Travel in Niigata
Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
Historic Site Sado Gold Mine · 史跡佐渡金山
At Sado Gold Mine, walk actual tunnels to see how gold was extracted. Explore exhibits recreating Edo-period mining and modern mining equipment to compare how work changed over time.
Reach it by ferry from Niigata Port to Sado, followed by an island bus.
Visitor information
Address
〒952-1501 新潟県佐渡市下相川1305
1305 Shimoaikawa, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture 952-1501, Japan
Map locationAdmission
The basic self-guided Sado Gold Mine course costs ¥1,500 for junior high school students and older and ¥750 for elementary school children. Group and school rates are separate. Guided tours and MR experiences have separate prices and booking conditions.
Opening hours
From April to October, admission runs 08:00–16:00 and closing is 17:30. From November to March, admission runs 08:30–15:30 and closing is 17:00. It is listed as open year-round, but weather, inspections and repairs may change hours or suspend tunnel visits.
What to see at Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
Compare mining in two eras inside the tunnels
See how gold was extracted in exhibits recreating Edo-period mining. Explore modern equipment too to compare how tunnel work changed over time.
Niigata tourism body mine course prices and last entry from April 2025 Sado tourism body seasonal mine hours and visits from April 2026
How to get to Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
Take a Ryotsu-bound Sado Kisen ferry from Niigata Port and get off at Ryotsu. Car ferries take about two hours and 30 minutes; jetfoils about 67 minutes. Take a mine-bound Main Line bus from Ryotsu Port and get off at Sado Kinzan-mae. Walk to the mine entrance beside the stop. Existing bus guidance uses the weekday timetable for April 1–November 30, 2026; check separate timetables for Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and dates outside that period. Choose your return to accommodation or port. Ask the facility about access before visiting if you need a route without stairs.
Mine access Sado Kisen Sado weekday Main Line timetable Official mine map, May 2026
Visiting tips
Prepare for cold tunnels and stairs
Tunnels are about 10°C, so bring an extra layer even in warm weather. There are stairs; ask the facility about visiting options if mobility is difficult. Allow 60–90 minutes for the ordinary course, plus separate ferry and bus travel.
Niigata tourism body mine course prices and last entry from April 2025 Sado tourism body seasonal mine hours and visits from April 2026 Mine access
Check last admission before closing time
When choosing the ferry and mine-bound bus, check whether you can arrive by the mine’s last admission. Choose the return bus to your accommodation or port and Niigata-bound ferry.
Mine prices and hours Niigata tourism body mine course prices and last entry from April 2025 Sado Kisen
Questions about Historic Site Sado Gold Mine
Can I visit Sado Gold Mine without booking?
The ordinary Sado Gold Mine course requires no reservation; allow about 60–90 minutes. Guided tours and other courses have different booking conditions, so check the course you want.
Mine prices and hours Niigata tourism body mine course prices and last entry from April 2025 Sado tourism body seasonal mine hours and visits from April 2026
Can I visit Sado Gold Mine as a day trip from Niigata?
First check whether your date’s return ferries and island buses fit mine admission and visiting hours. Beyond the tunnels, you need a ferry between Niigata and Ryotsu and a bus from Ryotsu to the mine. Staying on the island after the mine lets you take the Niigata ferry the next day.
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Mine prices and hours ·
- Niigata tourism body mine course prices and last entry from April 2025 ·
- Sado tourism body seasonal mine hours and visits from April 2026 ·
- Mine access ·
- Sado Kisen ·
- Sado weekday Main Line timetable ·
- Official mine map, May 2026 ·
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