The Senkaku Bay on Sado Island was the holy place of the movie “Your Name”!? I went to Senkaku Bay because I’ve seen a wonderful view that is similar to the Scandinavian fjords on a travel magazines.

There is “Senkaku Bay” on the southernmost part of Sotokaifu Coast, located northwest of Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture. Senkaku Bay is a fjord and is general term for 5 small bays, and the total length is about 3 kilometers. In ancient times, when the highest peak of Sado Island, Mt Kinpoku-san, erupted, lava flowed into the coastal terrace, and it was eroded by the winter winds and the rough waves of the Sea of Japan over the years. It is a representative scenic spot on Sado Island, and it is also designated as a scenic spot of the country.

In 1932, when the Ministry of Education conducted a survey of the natural monuments, the researcher praised it as “The beauty of the coast that could be rival or surpassed the scenery of Hardanger bay of Norway in Northern Europe, which is a superb view of the world,” and was named “Senkaku Bay.” It was named so by translating its name Hardanger directly. From the observation deck of Senkaku Bay, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the landscape, and you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape consisting of rough cliffs and rock reefs. There is also a sightseeing boat.

The five small bays of Senkaku Bay are called “Yusen-Kyo Bay” (the first view), “Litsuun-Kyo Bay” (the second view), “Kongou-Kyo Bay” (the third view), “Zendana-Kyo Bay” (the fourth view), and “Ageshima-Kyo Bay” (the fifth view), respectively. The Senkaku Bay Ageshima Amusement Park is a tourist facility located in the fifth view, Ageshima-Kyo Bay.

The sightseeing boat takes visitors from the second to the fifth view. The bottom of the boat has a glass window so visitors can see what is happening under the sea.

The bridge that connects Ageshima that is located off the coast of Senkaku Bay is called “Machiko Bridge”. Senkaku Bay is a filming location where a movie titled “Your Name” was filmed by Kazuo Kikuta, a movie released in 1953. “Your name” was so popular at that time that women is said to be disappeared from a woman’s public bath when the program starts. The way of winding a stole of a main character, Machiko Ujiie, was called “Machiko Maki” and it became popular among women. There is no “Machiko Bridge” any more that was a suspension bridge at that time, but in the reference room in the second floor of the Mini Aquarium, a panel photo of filming is displayed.

In Senkaku Bay, there is the only small aquarium in Sado Island. Fish near Senkaku Bay are on display there, and there is an experience corner where you can experience direct contact with turban shell, sea urchins, “Doctor fish.” and so on. You can also see “swimming of squids” which is rare throughout the country.

In summer, the area around Senkaku Bay becomes a sunflower field. It is popular as a “sunflower field where you can see the sea,” but it is especially famous sunflower field located in Ogawa Village on the way from Sado Gold Mine to Senkaku Bay. It has very beautiful contrast of yellow sunflower and blue sea and blue sky.

Access to Senkaku Bay Ageshima Amusement Park

From Tokyo

It takes about 2 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Niigata Station by Joetsu Shinkansen. It takes about 15 minutes by local bus from JR Niigata Station to Niigata Port.

From Osaka

It takes about 1 hour from Itami Airport to Niigata Airport. It takes about 25 minutes by shuttle bus from Niigata Airport to Sado Kisen Niigata Port Terminal.

From Sado Kisen Niigata Port Terminal to Sado Kisen Ryotsu Port Terminal, it takes about 1 hour by jetfoil and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car ferry.

It takes about 1 hour by car from Ryotsu Port to Senkaku Bay Ageshima Amusement Park. Alternatively, from the Ryotsu Port Sado Kisen bus stop to Kirariumu Sado bus stop, it takes about 1 hour by route bus (main line). At Kirariumu Sado Bus Stop, transfer to the route bus (Kaifu Line) and it takes about 20 minutes to Senkaku-wan Ageshima-Yuen Bus Stop. 1 minute-walk from Senkaku-wan Ageshima-Yuen bus stop.