Sotokaifu Youth Hostel
"I try to provide honest service," says Mr. Yabe. Very knowledgeable in herbal medicine, he prepares herbal bathes every night for his guests.
This youth hostel and guesthouse is located about an hour away by car from Aikawa. Their guests are treated to feasts made of foodstuffs gathered from the mountains behind the guesthouse and vegetables and rice from the garden. Most guests stay multiple nights here. It's a great spot for mountain stream fishing and trekking. The area is also one of a few sacred lands on Sado. At night, the area is pitch dark, which enables you to enjoy the stars and the lights from the fishing boats. It's perfect for getting in touch with Sado's traditional way of living with Nature.
The bus stop and mailbox right in front of the guesthouse serve as markers. Herbs and traditional medicinal plants of Sado decorate the front yard.
Guests can enjoy playing the piano and the guitar in the dining room. The building is made of Japanese cedar from the island. You can also bring your own alcoholic drinks.
An example of dinner. One of the most popular seaweed on Sado, wakame is used in abundance. The green in the center is buckwheat leaf whose berries are normally eaten. Mr. Yabu grows it in his garden.