Isonoya

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!

The perfect base for a walking tour, Sashu Oyarikan was established after repairing a historical accommodation named Sashukan, where celebrities, like famous writers, once stayed. Oyari means "take it easy" in the Aikawa dialect. Sashu Oyarikan has a lounge, exhibition rooms and public restrooms on the first floor, so please feel free to visit us. The second floor is designed for simple lodging for students (18-years-old and up) and is available for training camps, study trips and seminars.

Daianji was established in 1606 by Nagayasu Okubo, the first Commissioner of Sado. A long, beautifully cobbled path leads up to the Sanmon gate, and the main hall features the temple crest of three leaves of hollyhock in a circle. The temple houses a memorial tower built by Nagayasu Okubo prior to his death, and a memorial tower for Hikozaemon Kawamura who was involved in the early-stage development of the Sado gold and silver mines. Both towers are National Historic Sites. This temple also holds the burial grounds for officials who served the Sado Commissioner's Office. A spectacular Machilus thunbergii (bay tree) grove, a Sado Natural Monument, stands behind the graveyard. Drastic urbanization due to the development of the mines significantly changed the landscape of the Aikawa area. Still, groves within the grounds of temples and shrines retain their native vegetation. Many plants such as the giant Machilus thunbergii, camellia and Euonymus japonicus (Japanese spindle) grow in the dense natural woodland of Daianji Temple.

Time signal in Aikawa Town started in 1709, by striking taiko drums set within the Sado Commissioner's Office. The first "time bell" was cast with Sado-produced bronze in 1712, under the ordinance of Shigehide Ogiwara, a Sado Commissioner. The time bell rang out to let people know the time until around 1871, but it then went silent. The bell recently began striking again, in the morning and evening. The brick wall is part of a former court building, and the inside serves as the Sado Hangamura (print art) Museum.

Founded in 1958, Café de Cattleya is a coffee shop with stained glass lights, a single flower dressing the tables, and quiet background music evoking the retro feel of the Showa times (1926-1989). It offers a choice of about thirty coffees, all of which are made with scrupulously selected coffee beans, including special blends, local brands, and Irish coffee. Cakes such as apple pies are also popular to eat along with the coffee. It also provides an ample selection of tea and juice.

Takeya is a restaurant with a long history, located in the Tenryo-dori shopping street in Aikawa. The master chef, who prides in his cooking history of over fifty years, enchants you with Sado's delicacies such as sashimi and simmered fish. Takeya's specialty,"Grilled Ikagoro",is the highlight. This is a fisherman's dish made with fresh squid and vegetables steamed with mild miso bean paste and goro (squid innards). The Koshihikari rice cooked in a large pot will also delight your taste buds.

Gin Zushi is an authentic sushi bar located on the Haneda shopping street. Beyond the noren [entrance curtains] awaits a counter made of a single plate. Seasonal fresh seafood is displayed in a sushi topping showcase. Among the menu items, "Sado Sushi" comes highly recommended. This is a good-value meal of sushi, with the day's choice toppings gleaned from the day's catch in the surrounding sea. They also offer a wide selection of à la carte dishes unique to Sado, such as squid dried for one night and mozuku seaweed.

Mochidaya is a restaurant directly run by the adjacent Mochida Fishmonger. It boasts menu items which emphasize the seasonal flavours, changing depending on the seafood available for that specific season. "Kaisendon", which is a bowl of rice with a dozen fresh seafood toppings, is the highlight during lunch hours. Mochidaya also serves an ample selection of sweet delights, including home-baked pancakes made from 100% Sado-grown rice powder. In the evening, it turns into a Japanese-style pub serving alcoholic drinks to accompany your food, where you can leisurely enjoy local Japanese sake and cocktails in the old Japanese-style house built sixty years ago.