Guest House Third Place

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 site where Nikuu Shrine stands used to be a temporary residence, built by the Kamakura Shogunate at the birth of the second daughter of Emperor Juntoku, Imperial Princess Chushi. In honor of the wild irises ("shobu," in Japanese) in full bloom, Emperor Juntoku named the residence Shobuden (literally: iris residence). Dedicated to Princess Chushi, who passed away at the age of eighteen, the shrine buildings were constructed as Nikuu Daimyojin (a shrine) during Emperor Gofukakusa's reign (mid-13th century). Both Shobuden, which enshrines the hair of Princess Chushi, and the graveyard, under management of the Imperial Household Agency, stand within the grounds. There is a Noh stage, too, which has a thatched, hipped roof and is situated, with woods at its back, to the southeast of the main building.

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).

Kuroki Palace is the ruins of the residence where Emperor Juntoku lived after being exiled to Sado as an alleged mastermind of the Jokyu Disturbance in 1221. The shabby palace building constructed using rough-hewn timbers was called Kuroki (black wood) Palace. The present-day mound has been maintained since the Meiji Period (1868-1912), after Kenkichi Kawakami, a local, proposed it necessary. The grounds are covered with many pine trees, including one planted by Emperor Showa, and there are also monuments inscribed with poetry by Mokichi Saito and Hiroshi Yosano.

"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.

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.

Coffee & Tea 2-2 is located at a corner of Honda Cars Sado Sawata Brach showroom. Please order and receive at the counter before being seated. Specialty coffee brewed in traditional methods, and smoothies are popular menu items. Popular sourdough pancakes and bread produced by SHIMAFUMI, an affiliated bakery, are also on offer. You can alsomake use of FREESPOT wireless internet access.

Benkei is a fish shop-run conveyor belt sushi restaurant with high popularity for its unbeatably fresh toppings. Seafood caught off the coast of Sado Island caught fresh every morning is prepared on the day. Many fans within Sado and outside of Sado say this is the place to come for sushi. The taste of sushi topped with carefully selected seasonal fresh fish has earned a reputation. The foodies' favourite seasonal toppings such as "blackthroat seaperch " and "kanburi (winter yellowtail)" are unique to Benkei. The added bonus is that the price is reasonable. Benkei is always packed with men and women of all ages.