Sado Island

An outdoor lover's paradise

With its abundance of outdoor activities and kid-friendly attractions, Sado Island is a great place to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Couples can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with each other in the island's natural beauty and romantic atmosphere.

For adventure seekers, with 280 km of stunning coastline and an array of hiking routes, Sado Island is your ultimate playground. Sado’s mountains, formed by the uplift of the sea floor, seem to rise straight out of the ocean, offering breathtaking ridge line hikes where you’re greeted by spectacular views of the blue Sea of Japan on both sides. Encounter unique pristine forests of ancient cedars and their powerful and mysterious branching patterns. Whether you’re climbing peaks, kayaking along the rugged coastline, or discovering hidden gems tucked away in the forests, Sado Island offers endless opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Discover the Island's Rich History

Sado Island, nestled in the Sea of Japan, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant traditions, the island has been a center of gold and silver mining since the 17th century, with its famed gold mines now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sado Island also boasts a rich cultural heritage, including ancient temples, traditional Noh theater, and lively festivals such as Earth Celebration, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure.

Fresh high-quality food straight from nature

Surrounded by the Sea of Japan, Sado is blessed with an abundance of seafood all year round. The people of Sado believe in nurturing biodiversity, thus, you could not get any fresher seafood or rice. Hence, savour excellent foods prepared with the freshest seafood, rice and farm produce.  Sado rice is renowned as a top, brand-name rice, on par with Uonuma rice. Nurtured by the moderate climate of Sado and cultivated using natural methods to protect the endangered Crested Ibis bird species, the rice dishes served on Sado Island are some of the best you will ever taste.

While you're there, don't miss checking out the best of Sado's restaurants and breweries, like one of our (and Robert De Niro's) favourites, the Hokusetsu Sake Brewery.

How to get to Sado Island

Sado Island is located off the coast of Niigata prefecture. One of the easiest ways to travel and explore the island is to drive to Niigata city's port and take the ferry across to Ryotsu port on the island.

An alternative route from Tokyo is to take the Shinkansen to Niigata station and then make your way to the port. From there a high-speed jetfoil or the ferry can take you across to the island. See the Sado Kisen ferry website for details.

If you prefer to fly, Niigata airport welcomes flights from Sapporo and Sendai, with routes from Chubu and Kobe airports planned in the near future. See the Toki Air website for details.