Firelit Sado Island Tub Boat Cruise

Experience a ride on a traditional tub boat by firelight

Located in the Sea of Japan, Sado Island has a rich history as a transportation hub and a site for gold mining. One of the island’s most treasured local traditions is the hangiri tub boat, a round fishing vessel made of cedar designed to navigate the shallow coastal waters in search of seafood delicacies. It’s here that you can experience riding one of these boats across the fire-illuminated scenic waters of Shukunegi Village at twilight.

Drift past the torch-lit rocky shoreline as the sun sets and stars begin to appear in the night sky. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see the sparkling lights of bioluminescent plankton called noctiluca. The locals call them sea fireflies. The rocking of the boats, the stars up above, and the crackle of the firelit torches all make for a remarkable night cruise.

Access:
From Tokyo, take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen to Joetsu Myoko Station (around two hours), then transfer to a local train and ride to Naoetsu Station (about 15 minutes). From Naoetsu, Sado Kisen operates two ferries per day to Ogi from late April to November. There are no ferries running on the Naoetsu – Ogi route during winter. The one-way journey takes two hours and 40 minutes. From Ogi, rent a car or take the Ogi Line bus (10 minutes) to Shukunegi Village.

From Tokyo, take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station (around two hours). From Niigata Station, take a local bus to Sado Kisen Ferry Niigata Port (about 15 minutes). Sado Kisen operates car ferries (two hours 30 minutes) and high-speed jetfoils (1 hour) every one to two hours depending on the season. After arriving in Ryotsu Port, rent a car or charter a taxi to drive one hour to Shukunegi Village; alternatively, take the local bus via the Minami Line, change at Mano-Shinmachi, and get on the Ogi Line and ride to Shukunegi Village (about two hours by bus one way).