【新潟・絶景】一生に一度は訪れたい佐渡島｜世界遺産と歴史・自然を巡る2泊3日19スポットの旅

【新潟・絶景】一生に一度は訪れたい佐渡島｜世界遺産と歴史・自然を巡る2泊3日19スポットの旅

Hello, this is Ikeno Ueno. This time, I’m traveling to Sado Island in Niigata. It’s the largest island on the Sea of ​​Japan coast, offering history, nature, and gourmet food. I’m visiting this “once-in-a-lifetime island” by boat. There are two routes to Sado Island from Honshu. The first is the Naoetsu-Ogi route, a 2-hour, 40-minute car ferry ride. The other is the Niigata-Ryotsu route. In addition to the car ferry, a jetfoil also operates. This time, I took the Niigata-Ryotsu jetfoil. The outbound journey departs on the 11:30 AM jetfoil. This flight will allow you to make it if you depart Tokyo or Osaka between 8 AM and 11 AM. Niigata Port, Sado Kisen Terminal. The return flight departs Ryotsu Port at 11:15 AM. I’m looking forward to seeing how much I can see in three days. It’s no exaggeration to say that Sado’s history began with this gold mine. Two mine tunnel courses are open to the public at Sado Gold Mine. In 1601, the discovery of a gold vein brought the area under direct control of the shogunate, and in 1603, the Sado Magistrate’s Office was established there. For over 400 years, it has supported the prosperity of Edo as Japan’s largest gold and silver mine. Experience modern mechanized mining at the Doyuko Mine. Stepping inside the tunnels brings back the sounds of the miners of the time. The machinery factory remains as it was when the mine was in operation. The Doyuko Mine’s symbol, Doyu no Warito, can be seen on the Doyuko Mine Course. This is the remains of a mining operation from the early Edo period. The mine was dug into a huge gold vein, creating a V-shaped split in the mountain. The split is approximately 30 meters wide and 74 meters deep, creating a magnificent mining site brimming with romance. And then there’s the hand-dug Sotayu Mine, opened in the early Edo period. It’s the largest ore vein in Sado. Dolls recreate the scene from back then, allowing you to immerse yourself in the feelings of the miners who worked there. This is an important spot you should visit first when you come to Sado. You can even touch a giant gold nugget. It’s worth 200 million yen! I tried to bring it home, but it didn’t work out. The Sado Gold Mine opened in 1601. Time passed, and with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War in 1937, a large-scale ore-dressing facility was constructed by 1940. Using the then-advanced technology of “flotation,” the ore-dressing plant boasted the highest production volume in history. The facility was closed in 1952, and now only the concrete structure remains. It was once known as “the largest flotation plant in the Orient.” The lush vegetation has earned it the nickname “Sado Island’s Laputa.” Since it was a 10-minute walk from my lodging, I returned at night. A symbol of modern heritage illuminated by moonlight , it is illuminated for a limited time from April to January. It’s a modern heritage site reminiscent of contemporary art. This mysterious, breathtaking view can only be seen if you stay overnight on Sado Island. Senkaku Bay is one of Sado’s most scenic spots. It was the location for the 1953 film “Your Name.” This bridge became famous thanks to the filming. The view from here is one of the best on the island. A sightseeing boat operates here. Passing through a projection mapping cave, you reach the boarding gate. You can feel the dynamism of nature. Each boat accommodates 12 people. The cruise lasts approximately 15 minutes. Senkaku Bay is a collection of five small bays stretching along a coastline of approximately 3 km. I had been driving along the coastline until just now, but I never imagined such a view would unfold. The floor is made of glass. You can see black porgy. Admission is 500 yen, or 1600 yen with the boat ride. This is the last spot of the first day. We arrived just in time for sunset. A rock nestled perfectly between two huge boulders. The black rock surface bathed in the setting sun and the pale pink sea. The silhouette created by the setting sun resembles a black jewel. Apparently, around March 20th, you can see the sun sinking into the rocks. It was my first sunset on Sado. It was a great start. This time, I stayed in the Aikawa area. This town prospered from the Sado Gold Mine. Its old townscape remains. The inn is located in the heart of the old townscape. My accommodation, Sadoyoi, is a self-check-in guesthouse that just opened in 2025. The shared space is beautiful. Tableware and cooking utensils are provided. The condiments are also well-stocked. There are three rooms, and this time I stayed in a room with a loft. In the evening, I went to a popular skewer restaurant. It’s about a five-minute walk from the inn. This is another inn, NIPPONIA. This inn was also one of my options, but unfortunately, it was fully booked. Aikawa is a hilly town overlooking the sea. You can enjoy the view of the Sea of ​​Japan while walking around town. I chose Aikawa as my base for my trip to experience this atmosphere. Tomorrow, I’ll enjoy a daytime stroll. Tokikane Tower, the symbol of Aikawa Street. I walked down the hill to a skewer restaurant. It’s a very popular restaurant that doesn’t take reservations, so if you find a spot, you’re lucky. Miraculously, it was empty. It seemed like they were just changing rooms. There were only about 10 seats at the counter. The interior, with its soft, indirect lighting, felt like a lovely bar. The menu was very simple. Each skewer was carefully grilled. It was a blissful time. All the ingredients were large and looked very satisfying. The plate was “Mumyoiyaki,” a traditional Sado craft. I started with the negima (simmered meat). I had gizzards with mustard. They also had other dishes besides skewers. I had grilled natto. I also had ginkgo nuts. They were fragrant and delicious. Every skewer was absolutely delicious. I was drinking a lot. The restaurant quickly filled up as more and more customers came. Chicken wings. Cheese rolls. Eyeball man. I’d found a great restaurant. It seems they have many customers from outside the island. I definitely want to come back here again. I was drawn into this retro coffee shop. I hadn’t had rice before, so I decided to have pilaf. My day ended without incident. It’s now 4:00 AM. I headed to my first destination of the second day before sunrise. It’s about an hour and ten minutes from Aikawa. I’ve arrived in the northern part of Sado Island. The view is different from what I’ve seen so far, with a dynamic coastal beauty continuing. Onogame, once considered a hidden gem of Sado, is a 167-meter-high monolith that is also a symbol of Sado. It’s home to a colony of Tobishima daylilies, offering a spectacular yellow landscape in early summer. The rock surface is dyed red by the morning sun. It’s a symbol of Sado Island’s nature worship and megalithic faith, and a sacred place deeply connected to the people’s faith and lives. Magma that has cooled underground is emerging above ground. Early morning on Onogame feels truly sacred. Getting up early was a good idea. It was pitch black in the morning so I didn’t notice, but the beauty of the coastline from Senkaku Bay to Onogame is breathtaking! Sotokaifu Coast is about 50km long. Just driving is so much fun you’ll have change left over. Rice fields a little south of Senkaku Bay Ageshima Amusement Park. The spectacular road leading to the sea is a road that makes you want to ride your bike. I’m back in Aikawa. My favorite slope with a great view. This seems to be called Nagazaka. Kyomachi Street connects the magistrate’s office and the gold mine. It has a gentle slope and overlooks the sea in the distance. It’s home to the only movie theater on Sado Island. It’s a small movie theater renovated from the former residence of the Sado Gold Mine Director. An old carbon-fibre projector is on display. The interior is a charming old house. It’s strangely relaxing. The attention to detail in the sound is incredible. Japanese sound director Miwa Iwanami oversaw the production. It has a wonderful antique feel. Apparently, the owner moved to Sado Island a few years ago. It’s a movie theater within walking distance of the inn. It’s a theater where you feel like you’re living there. It doesn’t feel like your first visit, and it’s very relaxing. As a special treat, I was allowed to watch just the opening trailer. I’m excited to hear what kind of sound it produces. The screening is a little delayed, but the relaxed atmosphere is also great. Due to copyright issues, this is the end of the main film. The sound was powerful and excellent. It made me want to come to Sado Island to relax and watch a movie. You can also use the cafe alone. Sound leaks out everywhere, lol. I definitely want to visit this theater again before I die. It’s a truly magical movie theater, calming both body and mind. A historical heritage site near the theater. A former detention center is open to the public. It was in use until 1972. It’s apparently a rare wooden detention center in Japan that still exists. The slope leading down from the detention center feels like walking through a mining town from long ago. I highly recommend walking this path. I’m completely captivated. On the second day, we headed to the southern part of the island. We came for the popular seafood bowl. The regular size, 1,800 yen, seems quite satisfying, but since we were there, we ordered the larger size. The variety was incredible. This was my first time trying a seafood bowl topped with shellfish. I was amazed at the variety, including seaweed and things like tokoroten. No matter how much I ate, the toppings never ran out. It was a very satisfying bowl. After dinner, we went to the cafe. It appears to be a brewery renovated from an abandoned school. Obata Sake Brewery, a long-established sake brewery, renovated the school. They also offer a sake brewing experience program. Apparently, you can stay overnight. The cafe was a former staff room. Amazake made with rice koji. It doesn’t contain alcohol, so I only had one glass. The view was amazing. They also sell sake. In the afternoon, we experienced the traditions and culture of Sado. There are several places around Ogi Port where you can experience a tub boat. I chose this place for a reason. The beautiful view of the red arched bridge connecting the islands. It’s a scenic sight. I wanted to see this view from a boat. And another reason is further ahead. This building on the same site is the villa of the Meiji-era Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. Built in 1911, it was on the verge of collapse due to age, but was repaired in 2023 through crowdfunding. Its beautiful design, skillfully using driftwood and natural wood, is like a painting. Because it’s a building located within a quasi-national park, once a building collapses, it cannot be rebuilt in the same place. The skill of the master carpenters shines through. This is a room that is said to have entertained many guests. The wood used seems to be still in use. This was one of the places I absolutely wanted to visit on my trip to Sado Island. While it’s generally only open on weekends, it’s also available for private rental on weekdays. Yajima offers both a tub boat experience and a picturesque view. My next destination was a village on an inlet, a 10-minute drive from Yajima. This village flourished as a port of call for Kitamae ships. Even today, over 100 wooden-walled houses cluster around the cove of Ogi Coast. The village’s history of working on ships is still evident. The maze-like alleys offer a charming wooden exterior, a nostalgic example of traditional Japanese architecture. We filled up the well here. This house is built in a triangle to fit the shape of the narrow alley. This unusual house is also a symbol of Shukunegi. The interior is open to the public only from April to mid-November. Apparently inhabited until 2006, traces of its past still remain. You can also tour the luxurious residence of a Kitamae ship owner. It’s a magnificent structure. Enjoy a nostalgic stroll. Our second day ends with a magical sunset. At low tide, water pools on the lava coast, creating a fantastical sight. We were blessed with beautiful weather again, and enjoyed a spectacular sunset. The warm sun gently eased away the day’s fatigue. On the second day, we went to a restaurant recommended by the owner of our lodging. It’s a sushi restaurant beloved by locals. They serve many small dishes. We had grilled salted yellowtail collar. The meat was tender and fluffy. Finally, we were served eight pieces of sushi. The chef was friendly. It was 5,000 yen, including drinks. It was a very homey restaurant. On our final day, we went to one of Sado Island’s best spots for watching the sunrise. We wanted to arrive in time for sunrise. We managed to make it. As expected, there seemed to be no one there. Thank goodness. It was before sunrise. These mountain rice terraces have existed since the Edo period. The terraces stretch from the coastal village to an altitude of 350 meters. We arrived just in time for sunrise at 5:25. The sunrise over the sea and the spectacular view of the rice terraces. The contrast with the inherited rice terraces was sacred and moving. Breakfast was rice balls and coffee. Eating rice balls while looking at the spectacular view was exceptional! We found a waterfall near the rice terraces. This is an impressive waterfall with a height of 29m. Our final stop is an ancient temple shrouded in tranquility nestled in the mountains of Sado Island. This ancient temple was founded in 808. The rows of towering cedar trees on both sides envelop the entire approach to the temple in a sacred atmosphere. Guzeden Hall, modeled after Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple This ancient temple has a majestic atmosphere and boasts a history of over 1000 years. Three days were an exciting and extraordinary experience, even without traveling abroad. This is a fascinating island that we would definitely like to visit again. These are just a few of the 19 places we visited this time. (For more details, see the summary section.)

佐渡汽船株式会社：https://www.sadokisen.co.jp/

「佐渡島、忘るべからず。」
https://sadotimes.sadokisen.co.jp/

日本海最大の島・佐渡。
「佐渡島、忘るべからず。」をテーマに、2泊3日のスケジュールで島を巡ってきました。
世界遺産の佐渡金山、ラピュタのような北沢浮遊選鉱場跡、雄大な大野亀や棚田の絶景、そして町歩きやグルメ体験まで──島の魅力を余すことなくお届けします。

⏰チャプター
00:00　オープニング
01:17　佐渡汽船 佐渡島への航路紹介
02:00　新潟港から佐渡島
02:29　1 佐渡金山
04:59　2 北沢浮遊選鉱場跡
07:13　3 尖閣湾揚島遊園
09:07　4 弁慶のはさみ岩（夕日）
10:38　ゲストハウスサドヨイ
12:23　相川の町並み
13:18　5 串焼き 金福
15:30 6 カフェ・ド・カトレア
16:06　7 大野亀
18:12　ドローンからの佐渡島
19:07　相川の町並み・京町通り
20:27　8 ガシマシネマ
23:18　9 旧相川拘置支所
24:42　10 長浜荘
25:36　11 学校蔵カフェ
26:35　12 矢島体験交流館
27:53　13 旧山本悌二郎別荘
29:43　14 宿根木 散策
31:43　15 万畳敷（夕日）
33:05　16 寿司初での夕食
34:04　17 岩首昇竜棚田（朝日）
35:28　18 岩首養老の瀧
36:11　19 清水寺

▼今回巡った佐渡島の19箇所とゲストハウスのマップ
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