Travel to Shukunegi
Find out how to get to Shukunegi in Sado, a village which prospered during the shipping industry.
Getting to Sado
The only way to get to Sado from mainland Niigata is by ferries or jetfoils. Sado has three gateway ports, so there are three routes: from Niigata City to Ryotsu, from Teradomari to Akadomari, and from Naoetsu to Ogi.
By Ferry and Jetfoil
| Car Ferries | Jetfoils | Fast Car Ferry "Akane" | High-speed Passenger Boat "Aibisu" | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niigata-Ryotsu | Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins | Approx. 65 mins | - | - |
| Naoetsu-Ogi | Approx. 2 hrs 40 mins | - | Approx. 1 hr 40 mins | - |
| Teradomari-Akadomari | - | - | - | Approx. 65 mins |
Boarding a ship
If you are traveling with a vehicle (on car ferries only), please complete the vehicle application form and submit it at the ticket booth. You may need to show your vehicle registration to check the vehicle dimensions. Please, have it with you when booking.
Please visit Sado Kisen's website for more details.
Ship Information
Car Ferries
Car ferries, 120-134 metres in length, are large passenger ships which can carry vehicles.
There are many choices of room types aboard the ship, including large, carpeted rooms in second class, smaller first class rooms, Special Class cabins and an ensuite cabin.
Jetfoils
Jetfoils are high-speed boats (fully-submerged hydrofoil). All passengers are allocated a seat. By lifting the boat's hull out of the water with jet power, the boat skims the surface at an ultra-high-speed of 80km/h!
High-speed Passenger Boat "Aibisu"
The Aibisu is a high-speed ferry servicing the Teradomari to Akadomari route. All passengers are allocated a seat.
Aibisu is named after the English translation of toki, Japanese crested ibis. The name was decided and the ship was designed on the concept of Japanese crested ibises flying high in the future.
Getting to Niigata
You can travel to Niigata, a city of water with a population of over 800 thousand, by plane, train, or expressway.
By Plane
The nearest airport to Sado is Niigata Airport.
Niigata Airport is located eight kilometers from Sado Kisen Niigata Ferry Terminal. It takes 30-40 minutes by taxi and the fare is approximately 2,600JPY.
There are also bus shuttle services available between the airport and the port, operating via Niigata Station.
| Domestic Flight | Routes | Flight Duration |
|---|---|---|
| New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 1 hr 15 mins | |
| Nagoya (Komaki) Airport (Aichi) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 55 mins | |
| Chubu Centrair International Airport (Aichi) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 55 mins | |
| Osaka International (Itami) Airport (Osaka) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 55 mins | |
| Fukuoka Airport (Fukuoka) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 1 hr 40 mins | |
| Naha Airport (Okinawa) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 2 hrs 50 mins |
| International Flight | Routes | Flight Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Khabarovsk Novy Airport (Russia) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 2 hrs 10 mins | |
| Vladivostok International Airport (Russia) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 1 hr 30 mins | |
| Harbin Taiping International Airport (China) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 2 hrs 20 mins | |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport (China) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 3 hrs | |
| Incheon International Airport (Korea) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins | |
| Antonio B. Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal (US) - Niigata Airport | Approx. 3 hrs 45 mins |
Highway Buses (*Advance booking is required.)
Buses are slower than other transport, but you can choose daytime or overnight services to suit your needs.
| Routes | Route Details | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo-Niigata | For details, please contact Niigata Kotsu, Echigo Kotsu or Seibu Bus Company. | Approx. 5 hrs 30 mins |
| Tokyo-Naoetsu | For details, please contact Tokyo Kosoku Buses or Seibu Bus Company. | Approx. 5 hrs 50 mins |
| Osaka-Niigata | For details, please contact Niigata Kotsu or Hankyu Bus Company. | Approx. 9 hrs |
| Nagoya-Niigata | For details, please contact Niigata Kotsu or Meitetsu Bus Company. | Approx. 7 hrs |
| Aizuwakamatsu | For details, please contact Niigata Kotsu. | Approx. 2 hrs |
By Car
Driving your own car or a rental car is the most convenient way to get around Sado.
| Route | Via Points | Travel Distance and Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo-Niigata | Nerima Interchange (Exit) - (Kan-etsu Expressway) - Nagaoka Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Niigata Nishi IC (Exit) | Approx. 300km / Approx. 4 hrs |
| Tokyo-Naoetsu | Nerima Interchange (Exit) - (Kan-etsu Expressway) - Nagaoka Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Joetsu IC (Exit) | Approx. 312km / Approx. 4 hrs |
| Nerima Interchange (Exit) - (Kan-etsu Expressway) - Fujioka Jct. - (Joshin-etsu Expressway) - Joetsu Jct. (Hokuriku Expressway) -Joetsu IC (Exit) | Approx. 290km / Approx. 3 hrs 40 mins | |
| Osaka-Niigata | Suita IC (Exit) - (Meishin Expressway) - Maibara Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Niigata Nishi IC (Exit) | Approx. 583km / Approx. 7 hrs |
| Osaka-Naoetsu | Suita IC (Exit) - (Meishin Expressway) - Maibara Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Joetsu IC (Exit) | Approx. 466km / Approx. 5 hrs 40 mins |
| Nagoya-Niigata | Komaki Higashi IC - (Chuo Expressway) - Okaya Jct. - (Nagano Expressway) - Koshoku Jct. - (Joshin-etsu Expressway) - Joetsu Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Niigata Nishi IC (Exit) | Approx. 438km / Approx. 5 hrs 30 mins |
| Nagoya-Naoetsu | Komaki Higashi IC - (Chuo Expressway) - Okaya Jct. - (Nagano Expressway) - Koshoku Jct. - (Joshin-etsu Expressway) - Joetsu Jct. - (Hokuriku Expressway) - Joetsu IC (Exit) | Approx. 321km / Approx. 4 hrs |
| Fukushima-Niigata | Koriyama Higashi IC - (Ban-etsu Expressway) - Niigata Chuo IC (Exit) | Approx. 149km / Approx. 2 hrs |
Travelling around Sado
Roads on Sado are narrow compared to the mainland and have many tunnels. There is not a railway on Sado, so driving your own car is the best way to get around at your own pace. Sado, also, has extensive bus networks, and buses play a vital role for both islanders and visitors. Other travel options include fixed-route, escorted tour bus services, taxis, and rental cars.
Bus
Scheduled Tour Bus (escorted)
Tour bus services operate from Ryostu Port or Ogi Port to accommodate passengers arriving by Sado Kisen's ships. Bus tours are themed or planned to include only strictly-selected highlights, so you can efficiently visit the most popular tourist sites. All bus tours require advance booking, and you may join on the day of the tour only if vacancies are available. For details, please contact a tour operator, or Niigata Kotsu Sado Sightseeing Bus Booking Centre at 0259-52-3200.
Regular Bus Services
There are 16 bus routes covering the vast area of the island, and buses help make it easy to get to remote communities, where tour buses do not go. In some places, you can get on and off the bus where-ever you like. This is not possible on the Honsen Line, however, or on some of the other main lines. Some bus services operate very infrequently and you might need to make some transfers, depending on your destinations. Please make sure to check timetables in advance. A two-day, unlimited ride pass is available on weekends and holidays.
For details, please visit Niigata Kotsu Sado's website.
*See timetables
Taxi
There are three types of taxi: small taxi can accommodate up to five passengers; medium up to six; and jumbo taxi up to ten (including a driver).
There are seventeen basic sightseeing taxi tour courses with a driver doubling as a tour guide. The courses can be customised to suit your preferences based on consultation.
Regular taxi services operate, too.
[Ryotsu]
- Sado Kanko Taxi （0259-23-4116）
- Ryotsu Taxi （0259-27-3221）
- Minato Taxi （0259-27-2181）
[Kanai]
Okesa Kanko Taxi （0259-63-3348）
[Sawata]
- Niigata Kotsu Sado（0259-57-5123）
- Chuo Taxi （0259-52-3161）
- Naito Taxi （0259-52-2174）
- Okesa Kanko Taxi （0259-51-1111）
[Aikawa]
Aikawa Taxi （0259-74-3134）
[Hatano]
Sado Kanko Taxi （0259-66-2030）
[Mano]
- Naito Taxi （0259-55-2177）
- Mano Taxi （0259-55-2167）
[Ogi]
Niigata Kotsu Sado （0259-86-2114）
[Hamochi]
Niigata Kotsu Sado （0259-88-2101）
Car Hire
You can hire a car at both Ryotsu Port and Ogi Port.
There are many choices of car types, varying from compact to estate cars.
Hiring a car is the best way to travel leisurely at your own pace.
[Ryotsu]
- Sado Kisen Kanko （0259-27-5195）
（Car hire is available at Sado Kisen's quayside offices in Niigata, Naoetsu, Ryotsu and Ogi, and also at Sado Kisen Information Desks throughout Japan.） - Watanabe Sansho （0259-27-5705）
- Toyota Rent a Car （0259-27-2100）
- Mazda Rent a Car Ryotsu Branch （0259-24-7211）
- Island Rent a Car （0259-23-2455）
- Nippon Rent-A-Car Service （0259-23-4020）
[Ogi]
- Ogiya Mazda Rent a Car （0259-86-3103）
- Sado Rent a Car （0259-86-3010）
[Akadomari]
Maesado Unso (0259-87-3101)
Bicycle Hire
Ordinary and electric bikes are available.
Where to hire a bike
- Sado Tourism Association Ryotsu Tourist Information Office (0259-27-5000)
- Sado Tourism Association Mano Tourist Information Office (0259-55-3589)
- Sado Tourism Association Minami Sado Tourist Information Office (0259-86-3200) *Electric bikes only
- Niigata Kotsu Sado Aikawa Tourist Information Office (0259-74-3131)
PLEASE SHOW RESPECT TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. Please do not litter or smoke while walking.
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