Outdoor & Nature

Explore Sado's coastline on a serene kayak journey. Our qualified instructors lead a 3-hour two-seater tour through clear waters and natural rock formations. Courses are daily from April to October, chosen based on weather. Make a reservation at least one day in advance. Hands-on diving experiences are also available. Sea kayaking ¥6,600 (a tax incl.), hands-on diving ¥13,200 (a tax incl.)
Ogi Diving Center Official site https://www.visitsado.com/en/spot/detail0040/

Donden Lodge, a favored mountain retreat, sits near the Donden Plateau, close to Mt. Donden's summit (900m), chosen as one of Japan's top 100 mountains by mountaineer Motoo Iwasaki. Our deck offers stunning views of the island, with clear days revealing mainland mountain ranges and the occasional sea of clouds. Explore alpine flowers, trek, stargaze, and more. Accommodation and bathing are available.
Restaurant: Cafe 10am to 3pm; Lunch 11am - 2pm Bathing: 11am - 10m ¥500
Seasonal: mid Apr. - mid Nov.

Observe Sado’s natural cedar trees which have long been preserved in areas at an altitude of about 900m. The weather- beaten shapes formed over hundreds of years give human beings a strong message of how magnificent nature is. The Sado Tourism Association offers various guided (in Japanese) eco-tours to precious locations including primitive forests. For more information, call 0259- 27-5000 or write to: info@visitsado.com

Become one with nature. See unspoiled alpine flowers as you explore during the blooming season. Preservation of natural habitats is important to us: please mind your manners and respect the environment. Sado Trekking Map (Japanese) is available at Ryotsu Tourist Information Office. Various alpine plants are in flower from late April to early June. Also, the Sado Tourism Association offers various guided (in Japanese) eco-tours to precious locations including primitive forests (restricted preserved areas without a guide). For more information, call 0259-27-5000 or write to: info@visitsado.com

A playful way to pass the time aboard the Sado Kisen ferry: get some snack chips or crackers and head to the stern. You will see many sea-going birds chasing the ferry and your treat all the way across the Sado Strait. If you have luck, you may see a pod of dolphins from the deck.

The native ibis once faced extinction in 2003. However, through artificial breeding using identical species donated by China, there has been a remarkable revival, and the birds have been reintroduced to Sado's skies every year since 2008. Sado Island stands as the exclusive habitat where visitors have a chance to observe the toki, or the wild Japanese crested ibis. If you happen to witness toki flying over the fields, please remain silent and stay inside your vehicle to avoid disturbing them. For a closer observation, visitors can also explore the Toki Forest Park (Toki-no-mori Koen) for a closer observation.
While the number of the resident birds identified is now over 500 as of early 2024, the species is still considered critically endangered. Meanwhile, the local people practice biodiversity in farming, meaning they use fewer agrochemicals. Doing so helps secure feeding grounds that arise through the coexistence of human beings and nature. The methods were praised by FAO in 2011 and were added to its list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). 

According to numerous old legends on Sado Island, raccoon dogs often disguised themselves as human beings and occasionally helped people in hardship. Their prominence may be due to the lack of foxes on Sado, the traditional trickster animals of Japanese lore. Some still believe that the raccoon dog is an incarnation of the divine—God blesses you if you happen to see one during your stay. There is no wild foxes, bears, deer, bores or monkeys on the island by the way.