Printable Sites Overview Itinerary & Daily Costs
Sado Island
Day 2
August 1, 2022
Sado, island, western Niigata ken (prefecture), central Japan, in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), 32 miles (51 km) west of Honshu. It faces Niigata, the prefectural capital, across the Sado Strait. With an area of 331 square miles (857 square km), it is the fifth largest Japanese island. Sado is crowned by two parallel mountain chains; its topography includes dramatic precipices and ravines, mountain streams, and Lake Kamō.
Sado was long widely known as a place of exile. Among the statesmen and scholars banished there were the emperor Juntoku, after his revolt in 1220 against the shikken (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate, and the 13th-century Buddhist priest and reformer Nichiren.
The island’s economy is based on rice cultivation and fishing. Tourists are attracted by Sado’s romantic associations, mild climate, beautiful flowers (camellias, rhododendrons), and attractive landscape. The island is also known throughout Japan for its melancholy ballads and folk dance known as okesa. Once performed only by men sentenced to work in the island’s gold mines, the dance is now also performed by women. Ryōtsu, between the eastern shore and Lake Kamō, is the only city. The centre of fishing and administration, it serves as an outer port for Niigata. Aikawa is the largest town on the western coast. Aikawa experienced a gold rush during the Meiji period (1868–1912), and the population once reached 100,000. (Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2013, March 22). Sado. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Sado)
Sado Island Adventure
A Bike tour is the perfect way to see the sites on Sado Island, especially when they are electric bikes! Riding west along the southern coast of Sado you will find many interesting views and historical sites. As you turn north to return to Ogi Port, you will have the opportunity to ride through the beautiful forests and farmland of Sado.
Sado Island Taiko
Sado Island Taiko Centre is run by Kodo Cultural Foundation, located on the hill in the neighbourhood of Kodo Village. The spacious hall constructed using Sado-produced timber produces joyful resonance. Tatakokan is home to two huge taiko drums that were hand-carved from an enormous 600-year-old keyaki (Japanese zelkova) log. “Taiko Experience” programs led by the Taiko Centre’s instructors and a range of other events are on offer.
Which adventure you choose will decide your day
on Sado Island!
