【Sado Island】Nature, Art, Tokis

History of Sado Island

Sado Kinzan Ruins

There are many remains in Sado Island, with "Sado Kinzan Ruins." being most representable. It has been discovered from artifacts from such ruins that people have lived here for more than 10,000 years. In addition, it is famous for being featured in such works as "Kojiki (Japan’s oldest chronicles in existence)" and "Nihon Shoki (the second oldest)".

In order to talk about the history of Sado Island, knowing the word “Ryu-kei” is essential. Ryu-kei means exiling sinners to distant lands or islands, which is so-called "shima-nagashi." Those who were sent to Sado Island, which was used as a shima-nagashi destination due to its location, included Nichiren Shonin, who was the founder of Nichiren sect, and Zeami, a Sarugakushi (actor of Sarugaku, a form of classical Japanese theater) who had a great influence on Japanese Noh culture.

When the Edo period began, Tokugawa Ieyasu paid attention to mines on Sado Island. When it was found that gold and silver could be obtained there, the island started to be developed continuously and came to serve as a valuable financial source of the Shogunate. As a result, people working as mines, merchants, fishing boat workers, etc. gathered one after another, which developed the island. Then the mines were closed in 1989, mainly due to the decrease in the mining output.

Various attractions of Sado Island

As mentioned earlier, Sado Island is an island full of various attractions such as the rich nature, including the sea and forests and its unique history.

Sado Kinzan Remains

the former Kitazawa Flotation Plant of Sado Kinzan Remains

The major contributor to the development of Sado Island was the mine from which gold and silver could be obtained. "Sado Kinzan" was Japan's largest gold mine that extended 3 km east-west at that time, and supported not only the economy of Sado Island but also the finances of the Shogunate. It is said that it prided itself on the outputs of 78 tons of gold and 2,230 tons of silver.

The former Sado Mine Mining Facility, the exterior of Doyuko

At historic site Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, you can see the mine galleries and mining facilities used at the time of its operation. There are few historical sites which preserve the conditions during the time of their use as well as this one, and Niigata Prefecture and Sado City are aiming to register it as a World Heritage Site.

the remains are illuminated at night

Sado Kinzan offers several tour courses by theme.
There is also a tour course that you can take part in free of charge, and one great thing is that you can choose a course according to your budget, time and interests. Some of the courses need to be pre-booked; please check this link for details
をご覧ください。

The nostalgic townscape of Shukunegi

historic townscape

In Sado Island, fishing has been popular since ancient times. Since it once prospered as an important hub for marine transportation and trade, not only fishing but also shipbuilding has been inherited in Sado Island.
Therefore, Sado Island is interspersed with sites where historic and nostalgic townscapes remain. Why not try experiencing traditional Japanese culture while going around the towns of Sado Island?

Triangle House

Sukunegi, which is in the southernmost part of the island, was the most prosperous area in the Edo Period, and it is lined with feeling-evoking houses made with ship boards. It has also been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Building, and has many interesting features all over. Representative examples include Sankakuya and Triangle House, which was featured in an advertisement of JR East in which Sayuri Yoshinaga (Japanese actress) appeared, and Seikuro's Residence, which used to be a house of a shipping agent.

Tub boats unique to Sado Island

You can also get on a Hangiri (tub boat) at the rocky area that extends in the back of Shukunegi. Tub boats made of cedar and bamboo from Sado Island have supported the town's fishery for many years. You can enjoy the sea of Sado Island and the townscape of Shukunegi on a small boat rowed by a boatman.

Senkaku Bay

Senkaku Bay

Located in the western part of the island, Senkaku Bay attracts many tourists as the island's best scenic spot. The Sea of Japan extends with a continuum of 30-meter-class precipitous cliffs. Collectively, the small bays of Yusenkyo, Ritsuunkyo, Kongokyo, Zendanakyo, and Omisakikyo are called Senkaku Bay.

Glass-bottomed boat running through Senkaku Bay

The adjacent Senkakuwan Ageshima Yuen has an underwater observation boat (glass-bottomed boat) operating from the middle of March till the end of November, as well as an observation deck, an aquarium, and a library of historic records. The middle part of the glass-bottomed boat is made of glass, through which you can look undersea. Senkakuwan Ageshima Yuen was designated as one of Japan's 100 Scenic Foreshores in 1996.

The gigantic rock that Sado boasts

Ohno Kame and tobishimakanzo

When visiting Sado Island, it is also recommended to visit a number of scenic sites and see them for yourself.
About a 55 minutes’ drive from Ryotsu Port, the rock “Ohno Kame” is located in an eastern cape as one of the scenic spots representing Sado Island. Projecting out of the sea in a brave manner, "Ohno Kame" is a monolith which prides itself on a height of 167 meters, and has earned two Michelin Green Guide Japon stars.　Around the monolith are as many as a million tobishimakanzo, the yellow flowers which are in full bloom in May and June. Accordingly, Sado Kanzo Festival is held on the second Sunday of June every year.

Meoto Iwa（Wedded Rocks)

Though it takes a back seat to Ohno Kame in size, Meoto Iwa (Wedded Rocks) is also a popular tourist spot of the island. Meoto Iwa, which appears in the myths of the Kojiki, derives its name from the two 20-meter-class rocks standing as if they were leaning on each other. It is believed to be a lucky spot for matchmaking.

Futatsugame

Neither a rock nor a couple, a small island called "Futatsugame" is another site recommended for a visit. The island is called Futatsugame (two turtles) since it looks like two turtles crouching down. It gets connected to the main island when the tide is out, and it becomes an isolated island when it is high tide. It is also known as one of Japan's leading beaches, and attracts many people in summer.

Many Noh stages

Sado Island is also known as a place to which Zeami was exiled. A Noh actor representing the Muromachi Period, Zeami brought prosperity to the classic Japanese theater. It was after Nagayasu Okubo was sent as a magistrate of Kanayama from the Shogunate in the early Edo Period that Noh spread in full-scale. With such historical backgrounds, there are still many Noh stages remaining on the island.

Noh stage at Daizen Shrine

One of such stages is the Noh stage at Daizen Shrine. As the oldest remaining Noh stage in Sado Island, it stands surrounded by rich nature. On the stage that has a profound impression with a pine tree painted in the backdrop, Noh and Kyogen (intermission performed between Noh acts) are still performed.

Another thing to introduce is Ushio Shrine, which also has one of the biggest Noh stages in Sado Island. This shrine has its roots in Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine) in Shimane Prefecture, and is familiarly known as "Tenno-san" in the local area. In addition to the worship hall's impressive sculptures of carp and other objects, the Noh stage built in the Meiji Period is a must-see. Here, Noh plays are performed every June.

Toki, a bird representing Japan

You may have seen Sado Island's tokis (Japanese crested ibises) on the news or somewhere at least once. The kanji of toki is written as "朱 鷺" and they have been popular as the bird of the prefecture in Niigata Prefecture and as the bird of the city in Sado City and Wajima City. Designated as a natural monument of Japan, toki is a bird that represents the country.

Toki flying gracefully

Tokis, which are characterized by white hair and a red face and feet, have long been loved as a bird that inhabits Japan and China. Until the Edo and Meiji Eras, tokis had been hunted for their feathers and meat, and the number dropped sharply in the 1900s. By 1950, the number of wild tokis in Japan had decreased to 35.

And in 1981, when the number of domestic tokis had reached as low as five, the nation took them under its protection, leaving no tokis in the wild. Then, a couple of tokis were presented from China and they were successfully reproduced artificially. However, in 2003, the last wild Toki born in Japan named "Kin" passed away.

Toki under protection

Thanks to the vigorous conservation efforts in Sado Island, however, there are now over 200 tokis in captivity and about 140 in the wild.

In Toki Forest Park, you can see, as well as actually touch, tokis in captivity. In addition, documents on conservation and return to the wild are on display, making it a place filled with the unique charm of Sado Island, which has been focusing on breeding tokis.

Events

Sado Kaifu Kanburi Tairyo Matsuri in December

In this festival, you can enjoy cold yellowtails (kanburi) caught off the coast of Sado Island. With reasonable prices, you can enjoy seasonal fatty kanburi as sashimi and ara jiru (miso soup with seafood and vegetables). Also, there are events that are unique to Sado Island, such as "Cold Yellow Tail Race," where yellowtails compete for swimming speed.

The historic Sado Island surrounded by magnificent nature

Sado Island floating in the Sea of Japan - here, you can find its unique cultures born in the long history.
Sado Kinzan, tokis, tub boats, Sado Okesa (folk song), Senkaku Bay, Noh ... any of which you can only experience in Sado Island. You will surely have a memorable experience here. How about visiting the island to enjoy its nature, culture and history?