Sado Island Tour with Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Niigata Dep.)
Things to know
About the Activity
This value-packed trip with a government-licensed guide and private vehicle is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Sado Island from Niigata City! Sado Island is well known as the “island of exile” or the “island of gold” for being deeply connected with historical figures, tradition, and ancient culture. It’s one of the largest Japanese islands, located 32km off the coast of the Niigata Prefecture. Even with so much to offer its visitors, it remains one of Japan’s best off-the-beaten-path destinations. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.10 hours
Private Tour
Pickup offered
Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Availability and Prices
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Travel Date
//
Travelers
Traveler : 1
Inclusions & Exclusions
Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list'
Private vehicle in Sado Island
Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
The ferry fares: the adult single fare Niigata-Ryotsu on the Jetfoil 7180 yen with return 13750 yen
Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
More Activities in Niigata Prefecture
Filter By Date
//
Sort By
Travel Itinerary
- Exclusive to travelers from this booking.
Locations in the itinerary
1
Ryotsu Port
353 Ryotsu Minato, Sado, Japan, 952-0014It takes an hour from Niigata port to Ryotsu port of Sado Island by Sado Jetfoil.Adult: 13,190yen、Child: 6,620 yen（For yourself and your guide）1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location2
At Sado, the round tubs can be freely and easily maneuvered, which resulted in them being used as fishing boats. At Rikiya Kankō Kisen at Ogi Port, you can experience riding on this Tarai Bune.1 hour • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location
3
Shukunegi
Shukunegi, , Sado, JapanShukunegi is a settlement near Ogi Port, located on the southern side of Sado Island. Here, some 100 wooden houses crowd together on a narrow strip of land facing the sea.
Shukunegi is characterized by its complicated and narrow alleys and the houses of shipwrights and freight vessel owners from around 1850 still exist. It is the only Group of Traditional Buildings in Niigata Prefecture. You can also take a tour of the extravagant residences that portray the splendor of the time when prosperity was abounding due to commerce along the Kitamaebune, a shipping route from around 200 years ago that went from Osaka to ports in Hokuriku on the Sea of Japan, then later on to Hokkaido.1 hour • Admission Ticket FreeView Location4
Toki no Mori Park
383-2 Niibonagaune, , Sado, Japan, 952-0101The scientific name of the crested ibis is “Nipponia nippon,” and it was a bird that could be seen normally around East Asia.
However, due to hunting and environmental destruction, including the use of pesticides on fields and forestry development, from the middle of the 19th century, their numbers started to drop rapidly, and even in Japan, there were only about 20 of them left in 1960. In 2003, Japanese crested ibises became extinct.1 hour • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location5
Sado City Niibo Museum of History and Folklore
492, Niibo Ryuya, Sado, JapanThe Sado History Museum is recommended if you want to learn about Sado’s history and legends. Sado was established as a penal colony a long time ago, and Imperial Families, aristocrats, and other cultured people were sent there.
In this facility, among them, Emperor Juntoku, Nichiren Shonin, the sect founder of Nichiren, and Zeami, the founder of noh, are reenacted using robots. You can observe their state at the time through speech and dances.1 hour • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location6
Historic Relic Sado Gold Mine
1305 Shimoaikawa, , Sado, Japan, 952-1501At Sado Kinzan, you can explore and observe up close “Dohyu-no-Warito,” the symbol of the Sado mine, tunnels dug by hand in the Edo period, and machines and tunnels made with modern technology.
It was active from the start of the 1600s to 1989, for almost 400 years, and the tunnels that were continuously dug spread out like an ant’s nest for a total length of approximately 400km. Apparently, this is about the distance between Sado and Tokyo.1 hour • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView Location7
Kitazawa Flotation Plant
3-2 Kitazawacho, Sado, Japan, 952-0000Along with Sadokinzan, we highly recommend dropping by Kitazawa Fuyūsenkōbaato, which translates to "Kitazawa Flotation Plant Ruins"!
With bare concrete and covered in vines, this facility was the first facility in Japan to use a method of extracting minerals called flotation. Apparently, it processed at least 50,000 tons of ore in a month and was of such a scale that it was extolled as the "largest in the East."
Now, only the infrastructure of the building remains, and this dynamic space that is becoming one with nature is open to the public.
Visitors are free to explore it and can also look at the group of mining facilities within the compound. The sight of it being lit up at night, which only takes place for a limited period of time, packs a real punch.1 hour • Admission Ticket FreeView Location8
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park
835-1 Nishimikawa, , Sado, Japan, 952-0434At Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park, visitors can experience the actual panning of gold dust on Sado. It works by using a green plate with lines on its side called a pan to shake and remove gravel in water; the relatively heavier gold dust will appear at the bottom. It is an activity that we highly recommend experiencing when visiting Sado.1 hour • Admission Ticket Not IncludedView LocationMeeting and Pickup
Pickup details
Tour operator will pick up all customers from their respective locations- Travelers CANNOT choose a custom pickup or meeting location.
- Your guide will meet you at Niigata Port and accompany you to Sado Island. Your driver will be waiting for you at Ryotsu Port on Sado Island. *The ferry fares are not included in the tour price. The adult single fare Niigata-Ryotsu on the Jetfoil is presently 7,180 yen with return 13,750 yen (As of August 2023)
- Travelers will be picked up 10 minutes before departure time
Pickup points
Additional Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
- Tour dates can be changed up to 2 days before the tour. Any tour date change may result in a change of tour guide or tour unavailability.
Language And Guide
Tour Guide Available In
- Japanese
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
No redemption point. This is a direct entry ticketCancellation & Refunds
Cancellable up to 24 hours before the travel date (local supplier time) for a full refund. A 100% cancellation penalty applies for cancellations submitted less than 24 hours before the start time.- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Suplier may cancel the activity on account of bad weather conditions.
- Cancel at least 1 day before activity starts in Asia/Tokyo time to receive 100% refund.
Reviews from Travelers
★51 Reviews
Excellent
★★★★★ (1)
Good★★★★ (0)
Average★★★ (0)
Poor★★ (0)
Terrible★ (0)
Filter By Rating
Sort By
No reviews found!Operated by Japan Guide AgencyCreated on 06 Apr 2022Created on 27 Jun 2025
Can we help?Can' t find the tours you want? Contact Travalour. We'll find them for you.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply