Cherry Tree of Hojobo

The Osaki community is located up the Hamochi River, which runs through the mountains. Here, the tutelary Hakusan Shrine stands side by side with Miyamotodera Temple. The neatly-built stone walls are beautiful, and after passing through the torii gate, the worship hall encased in the protective forest comes into view. This serene place symbolizes the Osaki area, where sophisticated nonmaterial culture is being nurtured. Inhabitants in Osaki hand down various performing arts such as Chobokuri (the phallus dance) and Bunya puppet theatre, and are thought to be particularly enthusiastic about Noh performances compared to others in Sado. Comprised of a main stage area and a rear stage area, the Noh stage within the compound has a thatched hipped roof and a main entrance on the gabled side. The wall at the back has the traditional painting of a pine tree, and there is a space to hang the big temple bell that appears in "Dojoji," one of the great Noh plays. In recognition of its role in handing down Noh culture, as well as the value of its architecture, this stage has been designated a City Cultural Property.

Watatsu Shrine is dedicated to Isotakeru, a god of Japanese Shinto, and it is worshipped by islanders as a god of traffic safety. This is one of the nine shrines listed on the shrine register of Engishiki (Regulations of the Engi era), and a high class shrine called Ichinomiya. It is said that its precinct, old documents, etc. were flooded out in 1470 and as a result the shrine was relocated to where it stands now. Its origin and history is not clearly known. Watatsu Shrine is a famous spot for the first shrine visit of the New Year, and many islanders visit there from all around Sado.

Kur means convalescence, treatment and recuperation, and therme refers to the thermal baths in German. As the name suggests, the Kurtherme Sado incorporates German systems as well. You can enjoy various hot spring baths, such as an air bubble bath, a jacuzzi, and neyu (a shallow bath tub to lie down). The bathrooms with high ceilings surrounded by large glass window is amazingly open and spacious. Please fully enjoy the natural hot spring spa fed by a continuous flow of hot spa waters direct from the source in a lush, green environment.

Impressive stone light towers stand along the front path leading to the worship hall. Kusakari Shrine was called "Hachioji Gozutenno" around the middle of the Edo Period (early 19th century), and worshipped as a god of agriculture. It was later called Gion Hamochi Shrine for a time, and then renamed after the old name of the village "Kusakari no Sato," in 1870. Kusakari Shrine is known for offerings of bonfire Noh performances, and a kind of kagura (dance and music dedicated to gods) called "Onimai Tsuburosashi," (designated a Niigata Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Asset) performed at Hamochi Festival held annually on the 15th of June. The Noh stage (also one of Niigata Prefecture's Designated Tangible Folk Cultural Assets), which is considered to have been built before the Meiji Period, has a hip-and-gable thatched roof in front and a hipped roof at the back. The structure blends well with the idyllic landscape, whilst projecting a stately ambience.

In Hamochi, "Osaki Soba no Kai" takes place several times a year, where you can enjoy local specialty dishes and hand-kneaded soba (buckwheat noodles), as well as traditional performing arts, attracting many fans throughout Japan. Chobokuri was opened in 2007 by the organising group of Osaki Soba no Kai. Here you can have a simple, but delightful treat of soba noodles made from 100% stone-ground buckwheat all year round. Seeking soba noodles soaked in flying fish based broth, soba lovers visit Chobokuri both from within and beyond Sado. The interior of a quaint Japanese-style house is also a highlight of Chobokuri. The restaurant's name derives from a traditional performing art in the Osaki area, which is performed at Osaki Soba no Kai.

The Enman restaurant specialises in chargrilled skewers, expressing their passion and determination towards handmade dishes. Using the brand-name chicken "Koshi no Tori" sourced from Niigata, the chef threads the chicken onto skewers one by one. Grilled at a high temperature over charcoal, the skewers are flavourful and taste excellent even when cold, making them a popular takeaway meal. Their Chinese ramen noodles are served with housemade chicken bone broth. Enman also serves à la carte dishes and chef's choice menus.

Kinchan Honten aims to vitalize the local community and create employment through agricultural diversification by making full use of local produce blessed with nature's bounty. Kinchan Honten utilizes local abandoned fields to grow rice for rice powder and other products, including noodles. (A great alternate of wheat flour, rice powder inhibits a rise in blood sugar levels after meals.) Kinchan Honten also produces and sells processed products made using locally-sourced fruit. At Kinchan Honten, you can enjoy local dishes prepared with the bounties of the sea and mountains. Kinchan Honten aspires to provide a place for communication and exchange.