Amid discussions of “overtourism” in Japan (and past), a number of locations reliably function counterexamples. Sado Island, situated off the coast of Niigata prefecture within the Sea of Japan, is among the many first that springs to thoughts.
Not that the island isn’t price visiting. That includes bucolic rice fields, sweeping ocean views and tradition and structure that rivals wherever on the Japanese mainland, Sado-ga-shima is among the many finest locations to go to wherever in Japan.
It’s additionally comparatively tough and costly to achieve, nevertheless, which implies that only a few individuals (overseas or Japanese) make the journey. If something, Sado is exemplary of undertourism!
How one can Attain Sado Island from Niigata (and Past)
As of mid-2025, the choices for easy methods to get to Sado Island are…sobering, to say the least. Actually, there’s just one: A Shinkansen (or, in case you’re coming from someplace west of Tokyo, a number of trains) to Niigata Station; a bus from there to the Sado Kisen ferry terminal; and a high-speed jetfoil ferry from there to Sado Island’s Ryotsu Port, the place you’ll virtually definitely must hire a automobile.
In some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, a neighborhood airline known as Toki Air (named for the toki, a chook native to Sado however which I’ve by no means personally seen) will begin flying to Sado Island’s now-defunct airport, together with to and from Narita Airport close to Tokyo. Nevertheless, this was supposed to start out this month (it’s June 2025 as I’m scripting this), but there’s nonetheless not even a sign as to when these routes would possibly truly take flight.
What to Do on Sado Island
Trip a bath boat at Ogi Port
I first visited Sado in 2021, when Japan’s insane covid insurance policies (had I not been dwelling there on the time, I wouldn’t even have been in a position to enter the nation) meant the island well-known tarai-bune, or tub boats, weren’t in operation. Because of this, they have been among the many first stops I made on this journey: Each driving in a single from Ogi Port, and in addition photographing them with picturesque Yashima island within the background.
TIP: If you happen to make the journey all the best way to Ogi-ko, do your self a favor an go to Shukunegi, a preserved townscape that may take you again to the Edo interval!
Traipse amid daylilies in Onogame
In case your Sado Island itinerary occurs to be happening throughout the month of June, you then’re in luck: The island’s well-known daylilies (wasuregusa) shall be in bloom. You’ll discover these flowers in every single place on the island (and notably alongside its west coast), however essentially the most spectacular place to see them is approach up north, close to the Onogame monolith. Nevertheless, there’s additionally a patch on the Sawasakihama Lighthouse close to Shukunegi and Ogi.
Watch the solar set into the ocean
When you end at Onogame, I like to recommend that you simply spend the afternoon driving down the island’s west coast, from Senkakuwan bay, all the best way right down to the UNESCO World Heritage Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. If you happen to’re visiting in late spring or early summer season, this may will let you take pleasure in views of flooded rice paddies above the ocean—which, as you may think about, shall be particularly gorgeous at sundown.
See a firelit Noh efficiency
Whether or not on the identical day you drive the west coast or not, one in all my favourite issues to do in Sado Island is to observe Noh, and ideally firelit (Takagi) Noh-gaku. If you happen to do plan to do that, I counsel consulting the Sado Island Noh schedule, which outlines when and at which shrine (all performances happen at shrines) this may occur. You don’t want to purchase tickets upfront, however I do advocate displaying up early to be sure you get parking.
Don’t neglect the island’s inside
One main benefit of getting a second full day in Sado in 2025? I obtained to go to locations I didn’t see in 2021. These included, on the recommendation of workers at my shukubo temple keep (extra on that in a second), scenic temples corresponding to Seisui-ji and Hase-dera, which despite sharing characters with Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera and a reputation with one in all a temple in Kamakura, respectively, very a lot had their very own identities (and completely huge Sugi, or Japanese cedar bushes).
The place to Keep on Sado Island
The primary time I visited Sado, in 2021, I simply got here for the day from Niigata. Whereas that is undoubtedly potential, you probably have restricted time, I can now saying (having spent two nights right here in 2025) that multi-day journeys are a lot preferable. Sado Island is approach larger than it appears to be like on the map; points of interest and curiosities are additionally dense sufficient that it’s very price taking your time.
Now, relating to Sado Island inns, there are a number of choices. These vary from easy minshuku corresponding to Nanauraso, to luxurious inns like Lodge Oosado. I personally stayed at Gyokurin-ji, a shukubo (temple keep) situated deep throughout the island’s inside. On these dates, I occurred to be the property’s solely visitor, which meant the morning prayers and Buddhist breakfast have been much more particular than they’re, say, in Koyasan.
Different FAQ About Your Sado Island Itinerary
How do I journey to Sado Island?
To get to Sado Island as of 2025, you first must get to Niigata, both by Shinkansen (to Niigata Station) or aircraft (to Niigata Airport). Journey from both of those locations to Sado Kisen ferry terminal, the place a jet-foil (high-speed ferry) can take you to Sado’s Ryotsu Port. Sooner or later, direct flights to Sado’s now-defunct airport could also be obtainable, although no date has been set.
Is Sado Island price visiting?
Sado Island is completely, positively price visiting! Whether or not you come for native curiosities corresponding to to see a firelit Noh efficiency or experience in a tarai-bune (tub boat), or just to take pleasure in seasonal spectacles just like the daylily bloom or rice planting, Sado-ga-shima is like nowhere else in Japan.
How lengthy to spend on Sado Island?
The longest I’ve ever spent on Sado Island is 2 nights—and I undoubtedly might’ve explored extra! It’s larger than it appears to be like on the map, however past that, it’s wealthy in points of interest. There’s so much to do in each a part of the island, and it’s undoubtedly a spot you wish to discover as slowly as you may. Because of this, you probably have 3-5 nights to spend, I’d say that Sado Island is well worth the funding of money and time.
The Backside Line
Sado Island is likely one of the most underrated—and under-visited—locations in Japan. Positioned simply off the coast of Niigata within the Sea of Japan, the island is thought for verdant rice paddies (a few of them proper on the ocean), seasonal daylilies, recent seafood, one-of-a-kind cultural traditions and a few of Japan’s most picturesque Noh theater performances. Then again, it stays comparatively tough to achieve, which has each downsides (it’ll take you money and time to get there) and upsides, particularly the determined lack of vacationers. Want customized assist integrating Sado-ga-shima into your Japan journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!