Students: 1,200 yen
– Elementary School Students: 1,000 yen
Now, onto the gold panning experience!
The goal is to sift through the sand and collect small specks of gold.
The staff were very kind and provided clear instructions, making it an enjoyable experience.
Once you get started, it’s easy to lose track of time!

The gold I managed to collect!
You can take home the gold you collect as a souvenir!
This attraction was also featured in this video:
Shima Fumi Café – A Hidden Gem on Sado Island
Next, we visited Shima Fumi, a charming café that even hosted YouTuber Kee【Shima Sodachi】 as a one-day manager.
I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture of the exterior!
The cup was absolutely adorable! If I remember correctly, it was a Polish pottery mug.
Shima Fumi’s terrace offers an incredible view, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the peaceful scenery.
Watching the Sunset While Enjoying Igo-Neri
After visiting some local shops featured in Kee【Shima Sodachi】’s videos, we decided to watch the sunset at Ameya Pier.
Be careful when walking on the pier—it has gaps between the wooden planks, so if you drop your phone, it might fall straight into the sea!
If you plan to eat Igo-Neri while traveling, make sure to bring:
– A small container
– Chopsticks
– Soy sauce
– Scissors
The taste? Imagine eating condensed seaweed—it has a deep umami flavor that pairs well with soy sauce.
Staying the Night at Minshuku Shikishimaso
That wrapped up our first full day on Sado Island.
We stayed at Minshuku Shikishimaso, a cozy Japanese-style inn.
Minshuku Shikishimaso (Sado Island)
After a long and exciting day of exploring Sado Island, it was time to rest.
Looking forward to more adventures tomorrow!
That’s a Wrap for Day 1!
This concludes Day 1 of our 3-day journey on Sado Island.
Stay tuned for the next part of the trip!
コメント