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

For all you sake fanatic out there in Japan, you’ll be happy to know that there will be a sake fair this coming March on the 15th and 16th. This annual fair includes well over 100 sake brewers from across the Niigata region. As you might have heard, Niigata region is well known for their good quality rice and rice wine.

Like a wine tasting fair, everyone above the age of 20 is welcome to join the sake fair and in tasting the various sakes blends from the Niigata region. Admissions for viewing is free however, if you want to go on a sake tasting spree, you would need to exchange 1000yen for a cup whereby you could go from stand to stand tasting their alcoholic wares. There will be performances scheduled to entertain guests and specialty food from Niigata will also be available.

How to get there come 15th March?

By train from Tokyo

Niigata Station can be reached from Tokyo Station in about two hours by Toki trains along the Joetsu Shinkansen. The one way journey costs around 10,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass.

The JR East “View” travel agency also offers special roundtrip packages for the Sake no jin event from Tokyo. They are available either for a daytrip (only 12,000 yen) or a two-day excursion packaged with hotel accommodation (from 21,500 yen).

By bus from Tokyo

There are hourly highway bus connections and an overnight bus between Tokyo (Ikebukuro Station) and Niigata. The one way trip takes about 5.5 hours and costs 5250 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 9450 yen.

From Niigata Station to Toki Messe

The Toki Messe convention center can be reached from Niigata Station by bus (about 10 minutes, 200 yen), by taxi (about 5 minutes, approx. 700 yen) or on foot (two kilometers, about 30 minutes).

Japan Guide.