"Kosado" (South)

This area of gently-sloping mountains in the south of the island has a warm climate even for Sado and plants and fruit typical of southern countries grow here. With its clear azure sea and graceful coastline, it is popular as a holiday resort. The area is also famous for its particularly rich tradition of folk entertainments. There is plenty to see including a unique museum, a conservation district and a traditional round coracle boat.

South of Ryotsu Port, here are 20km of gentle coastline, around the fishing harbor of Suizu. This is one of Sado's best fishing grounds, yielding rich harvests of shrimp and crab.

Okesa kaki (persimmon) and Sado miso are the best known products of this area. At one time the main district in the south of the island, it abounds in historic sights. These include Watazu Shrine which is also called "Ichi no Miya (largest shrine) " as it was the largest when a book on shrines in Sado was compiled in 927, and the ruins of Hamochi Castle. Hamochi is also famous as the town where the comical Shinto ritual of tsuburosashi is held.

The southern gateway to Sado, Ogi once flourished as the port from which Sado's gold was shipped and where cargo ships, Kitamae-bune (northern-bound ships) , on the Japan Sea in the Edo Period called in. There is a lot to see including a coracle boat which has become a symbol of the district, Nansenkyo - a place of scenic beauty, Shukunegi - the home for Sengoku-bune (a large junk) , and a unique museum. In addition every year in summer the district hosts the Earth Celebration by the Kodo drummers who are based on Sado and their performances with the finest Japanese and international artists are renowned all over the world.