Shukunegi Village

On the southern coast of Sado Island lies the small historic village of Shukunegi Village. It is a place where narrow alleys, wooden houses, and the scent of the sea still preserve the atmosphere of old Japan. Sado Island is on the Sea of Japan. It is about 45 kilometers from the coast of Niigata Prefecture, and you can easily reach it by ferry.

Shukunegi flourished from the late Edo period into the Meiji era as a port connected to the Kitamaebune trade route. Merchant ships traveled along the Sea of Japan carrying rice, seafood, sake and other goods between Osaka and Hokkaido. Because Sado’s gold and silver mines were highly active during this time, the island became an important stopping point for trade, and Shukunegi grew wealthy through shipping and shipbuilding.

The Famous Triangle House

Photo by: PIXTA/ SHIMA

The streets of Shukunegi are a maze of narrow cobblestone streets winding through rows of traditional wooden houses. It seems untouched by modern life. More than 100 houses remain in the settlement, and many people still live in them.

The most famous of these is Sankakuya, also known as the Triangle House. Local shipbuilders designed it, using their boat-building skills for the architecture. Its unusual triangular structure has become a symbol of Shukunegi and attracts many visitors every year. Inside, the steep staircase and small rooms show how every inch of space has been carefully used.

The village is recognized as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. This helps to protect not only the houses but also the day-to-day life that continues here.

Sado Island’s Maritime History

Photo by: PIXTA/ Ishi (@ishi_ae86)

The Sado Ogi Folk Museum, located just outside the village, preserves the history of southern Sado. The former wooden elementary school, built in the 1920s, currently houses the museum.

Inside are thousands of folk tools, fishing equipment and shipbuilding materials that tell the story of the people who once worked on this coast. Its main attraction is a full-scale replica of the Hakusan Maru. It is a large wooden cargo ship built based on historical documents from Shukunegi. Visitors can board the ship, explore its interior and get an idea of what seafaring was like in the Edo period.

Tub Boats

Photo by: PIXTA/ UI_forever

A short distance from the village, the coast around the Yajima Experience Exchange Center offers another side of Sado’s charm. Here, visitors can ride traditional tub boats in the calm waters between Yajima and Kyojima islands. Fishermen originally used these round wooden boats for fishing along rocky coastlines where larger boats could not easily pass. The bright red bridge connecting the small islands creates a beautiful contrast against the sea, making the area especially photogenic.