Transportation & Lodging | Getting to Sado
Now that you have decided to come and join in the festivities of Earth Celebration, the first thing you need to do is organize your accommodations and transport. Please make your reservations early to ensure a relaxing vacation on Sado Island.
Sado Kisen (Ferries)
There are three gateways to Sado: Niigata to Ryotsu, Naoetsu to Ogi and Teradomari to Akadomari. Please see the Sado Kisen website for prices, reservations and boarding-procedure information, and be sure to check the most recent timetable. This year during EC, Sado Kisen is providing the following special ferry services to facilitate travel back to the mainland after the festival.
Last Ferries after EC
- Ryotsu Port > Niigata Port (Car Ferry 2 hours 30 mins. Dep. Aug. 19-21 22:40)
- Ogi Port > Naoetsu Port (Car Ferry 2 hours 40 mins. Dep. Aug. 21 23:10)
Sado Kisen Timetable (Aug. 18 - 22)
Naoetsu - Ogi
Please note the Sado Kisen Ferry Naoetsu - Ogi route has a different schedule for odd and even-numbered dates.
*1 Aug. 21 only, *2 Aug. 18 & 20 only
Teradomari - Akadomari
Niigata - Ryotsu
Travel by Train
The nearest JR train stations to the ferry terminals are Niigata, Naoetsu, and Nagaoka (Akadomari port) station. Directions from major cities to the above stations using JR trains can be found on the Sado Tourism Association website. For those travelers coming from Tokyo or Osaka, please see our model transportation plans. In any case, please be sure to refer to the latest timetable issued by JR.
Sado Tourism Assn. "To Niigata Aboard JR"
Transportation & Lodging | Model Course
Night Bus/Express Bus
The “EC Charter Bus” is a direct night bus that travels between Tokyo to Ogi, Sado Island. One price includes bus and car ferry fares. For other express bus services, please see the Sado Tourism Association website.
Sado Tourism Assn. "To Niigata by Express bus"
Transportation & Lodging | EC Charter Bus
By Car
Car ferries run between Niigata - Ryotsu and Naoetsu - Ogi. Highway routes from major cities to the ports can be found on the Sado Tourism Association website.
Sado Tourism Assn. "To Niigata by Car"
By Plane
Please see the Sado Tourism Association website for routes to Niigata Airport, and check out our model travel plans for courses to and from Osaka. In any case, be sure to refer to the latest timetables issued by the airline companies.
