Floating in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Niigata, Sado Island is Japan’s largest remote island ? accessible in just about an hour via high‐speed jetfoil from Niigata Port. Rich in history and natural beauty, Sado offers a journey unlike any other.

A Legacy of Gold and Culture Sado flourished during the Edo period as a center of gold mining.

The gold extracted here was cast into coins that supported the finances of the Tokugawa shogunate. Today, the remnants of these historic mines have been recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, drawing visitors from around the world.

Coastlines Carved by Time Stretching over 280 kilometers, Sado’s coastline is a masterpiece of geological drama. Along the Sotokaifu Coast, tectonic uplift and relentless waves have sculpted sea cliffs and marine terraces into a breathtaking 50‐kilometer stretch of rugged beauty.

Forests of Ancient Giants In the northern Osado Mountains, forests of natural cedar trees over 300 years old line the ridges. Each tree is uniquely shaped by time and weather, forming a mystical landscape. From spring to summer, alpine flowers bloom along mountain trails, painting the valleys with vibrant color. Sado’s rich biodiversity is shaped by its unique geography. Here, northern and southern plant species coexist, creating an environment unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Discover Sado Through Amano’s Lens Takashi Amano was also captivated by Sado’s raw beauty. Since the 1980s, he visited the island repeatedly, capturing its essence ‐ from underwater scenes of the majestic Asian sheepshead wrasse to towering cedars like the Kong? Cedar, which was featured at the G8 Summit in Hokkaido.

Amano also documented Sado’s gold and silver mine ruins for UNESCO registration efforts, and photographed the island’s terraced rice fields for FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), showcasing landscapes shaped by generations of sustainable farming. At i‐Port Sado, a roadside station near Ryotsu Port, Amano’s large‐format photographs are on permanent display ‐ capturing Sado’s seasonal moods, from the ocean floor to the mountain peaks.

Why Sado Captivates the Soul What makes Sado so special? It’s the harmony between mountain and sea. Streams flowing from peaks over 1,000 meters nourish the ocean with minerals, sustaining a rich marine ecosystem. The island’s vivid seasonal changes shape its delicate and dynamic landscapes. To truly understand Sado, you must stand within itbreathe its air, walk its trails and coastlines, and feel its rhythm.

We invite you to experience the timeless beauty of Sado Island. Let its landscapes speak to you, just as they did to Takashi Amano.