Travel Guide Ryōtsu

Sado Island, whose capital is Ryōtsu, is located off Niigata. It represents the fifth largest Japanese island by area (857 km²) and is definitely the largest island in the Sea of Japan. During the Nara period (710-794), Sado became independent with its own capital and temple, the Kokubun-ji, which still exists. Nicknamed "the Island of Exile", it is distinguished from most Japanese cities by its unique culture, forged by the various waves of immigrants it has experienced since the 13th century. In fact, Sado has had a rather sulphurous reputation since the Middle Ages in relation to its function as a land of immigration for intellectuals or high-ranking people who had lost the favour of the authorities. These exiles, after 1601, when gold was discovered on the island, became convicts, forced to work in the mine. During the Edo period, Sado came under the direct control of the shōgunat, which saw in the exploitation of the gold mines a significant source of income. Sado offers the visitor beautiful scenery, a rural pace of life and many festivals, especially recommended for taiko lovers. Ryōtsu is the main town of Sado (population 16,800). Its location makes it rather curious, as it faces the ocean on one side and backs onto the Kamo Lagoon, a 15 km long water belt, on the other. Traditional okesa and ondeko music and dance performances can be seen nightly from April to October at Ryōtsu Kaikan. Not to be missed is the Sado Nō-gaku-no-sato, an interesting museum about nō, although the explanations are in Japanese. The best time to visit Sado is from April to November.