How much does it cost to travel to Sado?
You should plan to spend around $62 (¥9,480) per day on your vacation in Sado. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $23 (¥3,557) on meals
- $14 (¥2,127) on local transportation
- $59 (¥9,072) on hotels
A one week trip to Sado for two people costs, on average, $866 (¥132,716). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Sado has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Sado expensive to visit?
Sado is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Japan, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its affordability. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Asia, Sado is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Hengyang or Hefei.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Sado Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Sado?
The average Sado trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Sado travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
¥9,072
($59)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
¥2,127
($14)
|
|
Food 2
|
¥3,557
($23)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
¥1,292
($8)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
¥5,072 -
15,215
($33 - 99)
|
Accommodation Budget in Sado
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Sado is $30 (¥4,536). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Sado is $59 (¥9,072). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Sado? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Sado
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Sado is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $14 (¥2,127) per person, per day, on local transportation in Sado.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$14
¥2,127
How much does it cost to go to Sado? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Sado will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Sado
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Sado can vary, the average cost of food in Sado is $23 (¥3,557) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Sado should cost around $9.28 (¥1,423) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sado is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$23
¥3,557
Entertainment Budget in Sado
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Sado typically cost an average of $8.43 (¥1,292) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$8.43
¥1,292
Alcohol Budget in Sado
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $66 (¥10,143) on alcoholic beverages in Sado per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$66
¥10,143
Sado On a Budget
Sado Island
Sado Island, Japan is located just off the coast of Niigata and is an old gold mining town that has since developed into a quiet summer holiday destination. The island is home to two mountain ranges, O-Sado in the north and Ko-sado in the south, with the popular Kuninaka plain in between the mountain ranges. With the remoteness of the island, it has become a popular destination for tourists to experience old Japan and get away from the busy mainland.
Weather on Sado Island tends to be best during summer when the temperature stays in the 70's (Fahrenheit) making it comfortable to be outside all day. Winters tend to be in the low 40's but quite windy and snowy, especially in the mountains. Due to these conditions, getting onto the island can be difficult during the winter due to ferries and public transport being shut down.
Sights
A popular, yet bleak, attraction is the Sado Gold Mine where you'll find animatronic figures showing the despair and misery associated with working in the mines. Lift your spirits after the gold mine by taking a scenic walk on the Sotokaifu Coast to see the rocks, cliffs, and gorges that overlook the sea.
Sado is also home to quite a few temples, including a version of the famous Kiyomizudera temple from Kyoto called Seisuji. The temple was built specifically for locals so that they could pray in Kiyomizudera without traveling to Kyoto to do so. When traveling from Mano to Ogi, look out for Nashinoki-jizo, a small spot in the woods that is home to hundreds of small statues that are said to cure the disease of children. At Shukunegi harbor, you'll find traditional wooden houses and stunning views of the sea.
Neighborhoods
Sado Island is comprised of three main regions: O-Sado, Kuninaka, and Kosado. O-Sado's main city is Aikawa, an old gold mining town. You'll find many tourist attractions here and it is often the main thoroughfare into the O-Sada mountain range. Kuninaka is the most populated area of the island and therefore has the majority of accommodations, restaurants, as well as plenty of temples and other attractions. Kosado is the southern mountain range and home to the city of Ogi, a popular coastal town with many museums and picturesque locations.
Activities
Sado hosts many festivals throughout the year, with the most popular being the annual Earth Celebration. The Earth Celebration is an art festival run by the taiko Japanese drumming group Kodo. There are live performances using large O-daiko drums by the Kodo group along with other acoustic concerts throughout the festival. Sado's festivals are famously known for their dances, including the traditional Okesa dance which is simple enough for even tourists to learn!
Hiking the O-sado mountain range is a popular activity and the range has plenty of hiking trails to follow. It is important to note that Mt. Kinpoku requires a permit to walk through as it is occupied by Japan's Self-Defense forces. If you're around during the summer months, you can take a dip in the ocean at Sawata beach or go diving in the Ogi or Senego areas.
Food and Dining
Sado is famous for their fresh seafood, especially the sushi, sashimi, and oysters. If you feel like splurging, try out the famous Sado Beef which comes directly from the fields of Osado. You can find a variety of restaurants on the island, ranging from burger joints to Japanese-Chinese infusions.
While bars and clubs are sparse on the island, sake breweries are definitely not. There are seven breweries in the area, three of which are located in the Mano area on the west coast. Mano is the self-proclaimed independent state of the Alcohol Republic and you can actually get a passport from the Sado tourist office to have stamped at the various breweries.
Transportation
In Japan, trains are one of the fastest and lowest cost means of transportation. Getting a
Japan Rail Pass can save you money if you plan to stay for several days or more. Regional and nation-wide passes are available, usually for the number of days of your choice.
The only way to get onto the island is by boat, with the most popular option being the Niigata-Ryotsu ferry since it departs every hour. There are buses that run primarily in the Kuninaka plains area and occasionally connect to points further out around the island. If you plan to do a lot of traveling around the area, you could rent a car. Just keep in mind that some of the coastal roads tend to be extremely windy and should be traveled with caution.
Related:
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hostel in Japan? In search of a
party in Tokyo? Traveling alone to
Osaka or
Tokyo?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.