Sadogashima

What?
While Sadogashima (佐渡島) is one of the bigger islands of Japan, as it is not one of the main four nor part of the Okinawa islands, it is hardly known. It used to serve as a place of exile for political dissidents. On the other hand it was also famous for its gold mine (Sado Kinzan 佐渡金山) which used to be most productive of Japan. Otherwise the island has some impressive coastal scenery.
Where?
While the island can be reached via 3 ports, I used the Sado Kisen (佐渡汽船) ferry departing from Niigata (新潟). On the island itself one has to use buses, or you rent a bicycle. Electric bicycles are not expensive and make the sloping surface a lot easier to beat.
URL
Japan Guide Outline

I wanted to visit this place somewhere in 2013 for one reason: to fly in an ultra small airplane. Unfortunately the flight schedule was already cancelled by the time I actually decided to go. Thus I took an early morning ferry departing at the port of Niigata. The early time gave me an opportunity to witness a sunrise for the first time in a long period as I am truly not a morning person. Sleeping quite comfortably on the tatami floor of the ferry, I immediately skipped the island’s capital Ryotsu to take the bus to Aikawa. I got off nearby the tourist center to fix my partner in crime: an electric bicycle. The tourist information center is not clearly indicated, so ask the bus driver for the correct bus stop and the direction towards the office.

Once I rented the bicycle I first took off for the gold mine. Given the very remote location of the mine, it is not surprising that there were no tourists at all. While a pity for the community, personally I was really grateful to be able to enjoy this place in solitude: the dripping of water, the closeness of 4 walls, it all becomes so much more intense.
I took both available tours. The first one lead me outside with a bunch of interesting mining equipment. The second one took me through more tunnels with well-made robotic dolls. The exposition at the end of the tour was also very interesting and gave me the chance to chat away with one of the museum guards. Don’t miss out of you have the opportunity: aside from being very friendly they can also tell you some interesting tidbits.

Early departure at Niigata Harbor.

Mining equipment.

Getting out of the mine I just continued my way with the bicycle along the truly breathtaking coastline. If I could redo my trip I would book a place somewhere and cycle the whole coastline through. However due to limited time I just made to Senkakuwan and retraced my steps towards the ferry in Ryotsu.