Trekking on Sadogashima Island
A gateway to natural beauty
From its magnificent coasts to its mountain ranges, from its rice terraces to its primitive forests, from its villages swept by the sea winds to its ancestral temples, the island of Sado, Sadogashima in Japanese, is an island of great beauty. If it is better known for its coastal landscapes, it nevertheless has two mountain ranges where you can take beautiful hikes.
Most of the island is part of national parks: Sado-Yahiko-Yoneyama Quasi-National Park and Kosado Prefectural Park. Nature lovers will discover extremely varied vegetation during their walks in the mountains or the forest.
Sadogashima is crossed from east to west by two mountain ranges, Osado to the north and Kosado to the south, separated by a vast plain, Kuninaka, famous for its rice cultivation.
Hikes off the beaten path from the top of the mountain
In the Osado range, the hiking trail allows you to climb Mount Donden (from its official name Tadaramine, 934 meters above sea level). From the top, there is a breathtaking view of the Kosado range, the Kuninaka plain, and Ryotsu bay.
This mountainous region is rich in alpine plants and wildflowers. It has also been designated as one of the "100 New Best Flower Mountains" and "100 New Best Mountains in Japan". The best time to hike there is between April and early July.
The less sporty or those in a hurry can enjoy nature and landscapes by taking the " Osado Ishina cedar forest walk ". The entrance to the hiking trail is accessible by car.
Then the walk, which stretches on a 650-meter long path, can be done in about an hour of walking round trip through different varieties of cedars, some of which are said to be more than three hundred years old. Halfway, weather permitting, you can enjoy a beautiful panorama.
- Also discover Yakushima, the island of ancient cedars.
The Kosado mountain range includes the Ogamiyama and Megumiyama mountains, famous for their fall foliage. A hiking trail leads to Momijiyama Park, which hosts a festival every last Sunday in October.
Hike by the sea
Those who prefer to visit the coasts can also indulge in hiking between the two famous rocks Onogame and Futatsugame near the northern end of the island. Onogame is a huge monolith 167 meters high protruding into the sea. Futatsugame (literally "Two turtles") is a rock that looks like two turtles huddled together.
These two rocks are connected by a hiking trail of about 4 kilometers. Along the way is the Sai-no-Kawara cave, filled with statues of jizo, a Buddhist deity who protects deceased children. This somewhat sad visit is compensated by the splendor of the landscapes that this trail offers.
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
Sado is connected to the city of Niigata, located 45 km away, by a ferry service (2h20) or express boat (1 hr).