Highlights of Sado

Sado's spectacular landscape is the perfect backdrop for taking a drive, touring and cycling, and serves as a field for a variety of activities. Of course, there are also plenty of historic sites and tradition-inspired events. It is only a few of them that we introduce here, and the seasonal attractions and events vary, so please ask the hotel staff anytime. Discovery of the real Japan is surely on this trip's agenda.

Futatsugame (Two Turtles)

Futatsugame is an island that looks like two turtles at the northern tip of Sado. A national monument park, as well as a scenic spot, Two Turtles was awarded two stars by Michelin Green Guide Japan. Many tourists visit this interesting land formation, which includes beaches and a campground. The clear waters are outstanding and definitely a must-see.

Movie「海面を破り空高くそびえる大岩、大野亀」

Ohnogame (Big Turtle)

Like Futatsugame, Ohnogame is also a huge, turtle-like rock mentioned in the Michelin Guide. A beautiful habitat of Tobishima Licorice, Big Turtle Rock offers a great hiking course in late May to early June when yellow flowers bloom all over the area. With the feeling of firm soil under your feet, you can climb to the top to discover a majestic ocean view. It is one of the unique pleasures of a Sado journey.

Iwakubi Shoryu Rice terrace

Beautifully terraced rice fields, dating back to the 16th Century, spread over the mountains at an altitude of more than 350 meters. Over 400 fields with a variety of sizes and shapes make great use of the steep topography. Here, you can enjoy the synchrony of majestic nature and people's daily lives. In early spring, take in the brilliant reflection of the sky in the flooded rice fields, and in autumn, the golden rice ears bowing gracefully are equally breathtaking. Photographers looking for the perfect morning glow will find this a prime shooting spot.

Yajima & Kyojima Islands

These two islands, an attractive sight and symbol of Sado, rise out of a calm cove and are connected by a red wooden bridge. When you visit here, please do not forget to take a ride in a Taraibune, a boat originally designed for harvesting seaweed, abalones, scallops and other seafood along the Ogi coast, where there are many rocky reef obstructions to navigate. Although you may feel that you are riding around in a washtub at first, the expertise of the “sailors” has most adventurers relaxing into an extremely authentic experience.

Scissors Rock of Benkei

This is an unusual landscape with a wedge-shaped rock sandwiched between megaliths. Legend says that Benkei, a warrior monk, in a competition with a demon to see who was stronger, threw the rock and it stuck there. This same scenery can be found in other places on the island, too. When photographed at sunset, Scissors Rock of Benkei has a mysterious silhouette.

Traces of Nichiren Buddhism

There are 28 Nichiren Buddhist temples in Sado, sites related to the Buddhist priest Nichiren, but the temples of Konponji and Myosyouji are counted as especially spiritual. The place where Nichiren wrote "Kaimokusyou" was introduced as "Sanmido" on the Konponji temple premises, and it was at Myosyouji Temple that Nichiren wrote "Kanshinnhonnsonnjyou". In the 16th century, the pioneers of Sado Gold Mines built and made donations towards Nichiren-influenced temples, and those tend to be very fine and elaborate. Even if you just want to follow the footprints of Nichiren, the journey to Sado can be a deeply thoughtful pursuit.

Ohsado Skyline

This beautiful, 30km observation road extends from the Kanai area to Aikawa. You can enjoy a pleasant drive while viewing the majestic valley terrain. From the fresh bright green of early summer to the fall foliage of autumn, outstanding scenery beckons you to visit in every season.