Sado Magistrate's Office
佐渡奉行所跡
The government office that administered the Sado Gold Mine and the whole island under the Edo shogunate. It has reconstructed office buildings and the “Katsuba” facilities where gold and silver were extracted.
The Sado Magistrate’s Office was the administrative center of Sado, which was directly governed by the shogunate during the Edo period. It was also responsible for refining gold and silver and minting koban coins. In 2000, based on old maps, the official buildings and the “Katsuba” (ore-dressing and refining yards) were reconstructed. Visitors can see re-enactments of craftsmen separating gold dust with water and stone mortars, as well as the study where officials worked and the Shirasu courtyard where trials were held. It is designated a National Historic Site. Admission is about ¥500. Located in the center of Aikawa town, it can be combined on foot with Kyomachi Street and the Kitazawa Flotation Plant.
Opening hours
About 08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Kitazawa Flotation Plant Ruins
- Aikawa Kyomachi Street
- Sado Gold Mine
- Doyu no Wareto
- Nanaura Coast & Meoto-iwa
- Senkaku Bay
- Sado History and Legend Museum
- Daizen Shrine Noh Stage