Ishiusuzuka (millstones mound)

Sitting along Route 350, Kodomari Hakusan Shrine features a well-kept precinct and buildings. The shrine is believed to have originated from a small shrine built by a samurai warrior of the Taira clan, who was defeated by the Minamoto clan in the late 12th century. Kodomari flourished as a masonry center along with the adjacent Tsubakio community in the Mano area. Spectacular lion-dog statues welcome visitors to the precinct, which is known for its mound of millstones, where ones that were no longer in use were once collected from households and dedicated to the shrine. Repaired in 2012, a Noh stage stands to the right of the shrine building. The stage is comprised of main and rear stage areas, and is equipped with a chorus area and a "noble passageway" (where nobility could pass without bowing), as well as a space to hang the big temple bell that appears in "Dojoji," one of the great Noh plays. The wall at the back has a painting of a pine tree, and the one on the east side has a painting of bamboo. The passageway connects the stage and the room behind the curtain where actors prepare, and that room is attached to the worship hall. This Noh stage is designated a City Cultural Property.

Fusubemura is a hands-on learning centre located in Kodomari, with an accommodation available on-site. One cottage contains a dining room, living room and bedrooms for five people, and this is perfect for families and groups of friends. While staying in the spacious centre, you can enjoy making your original pieces of work in workshops including classes for pottery, rag-weaving, bamboo craft, etc. The surrounding natural environment such as Sobama Bathing Beach is also fascinating.

Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park is a hands-on facility situated on the old site of Nishimikawa Gold Dust Mine, which is thought to be the oldest among others. Anyone can easily try panning for gold on three levels: beginner, Intermediate, and advanced. On the advanced course, you will pan for gold on a river! The gold you panned for can be made into a phone strap or pendant (for a charge). You can learn about the history of gold in the exhibition room on-site, and there is a souvenir shop featuring their original goods including sweets and jewellery.

Kinchan Honten aims to vitalize the local community and create employment through agricultural diversification by making full use of local produce blessed with nature's bounty. Kinchan Honten utilizes local abandoned fields to grow rice for rice powder and other products, including noodles. (A great alternate of wheat flour, rice powder inhibits a rise in blood sugar levels after meals.) Kinchan Honten also produces and sells processed products made using locally-sourced fruit. At Kinchan Honten, you can enjoy local dishes prepared with the bounties of the sea and mountains. Kinchan Honten aspires to provide a place for communication and exchange.

Surrounded by persimmon trees, the farmhouse café "Pouteau Indicateur" stands in the Hamochi Murayama area. You can use the ichirizuka to find the cafe, an old Japanese version of a milestone, the only one still in existence on the Aikawa and Ogi road. The menu items are all hand-made, using home-grown vegetables and fruits. The top reccommendations are pasta and curry with rice. Beef curry is made from the famous Sado Beef. All dishes are served with a fresh salad. Desserts which fully express the taste of the season are also popular. The name "Pouteau Indicateur" means signpost/milestone in French.

In Hamochi, "Osaki Soba no Kai" takes place several times a year, where you can enjoy local specialty dishes and hand-kneaded soba (buckwheat noodles), as well as traditional performing arts, attracting many fans throughout Japan. Chobokuri was opened in 2007 by the organising group of Osaki Soba no Kai. Here you can have a simple, but delightful treat of soba noodles made from 100% stone-ground buckwheat all year round. Seeking soba noodles soaked in flying fish based broth, soba lovers visit Chobokuri both from within and beyond Sado. The interior of a quaint Japanese-style house is also a highlight of Chobokuri. The restaurant's name derives from a traditional performing art in the Osaki area, which is performed at Osaki Soba no Kai.