8 DAYS DISCOVER THE TREASURES OF SADO ISLAND & NIIGATA

Upon arrival in Narita Airport, meet your guide and driver for the private car transfer to Tokyo Station, where you will board a bullet train to Niigata (approx. 2hrs).

Half-day Private Tour of Niigata Old Town
In Niigata, a private car will pick you up at the station and take you to visit the old town of Niigata. Niigata’s “Furumachi” or old town used to rival Kyoto for its geisha culture in days gone by, where sailors and merchants would visit in great numbers. Locally known as geigi, these traditional entertainers are still working today. Take a stop at a matcha shop with over 150 years of history to enjoy some Japanese sweets before visiting the Niigata Saitou Villa. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape garden, the villa was the former residence of the Saitou family, who were prosperous merchants during the Edo Period, and can now be visited and enjoyed as a fascinating piece of history. Depending on the date of travel, you can also enjoy an experience with local geigi. After, you will head to your accommodation in central Niigata at the end of the day.

Leave your hotel in the morning and head to the port with your guide. From here, catch the jetfoil ferry that will take you to Sado Island. 

Half-Day Sightseeing and Hike at Onogame and Futatsugame 

After arriving on the island, a private car will pick you up and drive you to the most-northern-points of the island, Onogame and Futatsugame. Both areas are rich with natural wonders, with an island shaped like a turtle which gives them their names. From late May to early July, yellow daylilies are in bloom in Onogame, making it a great place to have a short walk. 

At the end of the day, the private car will take you to your accommodation for dinner. 

Full-Day Discovery of Sado’s Gold Mining History 

Today you will explore the history of gold mining on Sado Island, one of the most important mining locations in the history of Japan. After breakfast, a private car will take you to Kirarium Sado, a small museum which uses image mapping technology to explain the history of gold mining on Sado Island. From here, pick up your rental bike and head to Sado Gold Mine, where you will head underground the explore the mining tunnels and see the giant mountain split down the middle from previous mining blasts.

Next, head to the Aikawa area and visit the Sado Bugyo, where the gold that was mined was refined and sorted in order to send to Tokyo. The surrounding old town is also home to a historic flotation plant and bell tower. All of these locations are connected to the rich history of the island. 

 1hr Taiko Drumming Experience 

A private car will pick you and your guide up and take you to a Taiko drumming class, where you can learn about this type of drumming that has been developed specifically to Sado Island.   

Full-day Exploration of Shukunegi 

Explore the southern part of the island, known for its small fishing towns. You will visit Shukunegi, a charming port town with a unique atmosphere. Visit the Ogi Folk Museum to learn more about the craftsmanship that the area is famous for, before taking a stroll through the town and visiting some of the historic residences. The area is also known for a special type of boat, called a “washtub boat” because of its shape, and is manned by one person.  

Today is your final day on Sado Island. Check out of your accommodation in the morning, before heading to your first location.  

Half-day Hidden Temples of Sado Island 

Sado Island was infamous as an island of exile, where convicted aristocrats were sent to spend their days. Many of the local Buddhist monks wanted to create temples that matched famous temples on the Japanese mainland so that the exiled could still visit. Today you will visit two of these temples. Chokokuij Temple was founded by Kobo Daishi in 807 and is said to have been built based on Hasedera Temple in current-day Nara. It is known at the temple of flowers, especially peonies. Another temple hidden within the forest is Seisuiji Temple, which imitates Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto due to its stage. Both temples have a much more archaic feel to them and enhance Sado as an island lost in time.   

Your private car will take you to the port where you will get the jetfoil ferry back to central Niigata. From here, you will head to your accommodation by car. 

Full Day Agriculture & Sake Experience in Niigata 

Today you will get to know the agricultural side of Niigata by starting the day with a visit to a farm with over 300 years of history. In this experience you can learn about the agricultural process depending on the season, from learning about the vegetables that are grown and the rice production that Niigata is famous for. Enjoy a lunch with all of the ingredients locally sourced.  

After this experience, you will head to a sake brewery where you can take a tour of the brewery to learn about the process of making sake.  

Finish the day by returning to your accommodation for dinner. 

After breakfast, check out of your hotel for today’s local experience.  

Half-day Discover Tsubame-Sanjo Artisan Town 

Your private guide and car will take you to the artisan’s town of Tsubame-Sanjo. Tsubame-Sanjo has a very long and successful history of manufacturing, in particular knives, tableware and other metal work crafts. To start the day, visit the Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum to learn about this rich history of craftsmanship, as well as take a short workshop where you can try out hammering a copper cup to create your own design to take home. There are several open factories around the city and we recommend a visit to either the Tadafusa Knife Factory or Gyokusendo, who focuses on copperware.   

If time allows, you can also visit the close-by Yahiko Shrine, one of the most famous in Niigata and home to over 2400 years of history and an Important Cultural Property.  

After your tour, you will head back to Niigata Station to get the bullet train to Echigo Yuzawa Station. From here, you will go to your accommodation in Yuzawa Onsen. 

Half-Day Hike in Oze National Park 

A private car will take you to the start of the hiking point in Oze National Park. In this 3 hour hike, you can enjoy the spacious nature of the national park, known for its beautiful wildflowers, marshland walks and mountain views.  

After the hike, a private car will pick you up again and take you to Jomokogen Station, where you will head to Tokyo Station by bullet train. From here, a private car will transfer you to Narita Airport.