Giant Aino Mulberry in Hayoshi

This bronze statue of Nichiren (founder of the Nichiren School of Buddhism and an exile to Sado) was erected as a result of the concerted contribution of over 3,000 monks and followers all around Japan, and as a part of a celebration for the 750th anniversary since the establishment of the Nichiren School. With Ryotsu Bay as its backdrop, the statue stands facing India, the Buddha's birthplace, at approximately 13 metres high (26 metres including the base). The statue appears with a great dignity well-suited to Sado, which is closely related to Nichiren.

Located close to Sado Kisen's Ryotsu Ferry Terminal, the gateway to Sado, Maruka Ryokan is a convenient inn perfect for fishing, sea bathing and sightseeing. The beautiful view over Lake Kamo in front and Ryotsu Bay at the back makes will leave you enchanted. Dishes made from fresh seafood sourced from Ryotsu Market next door are popular among locals too. Maruka Ryokan also welcomes solo travellers who wish to stay without a meal package, and is also ideal for business travellers.

Christianity is considered to have been brought to Sado first in the Edo Period (1603-1867). Ryotsu Catholic Church was founded by a French Christian missionary, Fr. Drouart De Lezey. It was burnt down once in 1883, but was reconstructed by a missionary, De Noailles, in 1887. The church building was designed by Father Papino, who designed many churches in Japan.

Established in 1945, Yutakaya Ryokan has gained a reputation as an inn which serves rich harvest of the sea and the mountains full of rustic flavours, and beautifully presented, modern, creative cuisines. Close to Sado Kisen's Ryotsu Ferry Terminal, the inn is a convenient base for sightseeing. Yutakaya Ryokan enjoys popularity among fishers and divers. The inn also welcomes solo travellers who wish to stay without any meal plans, and ideal for business travellers.

Taro is an exciting restaurant offering creative dishes. A hospitable master chef will welcome you and skillfully serves his delicious dishes. "Tofu (bean curd) Pizza" is especially popular for ladies. The menu has an impressive selection of mouth-watering dishes such as beer-battered deep-fried chicken, German potato salad in downtown style, and Taro's mapo tofu (hot and spicy bean curd). It confidently provides an ample selection of shochu (Japanese distilled spirits).

At Imari, you can feast on local, specialty cuisine made from the ingredients of Sado's mountains and surrounding sea. Imari is an ever-popular restaurant, well-known in Ryotsu, offering a variety of menu items, like its acclaimed lunch-of-the-day, as well as classic dishes usually found at izakayas (Japanese-style pubs). You will be greeted by a hospitable okami hostess, and, in a setting embellished with Imari ware, farming tools and household goods, you feel like you have wandered into an unusual space. Rice balls and bento box lunches, prepared at Imari, are available to buy aboard Sado Kisen ferries.

Shiratsuyu offers plenty of seafood directly delivered from the source and caught by the master's acquaintance fisherman. You can enjoy seasonal delights such as Iwagaki summer oysters on top of sashimi and grilled fish. The classic menus including meat and potato stew are cooked so that the ingredients absorb flavours, and go well with alcoholic drinks. Okijiru (Alaska pollack soup) and tarajiru (cod soup) prepared by the hostess, the daughter of a fisherman, offers an authentic taste that only she can make. They have a variety of local Japanese sake produced at five sake breweries in Sado on offer.