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Tub boat craftsman always on the row in Sado Island!

Fujiko M.

by Fujiko M.

(33 reviews)
Last updated : Apr 24, 2022・3 min read

Itinerary Ideas

Kaneko-san,  he is always on the run?, no, on the row!

In Shukunegi, Kaneko-san, the tub boat craftsman, offers three courses of tub boat riding, 15 min., 25 min. and 35 min.

But he's plotting something new...??  Yes!

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I was the luckey one to be his companion and time-keeper for his new cruising course.  We left Shukunegi at 11:40.

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What is this rock formation??

It is the results of submarine volcanic activities occured billions of years ago in Sado.  The whole inland has been uplifted ( until now! ) by earthquakes and volcanic  and tectonic activites. Once a part of seabed has been uplifted and eroded by strong waves and winds. This area is selected as a part of Sado geo-site and you can enjoy Mars-like scenery from land and sea( by tub boat ).

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Wisteria flowers are almost in full bloom along the calm inlet located next to Shukunegi inlet.  11:55.

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"Kamenote" or "turtle hands" decolate blackish lava formations like chrysanthemum.  Actually they are the crustacean family.  12:05.

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The most southern part of Sado Island, Niiyazaki cape.

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Now we are rowing through that narrow passage toward open sea!!  Exciting?  Definitely!?  Well, I can't swim actually...But, I trust Kaneko-san completely and I wore a life-jacket just in case!!

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There are two of us on a tiny tub boat enjoying salty sea breeze on a beautiful spring day!  12:15.

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Actually, he was planning 1.5 to 2 hours cruise along the coast of Ogi peninsula but because of the headwind, we decided to cruise back to Shukunegi earlier.

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Arrived at Shukunegi at 12:30.   It was another wonderful and exciting cruise for me and definitely deserves a "special course"!

I highly recommend you to enjoy this course only when the weather, wind, wave and stamina of Kaneko-san permit!

Otsukaresamadeshita!!

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Fujiko M.

Fujiko M.

4.94 / 5
(33 reviews)
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Tours By Fujiko M.

Shukunegi - the village of sengokubune, sailingship of Edo eracover image

Shukunegi - the village of sengokubune, sailingship of Edo era

Sado
2 hours

This small coastal village once prospered as the center of shipbuilding industry during the Edo era. After the Meiji Restoration, the industry fell into decline due to the overall Westernization and the development of other transportation networks like railways. The village was once almost forgotten. However, the descendants stood up to restore the legacy of their ancesters and have been working hard to keep it. Building the exact replica of the old Edo-era sailing ship shows their enthusiasm and solidarity. In this tour, we stroll in the village, visiting one of the ship owner's house called "Seikuro" which is open to the public. You can see the skillfully built houses by ship carpenters. Then we visit Sado-koku Ogi Folk Museum which houses the exact replica of the old sengokubune ship called "Hakusan-maru", thousands of folkcrafts, household utensils, ship carpenters tools and more. Shukunegi was registered as the district of the Groups of Traditional Buildings. Once you step inside, you are in the maze of Edo era. * Special notice: "Seikuro" will be closed until Mar.31 Sado-koku Ogi Folk Museum will be closed on Mondays until March, 2016 Also closed from Dec.29 - Jan.3 for new year holidays. *Special choice: If some of the facilities are closed, we can go to Iwayasan Cove nearby to see 88 stone statues for a short pilgrimage.

FROM$57/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.
Fujiko M.
4.94 / 5
(33 reviews)
Sado Gold and Silver Mine: Relics tell you 400 years of historycover image

Sado Gold and Silver Mine: Relics tell you 400 years of history

Sado
2 hours 30 min

Sado has been well known as one of the major gold and silver production sites in Japan. It has the history of 1000 years. There are four major minig sites in Sado: Nishimikawa alluvial gold mine, Tsurushi silver mine, Niibo silver mine and Sado (Aikawa) gold and silver mine. Sado gold and silver mine was the biggest of all with 400 years of history. Mining in Aikawa started in the late 16th century and was halted in 1989. In this tour, we first visit Sado Gold and Silver Mine Museum, where we enter the Sodayu tunnel which is open to the public. The Sodayu tunnel was dug manually by thousands of mine workers during the Edo period. You can see the whole process of gold and silver production at that time. Then we see some old buildings and a relic built from Meiji to Showa era. These buildings were used to crush, store and smelt ores. Next, we visit the graveyard of Mushuku-nin(people without register) brought in from Edo and Osaka to work as drainage workers. Then, we walk down the street called Kyomachi-dori, once bustled with mine workers, government officials and towns people. Kyomachi-dori street linked Sado Magistrate Office to mining sites. Aikawa town was developed and divided into communities with same occupation. Along the way, we see old buildings, workshops, local grocery store and cafes. We walk past old bell tower, Sado Hanga-mura Museum(print museum) originally built as a district court and Sado Magistrate Office. Finally, we visit Kitazawa area, developed from Meiji to Showa era with modern Western mining technologies to produce gold and silver effectively. Ruined factories, thermal power plant and a 50-meter thickener have remained. Sado Gold and Silver Mine has practiced cutting-edge production methods of each era and you can see the authenticity here in Aikawa. FYI, walking distance is about 3 kilometers.

FROM$78/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.
Fujiko M.
4.94 / 5
(33 reviews)
Hina Doll Festival in Aikawa (seasonal tour in Sado From Mar.3 to Mar.20)cover image

Hina Doll Festival in Aikawa (seasonal tour in Sado From Mar.3 to Mar.20)

Sado
2 hours

Mar. 3rd is "Girl's day" called Hina Matsuri (dolls festival) in Japan. Households with girls display their Hina Dolls to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of their children. Aikawa town in Sado prospered from the beginning of the 17th century to the late 20th century along with the development of Sado Gold and Silver Mine. People of many kinds of professions moved to Aikawa from many parts of Japan to make a fortune and brought in colorful cultures and traditions which led to create an unique Sado culture and tradition. During this time of year, hotels, sightseeing spots, cafes, shops and even private homes exhibit their Hina Dolls for the public and visitors can enjoy walking in the town admiring dolls from different eras. In this tour, we walk around Aikawa town and visit places where Hina Dolls are displayed. With diverse historical backgrounds, there are many kinds of Hina Dolls in Aikawa, some of them from the Edo period or older, the others are made by modern craftsmen. FYI, No.1 At some hotels and restaurants, you can enjoy special "Hina Doll Festival" lunch. No.2 This is a walking tour in Aikawa, but some of the places are accessible by taxi.

FROM$36/ per person
Japan Tour Guide - Fujiko M.
Fujiko M.
4.94 / 5
(33 reviews)

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