THE DAISHI BANK Minami-sado Branch

Dairenji Temple is a temple of the Soto Zen school of Buddhism established in 1421 as a temple to take care of ancestors of the Honma clan, Lords of Hamochi Castle. The sanmon main gate is the east gate of the castle (Niigata Prefecture's Historic Site), which survived destruction in a siege by Kagekatsu Uesugi (lord of Echigo), and was later relocated. This temple served as accommodations for successive Deputies for Sado and officials in the Edo Period (1603-1867). Within the precinct, there are the 500 Arhats Hall, created by a sculptor of Buddha statues in the Edo Period; Kannondo Hall, enshrining a secret Buddhist icon, Maria-Kannon (Mary statue in Kannon disguise); and Hotei (god of good fortune) Hall worshipped for wealth and happiness. Mahori Hogan Yoshitaka, a master painter, donated his painting, entitled "Amazawa Hoteison." Dairenji Temple is one of the temples on Sado's Seven Gods of Fortune pilgrimage route. Referred to as a temple of camellia flowers, Dairenji Temple is familiar to locals,

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.

Amazawa Ryokan is a long-established Japanese-style inn in Hamochi Ohashi, established in the early Showa Period (early 20th century). With a family atmosphere, Amazawa Ryokan often welcomes regular visits of anglers. Meals are made from local seafood, home-grown vegetables from the Okami female manager's parents' place, Sado-grown Koshihikari rice harvested in the mountains, and other local delicacies. Discover the reason for the popularity of this simple home cooking.

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.

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.

Surrounded by persimmon trees, the farmhouse café "Pouteau Indicateur" stands in the Hamochi Murayama area. You can use the ichirizuka to find the cafe, an old Japanese version of a milestone, the only one still in existence on the Aikawa and Ogi road. The menu items are all hand-made, using home-grown vegetables and fruits. The top reccommendations are pasta and curry with rice. Beef curry is made from the famous Sado Beef. All dishes are served with a fresh salad. Desserts which fully express the taste of the season are also popular. The name "Pouteau Indicateur" means signpost/milestone in French.

Kushishige is a yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant nestled on a seaside street with a sea breeze. All skewers are grilled over fastidiously selected, yet traditional, high-quality Bincho charcoal. The chicken skewers have a deep flavour, and are finished with a homemade special sauce which is topped up daily. Every evening, Kushishige is crowded with local regulars who seek out delicious yakitori offered at reasonable prices. In summer, the menu expands to offer Kanto-style grilled and basted unagi (eel cut open in its back, steamed first and grilled), finished with a special unagi sauce.

Kassai is situated in the seaside area dotted with eateries and accommodations, a 5 minute-walk away from Ogi Port Sado Kisen's Ferry Terminal. This restaurant, run by a family and the gentle Okami female manager, has a home-like soothing atmosphere. Among the treats on offer are rice bowls topped with seafood and set meals with sashimi made with plenty of local fish from Ogi. Kassai is the locals' favourite, as a place where you can enjoy the seasonal fish to your satisfaction.