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Visiting Sado Island for the First Time? Read this First!

This guide has essential information for first-time visitors to Sado Island. Take a look and make the most of your trip!

Sado is a Big Island!

Sado Island is a BIG island in the Sea of Japan—covering approximately 855 km² (330 sq mi).
To put that in perspective, Sado is:

  • ・　1.4x the size of Tokyo's 24 wards (the Yamanote Line could fit neatly within Sado’s plains!)
  • ・　Larger than Singapore (~725 km²)
  • ・　Larger than New York City (~783 km²).
  • ・　55% the size of Oʻahu, Hawaii (~1,545 km²)
To fully explore the island, we recommend staying for at least two nights and three days. A day trip will force you to see only one area of the island, and two days will feel rushed. For the best experience, opt for a three-day, two-night trip!

Day 1: Arrive in the morning and see some sights in the afternoon.
Day 2: Spend the whole day touring major attractions.
Day 3: Depart around noon by ferry after some final sightseeing in the morning.

This schedule allows you to see all the key spots without feeling hurried.

Getting to Sado Island

From Tokyo

From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Niigata Station.
From Niigata Station, take a bus or taxi to Niigata Port.
Board the Sado Kisen Ferry to the island.

From the Kansai Region / Osaka

From Itami Airport or Kansai Airport, fly to Niigata Airport.
Take the Airport Shuttle Bus to Niigata Port (or take the local bus via Niigata Station).
Board the Sado Kisen Ferry to the island.

The Sado Kisen Ferry (Main Access to Sado)

The most common route to get to the island is Niigata Port → Ryotsu Port. This route has the most ferry options.
There are two types of ferries you can take to get to Sado: The Car Ferry and the Jetfoil.

Car Ferry

What it is:
・ A large, conventional ferry that carries both passengers and vehicles.
・ Offers open seating (2nd class) or reserved seating (1st-Class, Suite, etc) for an extra fee.
Best for:
・ Those who prefer a cheaper, more relaxed journey, and travelers with a car.
Travel Time:
・ Niigata Port - Ryotsu Port - 2 hours 30 minutes
・ Naoetsu Port - Ogi Port - 2 hours 40 minutes

Jetfoil

What it is:
・ A high-speed, hydrofoil boat.
・ Reserved seating only.
Best for:
・ Passengers who want to save time on their journey.
・ Travelers without a car.
Travel Time:
・ Niigata Port - Ryotsu Port - 1 hour 7 minutes
* No Jetfoil from Naoetsu - Ogi Port

Schedules vary by season and weather—check the Sado Kisen website for updates.

Travel Time on Sado Island

Travel by Car

With 280 km (174 miles) of coastline, Sado Island is big! Renting a car on the island is by far the most popular (and most recommended) option to get around. A car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and is ideal for scenic coastal drives and remote sights. Booking your rental car in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons. Be sure to fulfill all requirements for driving in Japan including bringing an International Driving Permit, valid home country license, official JAF Japanese translation of your license as necessary (required if you are from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland or Taiwan), and your passport with you to the island.

★Key Travel Times on Sado
Ryotsu Port → Aikawa (Sado Gold Mine): ~50 minutes by car.
Ryotsu Port → Ogi (Famous for the Tub Boats): ~60 minutes by car.
Ryotsu Port → Onogame: ~60 minutes by car.
Circling the island’s outer perimeter: ~7–8 hours by car.

Travel by Bus

There are no train lines on Sado, but local buses are available. Note that bus services can be very limited, and getting around the island by bus can be cumbersome - you'll need to check the bus timetable and bus line map, and plan carefully. Bus Passes are available at Tourism Information Centers or you can buy one directly on the bus. Note that the Buses on Sado Island do not accept IC Cards/Suica, etc.

Until October 31, 2025, a free Shuttle Bus can bring you around the Sado Gold Mine sites in Aikawa (see link below for timetable).

★Key Points to Note About Local Buses
・Direct buses from Ryotsu Port to Sado Gold Mine are infrequent.
・You will need to transfer buses to travel from Ryotsu Port to Ogi.
・The bus ride from Ryotsu Port to Ogi takes about 2 hours one way.
・There are few buses that go to Yajima-Kyojima and Shukunegi, which are famous for their tub boats.

Travel by Chartered Taxi

Can't drive? You could also charter a taxi for a few hours, or for the day. It may be a pricier option, but it can be convenient if you only have one day to visit, or for a group.

Travel by Bicycle

When the weather’s nice, it feels amazing to cycle on the island. The island is very big, so this is a good option if you are a cyclist eager to travel 40km or more a day! If you want to enjoy exploring by cycling, but keep distances shorter, you can also take a local bus to Aikawa or Ogi, and then use a bicycle to explore the area there.

Bike Rentals: You can rent a bicycle at one of the Tourism Information Centers in Aikawa (Kirarium Sado) or Ogi (Ogi Tourist Information Center). In Ryotsu, local shop Sado Outdoor Base (5 minute walk from Sado Kisen Terminal) also offers a selection of rental bicycles.

Bring your Own Bike: You can also bring your own bicycle to Sado, just disassemble, put into a bike bag and purchase a 500 yen 'Te-Nimotsu'/Hand Luggage ticket at Sado Kisen to bring it onto the ferry. Note that a bicycle bag is also required to bring bicycles on local buses.

The SADO - NIIGATA Discount Pass

The SADO NIIGATA Pass is convenient if you are visiting both Niigata City and Sado Island, and planning to travel by Bus.
This package gets you:

・ 3-Day Bus Pass for Sado Island
・ 1-Day Bus Pass for the Niigata City Loop Bus
・ Return Trip Bus Ticket between Niigata Station and Sado Kisen Niigata Port
・ Ferry Round-trip Ticket to Sado Island (Niigata - Ryotsu Port, Car Ferry 2nd Class)
・ 2-Hour Electric Bicycle Rental on Sado Island (at Aikawa Tourist Information Center, Minami-sado Tourist Information Center)

This pass is only available to foreign (Non-Japan) passport holders.

Experience the Island by booking a Sado Island Adventure

Discover the authentic culture and stunning nature of Sado Island by booking a Sado Island Adventure! Lots of fun experiences like Sea Kayaking, Sakiori Weaving, and Taiko Drumming are available. These experience programs are a great way to interact with locals and deepen your island experience.

Booking your adventure is easy: reserve online with a credit card at your convenience. Please note that all experiences require advance booking—a minimum of 3 days for some activities, and even more for others. We recommend checking availability and securing your spot before finalizing your travel plans.

Peak Seasons on the Island

    Red = Busy | Green = Less crowded
    (Note: This is an estimate—actual conditions may vary.)

    Enjoy & Respect Sado Island

    Check our tips on Sado Do's and Don't's before you visit the island so you can be sure to make a respectful visit.

    Useful Links

    We’ve gathered helpful resources for trip planning:

    Final Thoughts

    Beyond sightseeing, the real charm of Sado Island lies in its slow-paced atmosphere, rich nature, history, and warm hospitality. Take your time to soak it all in—your trip will be unforgettable! If you need assistance with anything, like booking a rental car or hotel, feel free to reach out to us at info(at)visitsado.com. We hope you enjoy Sado Island!

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