The SADO Golden Trail
2024.12.31
The SADO Golden Trail
A journey to Sado Island, surrounded by a precious natural environment!
Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Honshu, Japan, is an island formed by tectonic movements that began 3 million years ago and is the largest island in Japan, with an area of 850 square kilometers in the Sea of Japan.
In the past, Sado Island was a major producer of gold and silver in Japan, supporting the finances of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The gold and silver mines turned Sado into a huge mining town with a population of 50,000 people, ranking alongside some of the largest cities in Japan. With the development of the Sado gold and silver mines by the Tokugawa shogunate, the Mikuni Kaido was built as a highway connecting Sado and Edo, and was used to transport gold and silver mined on Sado, to and from the Sado Kinzan magistrates, and as a route for the Nagaoka clan and other feudal lords to travel to and from Edo, where the inn towns flourished.
This is a journey to Sado Island, which is surrounded by a precious natural environment with its characteristic topography and endemic species that have evolved in their own unique way, tracing the ancient roads traveled by the samurai who supported Japan. Visitors will experience the beautiful terraced rice fields, rice paddies, and island scenery through activities such as cycling and walking, taste Japan's representative food and sake that have been created by people living in harmony with nature, and experience the unique local culture to feel the richness of Niigata Prefecture!
In the past, Sado Island was a major producer of gold and silver in Japan, supporting the finances of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The gold and silver mines turned Sado into a huge mining town with a population of 50,000 people, ranking alongside some of the largest cities in Japan. With the development of the Sado gold and silver mines by the Tokugawa shogunate, the Mikuni Kaido was built as a highway connecting Sado and Edo, and was used to transport gold and silver mined on Sado, to and from the Sado Kinzan magistrates, and as a route for the Nagaoka clan and other feudal lords to travel to and from Edo, where the inn towns flourished.
This is a journey to Sado Island, which is surrounded by a precious natural environment with its characteristic topography and endemic species that have evolved in their own unique way, tracing the ancient roads traveled by the samurai who supported Japan. Visitors will experience the beautiful terraced rice fields, rice paddies, and island scenery through activities such as cycling and walking, taste Japan's representative food and sake that have been created by people living in harmony with nature, and experience the unique local culture to feel the richness of Niigata Prefecture!
SADO NO KIWAMI Vol. 2: Ultimate Cycling
Directions
From Tokyo Station, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa Station (about 70minutes). Travel by hired car for about 1 hour to Tokamachi-shi. Then return to Echigo-Yuzawa Station and take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station. From Niigata Station, take a private car to Niigata Port (about 20 minutes) and board a ferry to Sado Island. (2 and half hours)
In volume 2, through the bicycle enthusiast Mr. Ebina, we showcase the greatness of cycling, and brilliant views from the tops of mountain passes – ultimate experiences found on Sado that are not found anywhere else!
*Adventure tourism is a form of tourism that lets you enjoy the charms of a place more deeply by having an experience consisting of at least two of the three elements: “nature, activity, and culture”!