Goshogake Onsen is located on the slopes of Mount Hachimantai in Akita prefecture, at Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Goshogake Onsen is a simple ryokan with an onsen open to all, guest or not. What is by far the most interesting around Goshogake Onsen is the shear beauty of the […]
Read moreHaving been a port since the medieval times, Shukunegi went through a prosperous 17th century brought about by the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. It was developed as a kitamaebune (a famous shipping route from the Edo period) port of call for the merchant shipping industry. [...]
Read moreHaving been a port since the medieval times, Shukunegi went through a prosperous 17th century brought about by the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine. It was developed as a kitamaebune (a famous shipping route from the Edo period) port of call for the merchant shipping industry. [...]
Read moreEvery second Sunday in March, the Takaosan Yakuoin Buddhist temple holds a unique fire-walking festival known as the Hiwatari-Sai Matsuri where Yamabushi monks display the depth of their faith and asceticism by walking barefoot over smoldering coals, the remains of the matsuri sacred fire.
Read moreFounded in 1349 as the first Jishu School temple in Sado, Shokoji is a small little temple tucked away in the back of the little Shukunegi village south of Sado Island. Shokoji has been enshrining the Tokai Benzaiten or the sea-crossing goddess, since its inception and has continuously […]
Read moreUsed for centuries by local fisherman living on the Ogi Peninsula, Hangiri are simple washtub boats made of cedar and bamboo grown on Sado Island. While Hangiri are no longer used by fisherman, it is still possible to enjoy a little “Hangiri” ride at different locations around Sado Island! [..]
Read moreOne of many Sado Island’s hidden scenic wonders is Onogame a 167-meter high monolith projecting into the sea. A true natural wonder who actually, believe it or not, won two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. But maybe one of Onogame’s most interesting things, […]
Read moreAround 8,000 cherry trees located along the Kawazu River, the Kawazu Sakura Festival is one of Japan’s most famous places for early cherry tree blossom viewing or hanami. Located on the Izu peninsula, Kawazu and its sakura festival attract almost two million visitors each year from mid-February through […]
Read moreChokokuji Temple was founded in 807 by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) on the picturesque island of Sado in Niigata prefecture. Chokokuji features a unique design imitating the famous Hasedera Temple in Yamato prefecture. It goes to the extent to even use Hasedera Temple Kanji : 長谷寺. [...]
Read moreStretching over 350m high in Sado’s beautiful mountains, Iwakubi Shoryu Tanada (rice terraces) has been passed down from generations to generations of farmers since around the Edo Period with over 460 paddies still used today. [...]
Read moreOne of Sado Island’s attractions, besides its many beautiful temples and it’s gorgeous landscape, is the many Noh (Japanese traditional play) that are actually performed by local villagers in some of the many temples of the Island. Here unlike many other places in Japan […]
Read moreIt was under Emperor Kanmu's ordinance, in 808 that Seisuiji Temple was founded by a Buddhist monk who came from Kyoto while traveling Japan on a missionary tour. Meaning “Salvation” in Japanese, Seisuiji Temple’s main hall is highly influenced by Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizu-dera [...]
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