Tsurushi Ginzan Silver Mine

Inscribed with birthplace, posthumous Buddhist names, names and ages of twenty-eight mushukuknin, who worked as a drainage labourer and deceased underground in 1853, a gravestone stands in the middle of mountains. In the Edo Period, to secure labour at the gold mine, 1,800-some mushukunin were forced to come and work in a mine from Edo (present-day Tokyo), and Osaka and Nagasaki, both of which were under direct control of the Edo Shogunate. Mushukunin is people who do not have fixed address arrested under the Shogunate's public security measures. Due to the hard labour, mushukunin is said to have lived a short life.

Ryokan Kiyose is a family-run inn famous for the staff's exceptional efforts to meet every guest's needs. Behind the inn lies Sawane Fishing Port. The inn prides in their dishes with seafood caught fresh on the day. The inn is conveniently located in the Sawane area, halfway in between Sawata and Aikawa, and is a perfect place for both sightseeing and business. Sawane Fishing Port has an established reputation as a great fishing spot with an abundance of catch. There is a fish tackle shop nearby, and many fishers visit for fishing.

Up the hill on Kyomachi Street in Aikawa, you will see an ivy-covered three-metre high concrete wall. Former Aikawa Detention Center was opened as a branch of Niigata Prison in 1954, and was in use until 1972 when it was relocated in the Sawata area. Designated as Japan's Tangible Cultural Property, this is a wooden detention house still in existence, which is rarely found in Japan. Former Aikawa Detention Center is open to the public and free of charge, so you can take a look around.

Situated in the heart of the Aikawa, Asahiso has been loved as a good base for leisurely sight-seeing (such as a downtown stroll), sea bathing, camping and fishing. With its central location, Asahiso is close to great scenic spots like Senkakuwan Bay and the Nanaura Kaigan coast, and only 10-minutes by car from Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. Fully satisfied with the seasonal dishes made by the Okami female manager, Asahiso boasts many repeat customers!

At Night Spot J1, drinks are offered at reasonable prices, and the hostess who is an amazing singer and the friendly owner will welcome you. You will have fun with waitresses while having good drinks. Karaoke lovers will be greatly pleased with their 100-inch big screen. Sometimes dishes made with seafood caught by a fisherman acquaintance are served, and the home-like atmosphere is one of the highlights at this place. Banquet server/attendant dispatch services are also popular.

Kinzanjaya is an eatery located in the third car park of the historic site "Sado Gold Mine". You can enjoy lunch made from fresh seafood. Kinzan Soba (buckwheat noodles) topped with chewy mekabu seaweed, shrimp tempura and iwanori seaweed and gold dust is highly recommended. In addition, "Kinzan Curry" served in a shape of Doyu no Wareto (split mountain top of the gold mine), and "Special Kaisendon", are popular menu items among others.

This relaxing, tranquil restaurant was converted from the home of a mine captain on Aikawa's Kyomachi Street. Highlights include hand-kneaded soba noodles made from home-grown-and-ground buckwheat, soba croquettes, and soba shiruko (sweet red bean soup with soba dumplings). This restaurant is open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays only.

The interiors are dimly lit with pin spots shining downwards on the counter, and indirect lighting on the wall giving a warm glow. You can enjoy chicken skewers grilled over charcoal by the master in a pub atmosphere. Lovingly prepared skewers will leave you with a memorable taste of Kinpuku. Daily skewers with "unconventional" items along with classic poultry pieces such as boneless chicken, gizzard, tsukune (minced chicken balls) are all delicious. The skewers go well with cold sake of Sado and carefully selected wine. The flavourful stew is a popular side dish for the end of the meal.