Japan Trip: Exploring the Unique Charm of Sado Island #01/03

Side story

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:

佐渡ヶ島へ行く方法(2023年11月時点)
先日、新潟県の佐渡ヶ島へ行ってきました! 島系YouTuberのけえ【島育ち】さんの影響で、今、小学生では空前の佐渡ヶ島ブームのようです。 旅行から帰ってきたら「佐渡ヶ島ってどうやって行くの?」と色んな人に聞かれたので、佐渡ヶ島への行き方に...

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

This is Obasute SA

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!

Sleeping in the car after a long time

Arrival at Naoetsu Port

I finally arrived at Naoetsu Port.
There were many travelers waiting in line for the ferry.

Self-service ticket machine at Naoetsu Port

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!

Boarding the ferry!

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.

A lot of seagulls (though they’re not in the frame much!)

Apparently, they love shrimp crackers. I should have brought some!

I wandered around the ferry, exploring different areas.

The rear deck of “Kogane Maru” car ferry

This is an official maritime route!

Enjoying the “SADO ISLAND” monument

After some sightseeing on the ferry, I decided to take a quick nap in the second-class cabin.

A relaxing moment in the second-class cabin on the way to Sado Island

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 ❤️ SADO” T-shirts at Ogi Port

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.

Yajima Experience Center

This center offers the famous tarai-bune (tub boat) experience… but…

Closed for winter!

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!

Tarai-bune (tub boat) at Yajima Experience Center

Instead, I crossed the famous red bridge featured in videos.

Crossing the bridge at Yajima-Kyojima

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.

A panoramic view of Shukunegi

Charming narrow alleys of Shukunegi

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!

Ogi Marine Terminal

Enjoying grilled turban shells at Ogi Marine Terminal

The tarai-bune experience ticket counter

A corner showcasing highlights of the sightseeing boat tour

This display piqued my interest in taking a sightseeing boat,
but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time. Maybe next time!

People waiting for the tarai-bune ride

The tarai-bune boats depart from this dock.

On the dock, you can also find…

Autograph of the YouTuber “Kee [Island Life]”

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!

Trying to row the tarai-bune!

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.

Ogiya restaurant at Ogi Port

On the third floor of this building, there’s a cozy restaurant with a variety of delicious-looking dishes.

So many tempting choices!

This time, I went for the famous Sado Natural Buri Katsu Don.

Sado Natural Buri Katsu Don (1,600 yen)

This dish was also featured in the following video:

Served in a beautiful donburi bowl

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.

They even have tarai-bune displays at the terminal

Since there weren’t many people around, we had the perfect opportunity for some fun photos!

Striking a “Sado Island” pose with the map

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.

The entrance to Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park

Check out their official website for more details:

Link:
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park

The entrance to the facility

Entry Fee (Includes Gold Panning Experience)
– Adults & High School Students: 1,200 yen
– Elementary School Students: 1,000 yen

Snapping a photo of “Tonchibo-kun”

A golden statue of Daikokuten greets you upon entry

Now, onto the gold panning experience!

Panning for gold!

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!

Look! A signature from Kee【Shima Sodachi】!

Enjoying a cup of coffee

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.

A picture-perfect spot for coffee lovers

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.

This is 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!

Enjoying Igo-Neri while watching the sunset

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

Minshuku Shikishimaso (Sado Island)

Checking into our cozy stay

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!

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