Perfect for Summer! The Best Island Drives

My favorite drive is the road that goes from Mount Donden to Nyugawa in Sotokaifu. The road runs along the stream and is closed until June. It's cool and there's even a waterfall. It's a narrow road, but as long as you drive carefully you shouldn't have any problems. You can park your car and go swimming in the water downstream. If you go north from Nyugawa along the ocean, you'll reach Ohnogame and Futatsugame. If you go south, you'll reach Senkaku Harbor. If you try to do too much in a day, you'll just tire yourself out. It's important to pick a spot or maybe two and go at a leisurely pace.

There are two great destinations if you go up North. In the cave located near "Kobo's Nagefude" (literally Kobo's thrown brush; the rock formation looks as though ink is spilling from the top, hence the name) in Iwayaguchi, the sound of the waves echo inside the cave and gives you the illusion that it's coming from above. It's really strange to feel like the ocean is above you. The other place of interest is the sightseeing boat that connects Takachi in Sotokaifu and Washizaki located near the border of Sotokaifu and Uchikaifu. It only operates in the summer (see DATA section), but you'll discover new and wonderful things about Sotokaifu on the boat ride, such as the waterfall of Ozare, which you can only see from the ocean.

One of the sights I recommend in the South is Himezu O-hashi (Great Bridge of Himezu) where you can make your own salted squid and taste the special local handmade pickles. Another is Kasugazaki where you can see the scenery that symbolizes Sado: stone lanterns standing with Doyu-no Wareto (literally cracked door of Doyu; it's the remains of open-cut mining for gold and silver) in the background. At Ogi in Southern Sado, you can try your hand at Taiko at Sado Island Taiko Center located at Sado Taiko Taiken Koryukan (or Tatako-kan.) After a workout at the Taiko Center, go for a swim at Sobama Beach. Taking a drive around Ogi Peninsula is nice, too. You can actually make a full circle now that Chojagabashi is finished. You'll see people fishing from pail-shaped boats along the way. What's wonderful about Sado is that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ocean and then be in the mountains well within thirty minutes. Pick your points of interest and come often!