Unspoiled nature, unique culture and history, marine activities, and abundant food. Let's enjoy "Sado Island" that fascinates travelers to the fullest!
Sado Island is located in the western part of Niigata Prefecture and is the second largest remote island in Japan after Okinawa. Its area is about half the size of Tokyo (excluding Tokyo's outlying islands). The vast area of Sado Island is often referred to as "the epitome of Japan," and the island offers beautiful seasonal scenery. The endlessly clear waters, historical sites such as the Sado Gold and Silver Mine, exquisite seafood and fruits, and a wide variety of other attractions will impress travelers.
Currently, the only way to reach Sado Island is by sea.
The boat ride to Sado Island is exciting and comfortable, with a view of the sparkling Sea of Japan and the cute plumage of the sea cucumbers.
How to get to Sado Island
There are two boat routes to Sado Island: (1) the Niigata - Ryotsu route and (2) the Naoetsu - Ogi route.
1. Niigata-Ryotsu route
From Sado Kisen Niigata Port in Niigata City, you can take a high-speed jetfoil or car ferry to Ryotsu Port.
SADO KISEN NIIGATA TERMINAL IS APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES FROM JR NIIGATA STATION BY BUS. FROM NIIGATA AIRPORT, IT IS APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES BY SHUTTLE BUS.
From Tokyo, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Port in about 3 hours. By car, it takes about 4 hours to reach Niigata Port via the Kan-Etsu Expressway and Hokuriku Expressway.
High Speed Jetfoil (from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port in 67 minutes)
Jetfoils are high-speed vessels that can travel at super-high speeds of 80 km/h in rough seas of 3.5 meters by raising the hull to the surface of the sea. It does not sway even in rough seas and is fast and comfortable.
| ■Jetfoil (Ginga, Tsubasa, Suisei) (Niigata - Ryotsu) 5-6 services per day, number of services and departure times vary depending on the season. Check the timetable (go to the official Sado Kisen website) |
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Car Ferry Tokiwa Maru and Okesa Maru (from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port: 150 minutes)
Those who wish to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Sea of Japan in a relaxed atmosphere or those who wish to go to Sado Island by car should choose the car ferry.
The ship is like a luxury hotel on the sea. With suites and dining rooms, you can enjoy a wonderful cruise of your choice.
| ■Car Ferry (Tokiwa Maru or Okesa Maru) (Niigata - Ryotsu) 5-6 services per day, departure times and number of services vary depending on the season. Check the timetable (Sado Kisen official website) |
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2. Naoetsu-Ogi Passage
EASY ACCESS FROM NAGANO PREFECTURE, TOYAMA AND KANAZAWA, AND THE KANSAI REGION. NAOETSU PORT IS LOCATED IN JOETSU CITY, NIIGATA PREFECTURE, AND BUSES RUN DIRECTLY TO THE PORT FROM JR JOETSU MYOKO STATION (HOKURIKU SHINKANSEN) AND JR NAOETSU STATION.
From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen and get off at Joetsu Myoko Station. The travel time to Naoetsu Port is 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours. If you use a train from Osaka, it takes 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours to get to Naoetsu Port. By car, it takes about 6 hours from Osaka to Naoetsu Port.
And from Naoetsu Port, car ferries operate to Ogi Port in the southern part of Sado Island.
Car Ferry Kogane Maru (from Naoetsu Port to Ogi Port: 160 minutes)
| ■Car Ferry (Kogane-maru) (Naoetsu - Ogi) Sailing twice a day, departure time may change depending on the season. Check the timetable (Sado Kisen official website) |
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Once you have decided to travel to Sado Island, the first step is to book a boat!
Online reservations are convenient for car ferry and high-speed boat Jetfoil boarding reservations.
Once you have decided on a trip to Sado Island, proceed with booking a boat ride.
If you wish to cross to Sado Island by your own car, make reservations early to include on-board transportation to the boat. Please note that it is especially difficult to make reservations during the high tourist season, when many reservations are made.
A car is also the best way to get around the vast island of Sado. By touring Sado Island with your own car or a rental car, you can visit a variety of tourist spots at your leisure.
Gourmet food, nature, egrets, marine sports, and spectacular scenery. Introducing ways to enjoy Sado Island.
Sado Island is full of things to do in each of the four seasons. Here are just a few of the attractions of Sado Island.
Bluefin tuna, northern bluefin tuna, cold yellowtail, abalone, turban shell, and southern shrimp.
The seafood of Sado Island is exquisite!
On Sado Island, you can taste the finest seafood from the Sea of Japan in every season. Kaisendon (seafood rice bowls), sashimi set menus, and sushi using these fresh seafood are popular at restaurants on Sado Island.
Popular Seafood Landed on Sado Island
Bluefin Tuna, Nodoguro, Snow Crab, Squid, Yellowtail, Abalone, Turban shell, Amaebi, Anglerfish, etc.
Oyster farming is also thriving at Lake Kamo on Sado Island. You can also taste delicious oysters from winter to spring.
Sake, craft beer, and fruit are also delicious!
And what to taste with the exquisite seafood is sake. There are five sake breweries on Sado Island, and sake brewery tours are a popular part of the trip.
In addition, the Nishimikawa and Ogi areas of Sado Island are active in fruit cultivation and offer delicious fruits such as persimmons, L'Ecce (a western pear), and black figs.
Many Spectacular Scenic Spots! Enjoy the magnificent nature of Sado Island!
Sado Island has an abundance of unspoiled nature and scenic spots. Registered as a Geopark, the island is interesting for its rocks and distinctive landforms brought about by volcanic activity long ago.
The endlessly clear, beautiful sea and sheer cliffs.
And it is not only the sea but also the mountains that make Sado Island so rich. Trekking at the 1117-meter-high Mount Kinpoku and Mount Donden is one of the most popular activities on Sado Island.
You can also enjoy the star-filled night sky and the beautiful sunset over the Sea of Japan.
The only island in Japan where the Toki (egret) lives.
The "Toki" (egret), a natural treasure, once became extinct in 2003. However, after repeated breeding and release of parent birds provided by China, the herons have now been restored in nature and are flying in the skies of Sado Island.
As you drive through the rural areas of Sado Island, you will see beautiful reddish egrets.
A full range of marine sports, including scuba diving and sea kayaking
Sado Island is a world-famous diving spot where you can have close encounters with giant kelp snapper. The clear blue waters are full of attractions such as underwater hot springs and shipwreck spots.
It was also featured in the 2010 French documentary film "Oceans," about sea life.
Popular diving areas within Sado Island
- Uchikaifu area (the side facing the mainland in the northern part): There is "Kitakoura and Akaiwa," which are famous for kobudai.
- Outer Sea Pref. area (northwest, outer sea side): visitors can enjoy underwater hot springs, etc.
- Ogi area (southern part): Visitors can enjoy "Kofuku Jizo," an underwater Jizo statue, and Kotoura Cave, known as the Blue Cave.
NIGHT SEA KAYAK AND NIGHT SUP" IS GAINING POPULARITY.
Night sea kayaking and SUP are popular activities on Sado Island, and have become a hot topic on Instagram and other social media.
*NIGHT SEA KAYAK & SUP IS AVAILABLE ONLY IN JAPANESE.
Sado Gold and Silver Mine and Onidaiko. Sado Island has a fascinating history and culture.
The Sado Gold and Silver Mine was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage nomination for Japan. Shukunegi, a village in a cove on the Ogi Coast, once developed as a port of call for Kitamae-bune, retains its distinctive townscape. Oni-daiko (onidaiko) and taimoku-noh (firelit Noh plays) are just a few of the many places on Sado Island where visitors can experience Japanese history and culture.
Start your trip to Sado Island by booking a boat ticket.
Sado Island has so many attractions that it is impossible to describe them all on this page, making it a fascinating island that you will want to visit again and again.
We invite you to travel to Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture.
Start your trip by booking a boat ticket for Sado Kisen Boat. Ticket reservations are conveniently made online.
Delicious gourmet food and the spectacular view of Sado Island await you.
