Sado Island, the magnificient
Sado Island consists of two parallel mountain ranges running roughly Southwest-Northeast, enclosing a central plain. The Ōsado (大佐渡) range, in the North, is slightly higher, with peaks of Mt. Kinpoku (金北山), the highest point of the island at 1172m, Mt. Myōken and Mt. Donden. Kosado (小佐渡) range in the South faces the Honshū coast. The highest point in Kosado is Ōjiyama (大地山) at 645m. Sado Island is in the Niigata prefecture.
The plain in between is called Kuninaka (国中) and is the most populated area. The Kuninaka plain opens on the Eastern side on the Ryōtsu Bay (両津湾), and on the Western side on Mano Bay (真野湾), where the longest river, Kokufugawa (国府川, also read Konogawa) goes to the sea.
The island has a global symmetrical shape. Lake Kamo (加茂湖), on the Eastern side of Kuninaka, is filled with salt water, and is a growing place for oysters.
While Sado Island used to be a place of exile for criminals or incumbent people a long time ago, a view of it now makes one forgets that this island is suppose to be a place of dread. If anything at all, it is a sanctuary.
Due to both its rich history and its relaxed rural atmosphere, Sado is one of the major tourist destinations in Niigata Prefecture. The island has several temples and ruins remnant of its past, and offers possibilities for various outdoor activities, as well as fresh local food.
Sado is famous as the major breeding area for the Japanese Crested Ibis. The last known Japan-born Japanese Crested Ibis died in captivity in 2003 on the island. Currently, birds from China are being bred in a captive programme in a facility in Niibo area. The Ibis, Toki in Japanese, is a major symbol of the Island and can be found on several tourist items. There are plans to release Ibis in the wild at the end of 2008.
There are many small local traditional festivals, and since 1988 there is a major yearly arts festival run by the taiko group Kodō. The group lives on the island year-round, reportedly in spartan conditions, preparing for the annual show. Attendance is restricted and the tickets are highly sought.
Sado tourism industry suffered direct (though limited) as well as indirect damage from the 2004 Chūetsu earthquake, as access routes inside the Niigata prefecture were cut.
Beautiful.
Official website: Sado Island
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