Bus Service
Niigata Kotsu Sado
Phone: 0259-52-3200
Address: 80 Kawaharada-Suwamachi, Sado Island, Niigata
URL: http://www.sado-bus.com/
Offices are located in Ryotsu Port, Aikawa, and Sawata.
We operate fixed-route bus services throughout the island. Fares are distance-based per trip, starting at ¥260 and capped at ¥860, and are paid when getting off the bus.
When boarding, take a numbered ticket or tap your card or smartphone bearing the EMV Contactless Symbol. See the Hop-on Hop-off zones for illustrated instructions on how to board.
Tap-to-Pay is available on most #1 Honsen Line buses (Ryotsu–Aikawa; some go to Sado Gold Mine; early morning services excluded). Tap-to-Pay–enabled credit cards or smartphones bearing the EMV Contactless Symbol can be used, and the same card/smartphone may be used for multiple passengers — please inform the driver when getting off the bus.
Fixed Route Bus lines are identified by number.
Most buses displays a sign on the LED destination board (or behind the windshield) indicating its line number with a capital letter of the destination (e.g. 2S means the bus is bound for Sawata on Line #2, Minami Line). New vehicles have the LED destination board displaying line # with the destination in bilingual. Dashed lines indicate Hop-on Hop-off zones.
Unlimited-ride passes are available: • 1-day: ¥2,000 • 2-day: ¥3,000 • 3-day: ¥3,500 (Prices as of January 2026; subject to change.) Paper passes can be purchased at tourist information offices (Ryotsu, Aikawa, and Ogi), the Sawata Bus Station, or directly on the bus (cash only). These passes are also available in Cashless and digital payments.
Payment and Pass Options:
• Cash (single ride): Pay the fare in cash when getting off the bus. For cash payment, please have small change (coins) or a ¥1,000 bill ready. Large bills (¥2,000, ¥5,000, ¥10,000) not accepted.
• Tap-to-Pay (single ride): Available only on selected buses mentioned above. Suica, PASMO, and other mobile payments are not supported.
• Unlimited-ride passes (paper or digital passes): Available as described above.
• Additionally, foreign passport holders are eligible to purchase the JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area),which includes a 3-day bus pass valid on Sado Island.
Dashed lines indicate Hop-on Hop-off zones.
1) Honsen Line: Ryotsu – Kanai – Sawata – Aikawa
2) Minami-sen Line: Ryotsu – Niibo – Hatano – Mano – Sawata
3) Higashi-kaigan Line: Ryotsu – Ogawa – Kakinoura- Oda
4) Uchikaifu Line: Ryotsu – Washizaki – Futatsugame – Iwayaguchi
5) Unused number
6) Nanaura-kaigan Line: Sawata – Futami – Aikawa – (Gold Mine) – Aikawa *This service includes a loop service from Aikawa connecting Sado Gold Mine and returns to Aikawa.
7) Maehama Line: Hamochi High School – Akadomari – Oda
8) Watatsu Line: Hamochi High School – Ichinomiya – Kami-kawamo (The operation is currently suspended as of March 1, 2024)
9) Kaifu Line: Aikawa – Senkakuwan – Iwayaguchi
10) Ogi Line: Sawata – Mano – Ichinomiya – Ogi
11) Shukunegi Line: Ogi – Shukunegi – Taiko Centre -Sawasaki – Ettsumi (The operation is currently suspended as of March 1, 2024)
12) Unused number
13) Kuninaka-Kanamaru Line: Sawata – Kanai – Niibo – Hatano – Mano Kanai – Sawata This is a loop line service.
14) Matsugasaki Line (former Iwakubui Line): Sawata – Kanai – Hatano – Hongyoji Temple
15) Unused number
16) Akadomari Line: Sawata – Mano – Akadomari – Ogi
17) Unused number
18) Sobama Liner: Ogi – Sobama Beach
*Seasonal Service
