Sashu Oyarikan (Aikawa Tourist Exchange Center)

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Udon and soba (buckwheat) noodles kneaded freshly in the morning everyday has maintained a great reputation. Isonoya offers an ample selection of noodles including noodles with curry, along with a choice of set meals and donburi (rice with toppings). Isonoya's Set Meal, their number 1 recommendation includes assorted tempura, salad, half-size rice, and a small portion of udon or soba noodles. Fresh tempura is popular for its deliciousness.

Parlour Tsuruya is a restaurant which offers a myriad of menu items including set meals and curry. The ever-popular dish is "Meat Spaghetti" (a.k.a. "Nikusupa"). It is a Japanese-flavoured spaghetti dish made with pork and vegetables, but it also contains the rich, mouth-watering flavours of butter, soy sauce and cheese powder. "Nikusupa Rice Curry," which is a unique combination of Nikusupa and curry over rice, has developed a loyal following of big eaters.