Aikawa Folk Museum

Aikawa Gino Densho Tenjikan offers opportunities to learn about traditional art handed down from generation to generation in Aikawa. The museum offers hands-on experiences of Mumyoiyaki, an art which uses potter's clay produced in the gold mine, and rag-weaving on a traditional back-strap loom with careful instruction by staff members. Pottery by artists in Sado, rag-weaving works, and Bunya puppets are on display. The museum sits right in the middle of the tourist area with Kitazawa Flotation Plant and Aikawa Folk Museum.

The Kitazawa area in Aikawa is home to a group of facilities, such as a power plant and a thickener (designated National Historical Site), which contributed to the modernization of mines. The flotation method had originally been used for copper beneficiation, but at Kitazawa Flotation Plant, the technniques were applied to silver and gold extraction, and successfully utilized for the first time in the world. Under a war-time increase in production plan, large-scale investment was made. As a result, the Flotation Plant was able to process over 50,000 tonnes of ore per month, and the plant was declared the greatest one in the East.

After the discovery of gold ore veins, Sado was placed under the direct control of the Shogunate (tenryo), and the Sado Commissioner's Office was established in Aikawa in 1603. Among the vast facilities that were used to house the Commisioner's residence, the section of the Oyakudokoro (administrative office) was restored in 2000. In addition to judicial and administrative offices such as Yakudokoro and Shirasu (court of law with white sand), the Office functioned as Yoseseriba (a place for gold refining and grading), which is quintessentially Sado's, and has, also, been faithfully restored.

Sado Hangamura Museum exhibits a collection of woodblock prints, which are the crowning achievements of the woodblock engraving movement led by late Shinichi Takahashi, a woodblock-print artist and high school teacher. Approximately 260 pieces, centering around Mr. Takahashi's posthumous works and works by amateur artists living in Sado, are on permanent display. You will encounter a variety of print art, including woodblock, copperplate and silk screen prints. The museum also hosts monthly exhibitions and woodblock print workshops (for a fee). The museum building is housed in the former Aikawa Summary Court, the architecture of which contains traces of the Meiji Period.

Located in the Kitazawa Floating Ore Dressing Plant, a historic site, the restaurant offers a spectacular view of the ore dressing plant as well as the 50-meter thickener. The restaurant offers Western-style cuisine, mainly featuring Sado Island Kurobuta pork, which is raised by Ryokan Urashima. We also offer drinks only, including original drinks supervised by Ryokan Urashima.

Converted from an old Japanese-style house in the Aikawa area, this dining establishment offers a hotel-like atmosphere with a sense of Sado's long-standing traditions. Enjoy dishes highlighting Sado-sourced ingredients while taking in the stunning views of Aikawa. The outdoor terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy a warm and sunny day. This spot also offers a space for rent, so exhibitions and live entertainment are a common occurrence.

Gashima Cinema is located on historical Kyomachi Street, which connects Sado Gold and Silver Mine with the Sado Commissioner's Office. This former residence of the Sado Gold Mine captain, built about 80 years ago, has been converted into a café while maintaining the ambiance of the olden days. A monthly featured film is shown daily, and a monthly book corner provides movie-related books. An old carbon arc film projector, which was once used at an actual movie theatre, is on display. This spot is perfect for a break on a stroll through history, in the old mining town of Aikawa.

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.