Sugiike Pond

Driving down to the south on Sado's Ring Road, you can see Jogahana Cape in the Noura area. A white tip of the Jogahana Lighthouse can bee seen between the trees on a rocky mountain, above a tunnel on the small cape. It is a small lighthouse approx. 11m high, and it flashed its first light in 1966. There is no road connection to the lighthouse. To get to the lighthouse, please walk for about five minutes along a narrow path from the point with a sign at the side of a house in the hamlet of Noura.

The Tsukibuse area is abundant in water, with seven rivers running through it and natural springs bubbling up. There are many small rice fields, so-called hidden paddies, which have escaped zoning, so the natural landform remains intact while the abundant water supplies every single rice terrace. These rice paddies are cared for by locals, together with voluntary support from outside the island. Dedicated farmers are working hard to create a biotope and maintain the ecosystem, too.

Just a 10-minute drive from the Niibo town centre, Niibo Dam Campsite is a free camping area close to the Niibo Dam. 2,000 cherry blossom trees are planted on the outskirts, and you can look out onto the lush forest over the dam. With many tourist attractions such as Toki Forest Park nearby, the location in the heart of Sado is a perfect base for you to explore Sado. Please take your own litter home.

Dainichido is a worship hall in Ohirume Shrine, which is considered to have been established in 1490. The existing building (a Niigata Prefecture's Designated Tangible Cultural Asset) was reputedly reconstructed in 1718. The hall enshrines a statue of Seated Dainichinyorai (Vairocana), considered to be created by Mokujiki Seigen. Seen as a place of worship for a tutelary deity of cows, in the past, cowherds from all over the island traveled on foot with their cows, to pay visits to Dainichido. Many ema (wooden plaques with prayers written down on them) with pictures of cows, and waraji (straw sandals) for cows are dedicated to make wishes come true.

Mozem offers hand-kneaded soba noodles and soba-centric multi-course meals. The neatly cut, thin strips of soba noodles made from 100% buckwheat flour, are exceptional because of the strong flavour of buckwheat and smooth texture. You can choose from Sado-style soba drenched in soba sauce made from grilled-dried flying fish, or morisoba served with a dipping sauce made from bonito broth. A selection of dishes prepared with a little extra will leave gourmet palates satisfied and impressed. Book your seat by the afternoon on the day before your visit.

The restaurant "de Vinco" is directly run by Henjinmokko, which is known for its famous sausages. It offers European-style dishes centered around Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. Don't miss out on the pizza baked at a high temperature in a pizza oven, which is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and pasta dishes served with scrupulously prepared sauce! The products of Henjinmokko are also served deliciously. The casual ambience with an open kitchen is also the reason for its popularity.

Saito's Fruit Café serves juices and shaved ice prepared with strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apples, Okesa persimmons and grapes, all fresh from Saito Farm. You can enjoy strawberry picking in spring, too.

Nacchan has an established reputation for its fresh, seasonal seafood purchased at the market, and delicious nibbles. Bento box meals and catering services also enjoy popularity. The food menu consists of a plethora of dishes, including noodles, donburi (a bowl of rice with toppings), and set meals. Nacchan offers an all-chuhai-you-can-drink deal (chuhai are mixed drinks with shochu, Japanese distilled spirits) between 17:00-22:00 (valid for two hours). Prices are 1,000JPY for men and 500JPY for women. Head to the sister snack bar "Shante" after Nacchan. You can get 50% off karaoke there.