Nikuu Shrine

Guest House Third Place is an accommodation run on the concept of slow living surrounded by the woods, which evoke a sense of being showered by nature's power. You can see the green lawn in the front garden and feel the gentle breeze through the bamboo grove where leaves rustle outside the guest room. The common space is equipped with a living room and kitchen, where you will feel like a local. There is also a music studio and a quaint Japanese house on its premises. Please visit this place as a third home where you can relax, refresh and recharge yourself.

It is said that Nichiren Shonin, founder of Nichiren School of Buddhism exiled to Sado, stood and chanted mantra on this hill every morning, after forced to live in Ichinosawa. The precinct is scattered with a bronze statue of Nichiren, praying to the rising sun whilst thinking of his parents at home in Awa (present-day Chiba Prefecture), Kesagake no Matsu (a pine tree which he hang his monastic robe on), a spring with which he rinsed his hands, and so on. Also, "Sanko no Sugi", a gigantic cedar tree over 1,000 years old (Sado City's Designated Natural Monument) stretches its branches.

The owner, well-versed in the mountains and nature of Sado, will take you to every corner of the island. Outdoor Island Yu serves as the secretariat of OsadoTrekking Guide Club. Walking tours are designed on the themes of, not only mountain plants and giant trees, but also towns, historic relics, and festivals. Hiking gear, clothing, and equipment suitable to novices are available for purchase at the shop. The wood interior, with its cozy fireplace, leaves you feeling peaceful and relaxed.

Honkoji was founded in 1310 by a Buddhist monk Nissho Shonin, who became a strong believer of Nikko Shonin. It sits in the neibourhood of the ruins of Kuroki Palace, where Emperor Juntoku used to live. The temple treasures a wood-carved standing statue of Seikannon (Goddess of Mercy), a designated National Important Cultural Property, which is one of the four statues that Emperor Juntoku brought with him from Kyoto. The temple also has a Mandala (Sado City's designated Tangible Cultural Asset) drawn by Nikko Shonin, who was a leading disciple of Nichiren Shonin (founder of Nichiren School of Buddhism exiled to Sado).

Yajima is a casual yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant, which is a great option for family visits. It will meet your needs whether you are up for lunch or dinner, or having a party. The menu consists of filling dishes served in large portions, such as rice dishes using Sado-grown rice incuding kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot with other ingredients) and oyako-don (chicken and egg over rice), noodles, deep-fried dishes, etc. Yakitori skewers including the popular hand-kneaded chicken meatball (tsukune) is served at dinnertime. Tsugaru Chicken (cross-bred free range chicken) is slowly cooked over charcoal.

"Ikebukuro Daishoken" established a great reputation in Tokyo for Tsukemen (ramen noodles served with a separate dipping soup). The master chef trained under Mr Kazoo Yamagishi, and was allowed to set up his own restaurant with the same name. He introduces the taste and philosophy of the master chef, Mr Yamagishi, to Sado. The well-balanced soup made from bones of pork and chicken, and seafood, and the homemade noodles taste authentic even for those who know the taste of the founder's restaurant. As Mr Yamagishi emphasized the importance of "pig bones, chicken bones, and the chef's personality," the set of noodles and dipping soup prepared by the chef's kindness and skill is delicious.

Karuta is a Japanese restaurant conveniently located in the Sawata area. You can enjoy fresh Sado-source ingredients full of seasonal flavours. Karuta focuses their menu items on tempura, and offers carefully prepared dishes, including set meals, donburi (a bowl of rice with toppings) and noodles. Karuta's tempura, which is seafood and vegetables deep-fried to a crispy brown in carefully selected oil, has an established reputation. Multi-course dishes which include sashimi, tempura, salad and dessert are also popular.

As the authentic Kansai-style okonomiyaki can be enjoyed for casual occasions, Koume gains a gathering of families and high school students who commute to school in the neighbourhood. It offers a choice of about twenty kinds of okonomiyaki, ranging from healthy options to heavier options. The top recommendation is a basic okonomiyaki with pork and egg. Also recommended is a classic menu item, which is the deluxe "mix" okonomiyaki with squid, shrimps, and scallops. The menu has a selection of items other than okonomiyaki, such as yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), takoyaki (savory balls with octopus), and monjayaki (crispy grilled runny pancake).