Akane
It's my third time visiting Japan for business and I'd like to see some off the beaten track places. I have a few days off next week and am hoping to visit Sado island. What is the best way to get there? Any cheap options would also be appreciated.
Akane
The fastest way from Tokyo is to take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata Station (2 hours, 10,000 yen, covered by Japan Rail Pass if you have one).The cheaper option is to use the daytime/overnight highway buses which make the one way trip in about 5.5 hours (5,700 yen) Discount bus companies, such as Willer Express, have fares from around 3,000 yen.
https://japanbusonline.com/CourseSearch/11100040001
https://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/bus/route/kanto/niigata/
From Niigata, Sado Kisen operates car ferries (departures every 3 hours) and high speed jetfoils (departures every 1-2 hours depending on the season) to Ryotsu on Sado Island. The one way journey by car ferry takes 2.5 hours and costs 2,510 yen per person and around 17,900 yen for an average sized car. By jetfoil it takes one hour and costs 6,520 yen.
http://www.sadokisen.co.jp/language/en/
