Island Practicalities
The main gateway to Sado is Ryotsu town, on the east coast, which has ferry and air connections with Niigata. Sado Kisen (Niigata tel 025/245-1234; Ryotsu tel 0259/27-5111) operates car ferries (6-8 daily; 2hr 20min; from Y2060) and jet-foil services (3-11 daily; 1hr; Y5960 one way, or Y10,730 five-day return ticket) from Niigata's Sado Kisen Terminal . Reservations are required for the jet-foil and recommended for all crossings in the high summer season. Light aeroplanes operated by Kyokushin Air (Niigata tel 025/273-0312, Ryotsu tel 0259/23-5005) make the crossing from Niigata to Ryotsu airport in 25 minutes (2-5 daily; Y7350 one way, or Y11,020 seven-day return), from where buses shuttle to Ryotsu's bus station (15min; Y220), underneath the ferry terminal. Sado Kisen ferries also operate between Naoetsu port, south of Niigata (20min by bus from Naoetsu Station), and Ogi on the island's south coast. In this case the jet-foils only run from April to late November (2 daily; 1hr; fares as for Ryotsu), though car ferries continue all year (2-7 daily; 2hr 30min; fares as for Ryotsu). Lastly, the ferry service from Teradomari to Akadomari on the island's southeast coast (2-3 daily except Jan 21-Feb 7; 2hr; from Y1410) follows the old route of exile. You'll find maps, bus timetables and other information at each of the ferry terminals, though it's worth arriving in Ryotsu to make the most of their well-provisioned office and English-speaking staff before heading into the wilds. As long as you allow plenty of time, it's possible to get around most of the island by public buses . However, note that in winter some services only operate at weekends, while others stop completely. Even at the best of times, a number of routes have only two or three buses per day, so make sure you carry a copy of the island's bus timetable - it's all in Japanese, but the essentials are reasonably easy to understand. If you get stuck, Sado islanders have a good reputation for picking up hitchhikers. An easier option is to take a tour and there's a whole array of tour buses around the island, varying according to the season and which port you arrive at. The most interesting route is probably the "Skyline Course" (April-Nov; Y4000-8000), since this takes you on a scenic toll road over the northern mountains. Skyline tours depart from both Ryotsu and Ogi. Tickets are available from travel agents, in the ferry terminals or at the relevant bus stations; in summer it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance. By far the most flexible option for exploring Sado is to rent a car . You'll find Sado Kisen Rent-a-car (tel 0259/27-5195) at all three ferry terminals, while Nippon Rent-a-car (tel 0259/23-4020) and Watanabe Sansho Rent-a-car (tel 0259/27-5705) also have offices on the island. A day's rental costs around Y6000 for the smallest vehicle, but prices go up roughly ten percent in July and August. Sado Kisen also rents out motorbikes and bicycles , which are a good alternative for the central plain and some of the quieter coast roads. You can also rent bikes in Mano and at some youth hostels .
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