- Otowaike Pond
Otowaike Pond
Otowaike Pond encased in clusters of precious plants
Take a stroll (about 600 metres) along a trail starting at a signboard on the street around Odaira Highland on Osado Skyline, and you will find the mysterious Otowaike Pond enclosed in woods of beech and Mongolian oak. A natural pond deep in the mountains, Otowaike Pond is an important area (together with the surrounding natural forest), and has been designated a Niigata Prefecture Natural Monument. In the middle of the pond, there is a floating bog, one of the largest of its kind in Japan, with over twenty species of plants, including mosses of Polytrichaceae and Climaciaceae, growing naturally upon it. There is a heart-shaped hole in the middle of the bog, which is considered to be the life-line of the islet, and is also thought to induce romantic ambience. The name of this pond is derived from lore, which says a young woman named Otowa was loved by a gigantic serpent, the master of the pond, and committed suicide by throwing herself into the water.
Facility Basic Information
- Address
- 1600-2 Yamada, Sado, Niigata 952-1321
- Transport Access
- Ryotsu Port Approx 65 minutes by car
- Parking
- 3
Nearby Spots
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Mountains RV parkAuto (Caravan) Park Sawata
Just a 10-minute drive away from the Sawata city centre, Auto Park Sawata is surrounded by lush greenery with views of Mt Kinpoku and Kuninaka Plain. Each pitch has a parking space for one car, and is equipped with a private washing area, electric hook-ups and a Western-style toilet. The Sawata Bathing Beach is only about 15 minutes away from the site. There is a convenience store on the way to Sawata town, making Auto Park Sawata a convenient place and perfect campsite to stay for long breaks.
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Gold and Silver Mines Heritage and RelicsOdate Tateko (Grand Shaft)
Odate Tateko is the oldest Western-style shaft in Japan. German engineers and others started excavation of the Odate Tateko shaft in 1875, and it was sunk in 1877. Odate Tateko is vertical haulage with a lift. It is about 5.7 metres by 3.3 metres rectangular , and the final depth reaches 352 metres. The hoist was first operated by horse power, and later powered by, first steam, and then electric motors. Until it shut down in 1989, it had been the focal point for mining activities.
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MountainsExchange Centre Hakuundai
Hakuundai is a lodge-style building standing at about 850 metres above sea level. The viewing terrace offers a stunning panoramic view across Sado, including Ryotsu Bay, Kuninaka Plain and Ogi Peninsula. At the souvenir shop inside the building, you will find Sado specialties, such as "Okesa persimmon butter", "fig jam", and "wild grape wine". Curry over rice with the Island's black Berkshire pork, and soft ice cream made from fresh cream are special menu items at the light meal corner. Hakuundai is closed for winter as Osado Skyline will be closed due to snow.
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Mountains PlantsOsado Skyline
Osado Skyline is approximately 30km-long route for a scenic drive between Kanai and Aikawa. The highest point is above 900m, and you can look over the entire island, from Mano Bay, Ryotsu Bay, Kuninaka Plain to Kosado Mountains. The view from Hakuundai, a rest area with a viewing deck, is stunning. The scenery in each season such as fresh foliage in early summer and red leaves in autumn is a must-see.
Stores where you can eat and drink nearby
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Casual Eatery Tea House/Coffee Shop Set menus/Rice bowls/Kamameshi(hot pot rice) Soba (buckwheat) and Udon Noodles Japanese-style Curry with Rice Chinese Ramen NoodlesKinzanjaya
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.
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Casual Eatery Fish Dishes Set menus/Rice bowls/Kamameshi(hot pot rice) Chinese Ramen Noodles Minshuku (Japanese-style Bed and Breakfast)Guesthouse Senkakuwan
Guesthouse Senkakuwan stands directly next to Senkakuwan Ageshima Yuen. The inn is perfectly located for exploring Aikawa and Sotokaifu in the neighbourhood of Marine Park in Senkakuwan Bay and Tassha Bathing Beach. Guesthouse Senkakuwan treats guests to fresh, locally caught seafood including deluxe sashimi served on a ship-shaped platter for dinner. The guesthouse is a friendly place where tourists and locals can casually pop-in and enjoy menu items such as set meals and donburi (rice with toppings) prepared with special seafood.
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Pleasure Boats Sea Casual Eatery Tea House/Coffee Shop Chinese Ramen Noodles Light meal OtherSenkakuwan Ageshima Yuen
Senkakuwan Ageshima Yuen is a tourist attraction of Ageshima Kyowan (narrow bay), the fifth most scenic spot at Senkakuwan Bay. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a dynamic, panoramic view. The surrounding area is a marine park, designated as one of Japan's 100 Scenic Foreshores. You can also enjoy a cruise around the bay, and the underwater world, aboard a glass-bottom boat (for a fee). On site, there are also an aquarium, which is home to fish found in the sea surrounding Sado, and a resource centre, which displays panels about a famous Japanese film, "Kimi no Na Wa" [What is Your Name?
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Italian Cuisine Casual Eatery Soba (buckwheat) and Udon NoodlesSoba Restaurant Yozaemon
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.