Transportation on Sado
Despite its size, there are no trains on Sado. However, there are plenty of other modes of transport to choose from, including rent-a-car. Here you will find information about the various modes of transport on the island, along with contact addresses and telephone numbers.
Roads on Sado are slightly narrower than those on the mainland and there are a large number of tunnels. There is no railway. Cars are the principal means of getting around, but the bus network covering the whole island is also widely used both by local people and tourists. Regular tourist buses, taxis and rent-a-car are also an important means of transport.B
Private Cars
Generally speaking, cars are the principal means of getting around. Since Sado is bigger than you would think, there is often quite a distance between your point of arrival and your destination. If you are driving on Sado, it is wise to allow ample fuel and time.
Service Bus
There are 16 bus routes on the island which can take you to places where tourist buses do not go. During the tourist season there are additional buses, for convenience, to the Sado gold mine and Sobama beach. The fun of bus journeys on Sado is that, with the exception of certain parts of main routes, you can hop on and off as often as you wish. Depending on your destination, you will find that sometimes there are not many buses or that you need to change buses. We would advise you to take a bus timetable with you when you travel by bus.
two-day free ticket
On weekends and holidays, a "two-day free ticket" is available. This is valid on any consecutive combination of Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. The price is 2,000 yen for an adult and 1,000 yen for a child. These tickets are issued at Niigata Kotsu Sado Head Office and offices and information centers in Ryotsu, Aikawa and Ogi. Tickets can be bought up to seven days prior to the day on which their validity starts.
Inquiries
Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-57-2121)
Regular Tourist Bus
Regular tourist buses operate from Ryoutsu and Ogi Ports and are timed to connect with the arrival of the Sado ferries. The advantage of the tourist bus is that it enables you to see the main places of interest in an efficient way by concentrating on themes or destinations. You can choose either one of the half-day tours, starting morning and afternoon, or a day tour to suit your own schedule.
Reservation is required for all tours, but if there are spare seats on the bus on the day, it is possible to join the tour without a reservation. However, we would advise you to reserve to avoid disappointment. The fare varies depending on the route so we suggest you inquire about fares when you inquire about reservations.
Reservations and Inquiries
All travel agents Niigata Kotsu Sado Regular Tourist Bus Reservation Center (Tel. 0259-52-3200)
Rent-a-car
Another way of seeing the island is to rent a car when you arrive in Sado. Choose the type of car according to the number of passengers. Many tourists rent cars during the high season so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Inquiries
Ryotsu district
- Sado Kisen Kanko Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-27-5195)
Information is also available at Sado Kisen's quayside offices in Niigata, Naoetsu, Ryotsu and Ogi, and at Sado Kisen information desks throughout Japan. - Watanabe Sansyou Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-27-5705)
- Toyota Rental Lease (Tel. 0259-27-2100)
- Matsuda Rent-a-car Ryotsu Office (Tel. 0259-24-7211)
- Island Rent-a-car (Tel. 0259-23-2455)
- Osado Rent-a-car (Tel. 0259-27-3753)
- Nippon Rent-a-car (Tel. 0259-23-4020)
Ogi district
- Ogiya Matsuda Rental Lease (Tel. 0259-86-3103)
- Sado Rental Car (Tel. 0259-86-3010)
Akadomari district
- Maesado Unso Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-87-3101)
Taxi (Tourist Taxi)
This is a good way to see the island if you come here with a small group of friends. Small taxis for five people, medium-sized ones for six people, and jumbo taxis for ten people, including the driver in each case, are available. There are 17 regular sightseeing routes, but if there is somewhere you would particularly like to see, you can ask the driver to arrange a tailor-made route for you. Taxi drivers with special sightseeing licences are excellent guides to the island.
Taxi companies
Ryotsu district
- Ryotsu Taxi Co., Ltd (Tel. 0259-27-3221)
- Minato Taxis (Tel. 0259-27-2181)
- Sado Kanko Taxi (Tel. 0259-23-4116)
Kanai district
- Okesa Tourist Taxis (Tel. 0259-63-3348)
Sawada district
- Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-57-5123)
- Chuo Taxis (Tel. 0259-52-3161)
- Naito Taxis (Tel. 0259-52-2174)
- Okesa Tourist Taxis (Tel. 0259-51-1111)
Aikawa district
- Aikawa Taxis (Tel. 0259-74-3134)
Hatano district
- Sado Tourist Taxi Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-66-4111)
Mano district
- Naito Taxis (Tel. 0259-55-2177)
- Mano Taxis (Tel. 0259-55-2167)
Ogi district
- Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd. (Tel. 0259-86-2114)
Hamo district
- Niigata Kotsu Sado Co., Ltd (Tel. 0259-88-2101)
Rent-a-cycle
On fine days nothing beats zooming around Sado by bicycle. You will probably discover aspects of the island which cannot be seen by car or bus. Ordinary bicycles and bicycles with electric assist motors are available.
Inquiries
Ryotsu District
- Sado Tourism Association Ryotsu Branch (Tel. 0259-24-500
- Nakao Bicycle Store (Tel. 0259-27-2907)
Aikawa District
- Niigata Kotsu Sado Aikawa Office (Tel. 0259-74-3131)
Ogi District
- Sado Tourism Association Minami Sado Branch (Tel. 0259-86-3200
- Sado Kisen Kanko (Tel. 0259-86-3010
- Sado Seaside Villa (Tel. 0259-86-3609)
Mano District
- Sado Tourism Association Chuo Branch (Tel. 0259-55-3589)
Akadomari District
- Sado Kisen Rent-a-cycle Akadomari Agency (Tel. 0259-87-3101)