Sado Sawata and Kamoko Onsen: Day-Use Hot Spring Prices

The hot springs of Sado Island are not gathered into a single spa town but scattered across the east and west of the island. On the shores of Lake Kamo, which opens out just behind Ryotsu Port, are "Kamoko Onsen" and "Shiizaki Onsen"; on the Sumiyoshi coast facing Ryotsu Bay is "Sumiyoshi Onsen." Cross to the western side of the island, and "Sawata Onsen" wells up at Kubota in Sawata, facing Mano Bay. The spring quality and water temperature differ from inn to inn, and the reception hours for day bathing differ as well. These island healing waters are framed by sea and lake: you can relax while watching the sun set over Mano Bay or gazing across the calm lakeside of Kamo. Fresh seafood and the island's cuisine are a great pleasure as well.

Highlights

Seaside inns look out on the sun sinking into the Sea of Japan, while lakeside inns open onto the gentle scenery of Lake Kamo. It also pairs easily with island sights such as the Sado gold mine and the tub boats. The water welling up by Lake Kamo has a soft feel, enjoyed together with views of the lake and mountains.

Beside Lake Kamo, on the Heights of Shiizaki

About five minutes by car from Ryotsu Port, the heights overlooking Lake Kamo form the Shiizaki hot spring district, where "Kiraku — Inn of the Crested Ibis Legend and Open-Air Baths," "Hotel New Katsura," and "Aokiya — Inn of the Sunset and the Lake" stand side by side, all of them accepting day bathers. The spring quality is a sodium chloride spring, with Kiraku's water at 46.7°C, Aokiya's at 47°C, and Hotel New Katsura's at 57°C. Every room at Aokiya has a lake view, and its signature sight is the sun setting behind the Osado mountain range while it colors Lake Kamo.

Down at the lakeshore stands Kohan no Yado Yoshidaya, the long-established inn that is the original source of "Sado Kamoko Onsen." Founded as a restaurant during the Ansei era (1854–60), this inn's water is a sodium bicarbonate spring at 37.6°C — a different lineage from the Shiizaki waters. It has a free-flowing open-air bath with a view, but there is no day-bathing arrangement, so it is for overnight guests.

At "Sumiyoshi Onsen" on the Sumiyoshi coast facing Ryotsu Bay, Jugetsukan — the source inn for both Sumiyoshi Onsen and Shiizaki Onsen — opens its free-flowing spring water to day visitors as well. It is a sodium chloride spring at 47°C. Because reception is limited to daytime hours, it suits a visit in the morning after you land on the island, or a stop between sightseeing.

The Black Water of Sawata Onsen, on the Island's West Side

About 35 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port, across the island at Kubota on the Mano Bay side, is Sawata Onsen Ryokan Irumi. It is an inn run by a fishing family that operates set nets, and its specialty is "okoze (stonefish) cuisine." The water is a sodium bicarbonate spring with a source temperature of 17.9°C, and its distinguishing feature is the blackish tint characteristic of a moor spring containing plant-derived components. It feels completely different from the chloride springs on the Lake Kamo side.

The "Ibis Healing Bath" and the Noh Stage at Shiizaki Suwa Shrine

At Shiizaki Onsen a legend survives that a crested ibis healed its wounds here, and Kiraku's open-air bath is named "Toki no Mai-yu," the Ibis Dancing Bath. Shiizaki Suwa Shrine, standing on the same heights, is an ancient shrine founded in 1376 as a branch deity of Suwa Taisha in Shinshu and said to be the guardian deity of the local land steward, the Kuchi-Honma family. Its tile-roofed, gabled Noh stage, built in 1902, is a Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Niigata Prefecture and is known as the stage where Noh is performed more often than anywhere else on the island. Takigi Noh (torchlight Noh) is performed on Saturdays in the first part of the month from May through October (excluding August), and you can also try Noh and shimai on this stage. It is within walking distance after your bath.

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring brings flowers and a calm sea, summer swimming and marine leisure, autumn the harvest and clear skies, and winter the wild, powerful scenery of the Sea of Japan.

Access and Basic Information

Cross by ferry from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port on Sado, then head to each spa by car or bus. Having a car makes getting around the island convenient. The car ferry takes about two and a half hours, while the fast jetfoil reaches Ryotsu Port in around an hour. Kamoko Onsen sits on the shore of Lake Kamo, which spreads out behind Ryotsu Port, with good access from the harbor.

Practical Information

• Spring quality: Shiizaki Onsen (Kiraku, Hotel New Katsura, Aokiya) and Sumiyoshi Onsen (Jugetsukan) are sodium chloride springs. Kamoko Onsen (Yoshidaya) and Sawata Onsen (Irumi) are sodium bicarbonate springs
• Source temperatures: Kiraku 46.7°C, Aokiya 47°C, Hotel New Katsura 57.0°C, Jugetsukan 47.0°C, Yoshidaya 37.6°C, Irumi 17.9°C
• Indications: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive disorders, sensitivity to cold, chronic skin conditions, chronic women's ailments, convalescence, recovery from fatigue, and more
• How the water is used: Jugetsukan is free-flowing from the source. Yoshidaya has a free-flowing open-air bath with a view (for overnight guests)
• Day bathing (Kiraku): 13:30–23:00, irregular closing days, adults 500 yen, children 300 yen. This covers the open-air bath "Toki no Mai-yu"; the large bath with a view and the private open-air baths are for overnight guests only
• Day bathing (Hotel New Katsura): 16:00–21:00, irregular closing days, adults 500 yen, children 300 yen
• Day bathing (Aokiya): 15:30–21:00, adults 500 yen, children 250 yen
• Day bathing (Jugetsukan): 11:00–16:00, adults 500 yen, children 300 yen
• Inns with no day-bathing arrangement: Yoshidaya, Minami Ryokan, and Irumi are for overnight stays
• Open-air baths: Available at Kiraku, Hotel New Katsura (two open-air baths and a private one), and Yoshidaya. Aokiya and Jugetsukan have indoor baths
• Amenities: Kiraku provides toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and towels. All of these are supplies for overnight guests, so day visitors should bring their own towel to be safe
• Underfoot and accessibility: Hotel New Katsura and Aokiya have barrier-free provisions. Aokiya, however, notes that "the corridors from the entrance to the guest rooms and dining area are wheelchair-accessible, the guest rooms are Japanese-style and have steps, and there are stairs to the large bath." Kiraku, Yoshidaya, Minami Ryokan, and Irumi have no barrier-free provisions
• Payment: All of the above inns accept cards (VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, AMEX, JCB, and others)
• Parking: For passenger cars, Kiraku has 40 spaces, Hotel New Katsura 50, Yoshidaya 60, Minami Ryokan 30, Aokiya 20, and Irumi 30
• Access (Shiizaki Onsen): About 5 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port. Get off the Minami Line local bus at "Shiizaki Onsen Iriguchi"; Kiraku is a 3-minute walk and Hotel New Katsura and Aokiya are a 5-minute walk
• Access (Sumiyoshi Onsen): On the shore, right by the "Sumiyoshi Onsen-mae" bus stop
• Access (Kamoko Onsen / Yoshidaya): About 5 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port, or a 3-minute walk from the "Ebisu Honcho" bus stop
• Access (Sawata Onsen / Irumi): About 35 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port. A 3-minute walk from the "Kubota" bus stop on the Main Line, the Nanaura Kaigan Line, and the Kaifu Line. A new "Irumi-mae" bus stop has also been established in front of the inn
• Pick-up service: Kiraku from 14:30, Yoshidaya from Ryotsu between 14:00 and 19:00. Irumi requires 10 or more people and advance reservation
• Time to allow: About an hour for bathing alone. Because reception at the three Shiizaki inns is concentrated from afternoon into the evening, head to Jugetsukan at Sumiyoshi Onsen if you are going in the morning
• Getting to the island: To Ryotsu Port from Niigata Port, about two and a half hours by car ferry or about an hour by jetfoil. If you are taking a car, a reservation is the sure choice
• Winter cautions: As an island in the Sea of Japan, rough winter seas can cause sailings to be canceled. Checking the sailing information is the starting point of any itinerary
• Addresses: Kiraku — 658 Haraguro, Sado City / Hotel New Katsura — 696-1 Haraguro / Aokiya — 685 Haraguro / Yoshidaya — 261-1 Ryotsu-Ebisu, Sado City / Irumi — 782 Kubota, Sado City

Practical Travel Notes

Some inns accept day-trip bathing, but availability and hours differ by inn, so inquiring in advance is safest. Ferry times and fares vary by service, and reservations are advisable when taking a car, so secure your round-trip departures early. The island has local buses, but services are limited, so a rental car makes it easier to combine the hot springs with sights like the Sado gold mine and tub boats. As an island facing the Sea of Japan, winter seas can turn rough and cause cancellations, so checking the weather and sailing status is key to the trip.

A Quick Tip

Planning around the ferry schedule is key. It is best to arrange your itinerary so you can soak in a seaside bath around sunset. A day trip is possible, but to savor the island's charm, staying overnight for a relaxed pace is also a fine choice.

📚 Sources

The spring quality, water temperature, indications, day-bathing hours and fees, parking, nearest bus stops, barrier-free provisions, payment methods, and amenities for each inn were confirmed on the facility pages of "Sado Kanko Navi," the official tourism site operated by the Sado Tourism Exchange Organization (Kiraku — Inn of the Crested Ibis Legend and Open-Air Baths, Hotel New Katsura, Aokiya — Inn of the Sunset and the Lake, Jugetsukan, Kohan no Yado Yoshidaya, Minami Ryokan, and Sawata Onsen Ryokan Irumi). The founding year of Shiizaki Suwa Shrine, the construction year and cultural property designation of its Noh stage, and the season for Takigi Noh also come from the introduction pages on the same site. Details are subject to change, so please check official sources before visiting.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Spring quality: Shiizaki Onsen (Kiraku, Hotel New Katsura and Aokiya) and Sumiyoshi Onsen (Jugetsukan) are sodium chloride springs. Kamoko Onsen (Yoshidaya) and Sawata Onsen (Irimi) are sodium bicarbonate springs
• Source temperatures: Kiraku 46.7 degrees, Aokiya 47 degrees, Hotel New Katsura 57.0 degrees, Jugetsukan 47.0 degrees, Yoshidaya 37.6 degrees, Irimi 17.9 degrees
• Indications: Neuralgia, muscle pain, joint pain, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive complaints, sensitivity to cold, chronic skin conditions, chronic women's health conditions, convalescence, recovery from fatigue and more
• How the water is used: Jugetsukan has free-flowing water straight from the source. Yoshidaya has a free-flowing open-air bath with a view (for overnight guests)
• Day-use bathing (Kiraku): 13:30-23:00, irregular closing days, 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. This applies to the open-air bath "Toki no Mai no Yu"; the large bath with a view and the private open-air bath are for overnight guests only
• Day-use bathing (Hotel New Katsura): 16:00-21:00, irregular closing days, 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children
• Day-use bathing (Aokiya): 15:30-21:00, 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children
• Day-use bathing (Jugetsukan): 11:00-16:00, 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children
• Inns with no day-use bathing: Yoshidaya, Minami Ryokan and Irimi are for overnight guests
• Open-air baths: Available at Kiraku, Hotel New Katsura (two open-air baths plus a private open-air bath) and Yoshidaya. Aokiya and Jugetsukan have indoor baths
• Amenities: Kiraku provides toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, body soap and towels. As these are all supplies for overnight guests, day visitors should be sure to bring their own towel
• Footing and barrier-free access: Hotel New Katsura and Aokiya have barrier-free provision. However, Aokiya notes that "the corridors from the entrance to the guest rooms and the dining hall can be traveled by wheelchair, but the guest rooms are Japanese-style with steps, and there are stairs to the large bath." Kiraku, Yoshidaya, Minami Ryokan and Irimi have no barrier-free provision
• Payment: All of the above inns accept cards (VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, AMEX, JCB and others)
• Parking: For passenger cars, Kiraku has 40 spaces, Hotel New Katsura 50, Yoshidaya 60, Minami Ryokan 30, Aokiya 20 and Irimi 30
• Access (Shiizaki Onsen): About 5 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port. Take the Minami Line local bus and get off at "Shiizaki Onsen Iriguchi"; Kiraku is a 3-minute walk and Hotel New Katsura and Aokiya are a 5-minute walk
• Access (Sumiyoshi Onsen): Right by the sea, immediately after getting off at the "Sumiyoshi Onsen-mae" bus stop
• Access (Kamoko Onsen, Yoshidaya): About 5 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port, or a 3-minute walk from the "Ebisu Honcho" bus stop
• Access (Sawata Onsen, Irimi): About 35 minutes by car from Ryotsu Port. A 3-minute walk from the "Kubota" bus stop on the Main Line, the Nanaura Kaigan Line and the Kaifu Line. A new "Irimi-mae" bus stop has also been set up in front of the inn
• Shuttle service: Kiraku from 14:30, Yoshidaya from Ryotsu between 14:00 and 19:00. Irimi requires 10 or more people and advance reservation
• Time needed: About 1 hour for a bath alone. The three inns at Shiizaki concentrate their reception in the afternoon and evening, so in the morning head for Jugetsukan at Sumiyoshi Onsen
• Access to the island: About 2 hours 30 minutes by car ferry or about 1 hour by jetfoil from Niigata Port to Ryotsu Port. If you are taking a car, a reservation is the safe choice
• A note on winter: As this is an island in the Sea of Japan, the sea can be rough in winter and sailings may be cancelled. Checking the service information is a prerequisite for planning your itinerary
• Addresses: Kiraku = 658 Haraguro, Sado City / Hotel New Katsura = 696-1, same area / Aokiya = 685, same area / Yoshidaya = 261-1 Ryotsu Ebisu, Sado City / Irimi = 782 Kubota, Sado City

Information Sources

The spring quality, source temperature, indications, day-use bathing hours and fees, parking, nearest bus stops, barrier-free provision, payment methods and amenities of each inn were confirmed on the individual facility pages of "Sado Kanko Navi," the official tourism website operated by the Sado Tourism Association (Kiraku, the inn of the crested ibis legend and open-air baths; Hotel New Katsura; Aokiya, the inn of sunsets and the lake; Jugetsukan; Yoshidaya, the lakeside inn; Minami Ryokan; and Sawata Onsen Ryokan Irimi). The year Shiizaki Suwa Shrine was founded, the year the Noh stage was built and its cultural property designation, and the season of the torchlight Noh performances also come from the introductory pages on that site. As details are subject to change, please check the official information before you set out.