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JOMC Newsletter

Sado Island - a unique geographical, historical and cultural outpost

Sado Island - known in Japan as "The Island of Gold and Silver" - is located around 30 kilometers off the coast of Niigata prefecture in the Sea of Japan. Excluding Japan's four main islands, it's the country's second largest island after Okinawa. It's reachable from the coast of Niigata prefecture by jetfoil in little over an hour, or in a more leisurely 2.5 hours by car ferry.


Over the centuries, Sado attracted migration from all over Japan; this has resulted in a wide variety of dialects and customs among its inhabitants, most of whom live in close-knit farming communities. It was also a place to which people who incurred the displeasure of the authorities of the time were banished. These included the leaders of vanquished political factions and the Emperor Juntoku, accused of plotting to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate in the 13th century.


The island's fortunes were boosted following the discovery of large deposits of gold and silver there at the beginning of the 17th century. For a while Sado was one of the biggest producers of gold in the world, and proceeds from the mines helped finance the Tokugawa Shogunate over the following 200 years.


The earliest mine shafts were excavated by hand, with more advanced excavation technology being deployed in the late 19th century. Operations ceased at the site in 1989, and today, an exhibition facility brings their 400-year history to life.


Visitors can wander unescorted through the mine tunnels; they can also learn about the mining process from the earliest days during guided tours, some of which go to the very bottom of the mine shafts. They can also try their hand at gold "panning", a traditional method of extracting minute amounts of gold from dust and earth samples.

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Many of those who moved to Sado were artistic and cultural figures, a migration which has left a rich legacy of performing arts among the various communities on the island, particularly Noh theater. A unique aspect of Sado's brand of Noh is that many of its productions are performed by local residents. A series of five nighttime Noh shows are staged in the summer months at Suwa Shrine in Shiizaki on a special covered outdoor wooden stage illuminated by wood-burning fires.

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Those interested in learning more about the island's cultural past should include a visit to the Niibo Museum of History and Folklore, a facility dedicated to showcasing and preserving the arts and crafts of Sado, including the making of silk textiles and crafting Japanese dolls.


On the southwestern tip of the island, visitors can take a stroll through the old port town of Shukunegi. This flourished during the Edo period as a port of call for ships traversing the important Kitamae-bune trading route through the Sea of Japan connecting Hokkaido and the commercial city of Osaka. The coastline in the area is formed mostly of multicolored volcanic lava, creating stunning contrasts with the azure blue ocean waters.

Erosion of undersea lava has created scenic caves around this area of coastline. The largest of these is Ryuodo; on sunny days, the cave shines bright blue like Italy's famous Blue Grotto on the island of Capri, earning it the nickname "Sado's Blue Grotto". One of the cave's entrances is accessible via boat, and it's one of the island's most popular scenic spots.


In nearby Manjojiki the lava has created flat mirror-like terrain. At high tide when there is no wind, the glass-like surface of the water acts like a mirror to the sky, providing spectacular sunsets.

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On clear nights, stars reflected on the dark surface of the water are a particularly inspiring sight. Visitors should definitely have their cameras ready!


Yajima and Kyojima are islands situated in the coves along the southern coast of Sado Island. A red arched bridge connects the two islands like a picturesque miniature garden. Tub boats rowed by women in traditional braided costumes take visitors on a short coastal tour. The emerald-green sea water in this area is highly transparent, and the tub boats have glass bottom panels giving passengers great views of the fish and other marine life.


Despite its northerly location, the surrounding sea currents keep Sado surprisingly warm during the winter. Summers, conversely, are cooler than on the mainland.


Sado is a unique destination in many aspects - geographical, historical, and cultural. The island is waiting to welcome visitors to Japan who want to get off the beaten track!


If you'd like to download photos and videos of Japan's tourist attractions, please visit the Japan Online Media Center (JOMC).
For media inquiries, including requests to use photographs, please contact the JNTO Press office at media_inquiry@jnto.go.jp

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