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Your journey to Sado Island begins the moment you board the ferry. A 2.5-hour boat ride, feeling the sea breeze alongside your car, is a luxurious experience that lets you leave the everyday behind and enjoy a special time.
But what if you arrive in Sado on the last ferry of the day…?
You arrive at 10:00 pm, and no restaurants, tourist spots, or accommodations are open…!!!!
But don’t worry. Right next to Ryotsu Port is “Michinoeki Ai Port Sado,” a roadside station with a 24-hour parking lot.
In the morning, the fresh breeze from the sea is refreshing, and you can wake up while watching the ferries depart. You can also enjoy breakfast at a nearby café that opens early at 6:30 am. And by visiting the Sado Information Center, which is also located on-site, you might discover new travel information, helping you plan an even more fulfilling trip to Sado Island.
In this article, we’ll introduce the charm of “Michinoeki Ai Port Sado,” located at Sado Island’s gateway, along with practical information for overnight parking. Learn how to make your ferry trip to Sado even more free and enjoyable with this convenient roadside station.
“Michinoeki Ai Port Sado” is one of the roadside stations on Sado Island. It’s located next to the Ryotsu Ferry Terminal, making it a convenient stop for tourists and locals alike, offering rest facilities and tourist information. The name “Ai Port” is a blend of the words “love” (ai) and “port,” representing a warm welcome for all visitors to Sado Island.
Michinoeki Ai Port Sado allows overnight stays in your vehicle. The outdoor restrooms are available 24/7. Although the station is closed from December 29 to January 3, the parking lot and outdoor toilets remain accessible. Please note there are no trash bins, so make sure to take your trash with you.
There are 15 parking spaces for regular vehicles, which are open at all times (confirmed that overnight stays in cars are allowed).
For example, if you arrive at Sado Island on the last ferry with your car, you can spend the night at this roadside station and start your journey the next day.
The 24-hour accessible outdoor toilets are located next to the Sado Information Center. The facilities are well-maintained and clean.
There is also parking for motorcycles.
Please note that tent camping is prohibited.
Michinoeki Ai Port Sado also has a larger parking lot next to the Information Center. However, this lot closes at 5:30 pm, so after this time, no entry or exit is allowed (opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm).
Be sure to use the parking lot in front of the Sado Information Center for overnight stays.
Michinoeki Ai Port Sado faces Ryotsu Port, offering stunning ocean views. Especially in the morning, the scenery is breathtaking. The sea sparkles as the sun rises, and it’s a sight you won’t want to miss.
You can also see the ferries and high-speed boats docked at the Ryotsu Port Terminal.
This photo was taken around 5:30 am, right as the first ferry of the day set sail. The ferry morning routine starts early.
If you arrive in Sado on the last ferry, you’ll reach the Ryotsu Port Terminal at around 10:00 pm.
If you’re planning to stay overnight at Michinoeki Ai Port Sado, most of the nearby stores will be closed.
In such cases, convenience stores are a lifesaver.
The nearest convenience store to Michinoeki Ai Port Sado is ”Lawson Sado Harakuro Store.” It’s open 24/7, so you can grab a late-night snack if needed.
The store is about 3 to 4 minutes south by car from the roadside station.
〒952-0016 Niigata Prefecture, Sado City, Harakuro 328
The ferry terminal is just a short 5-minute walk from the roadside station. The walking path is straightforward—just head straight out of the station.
On the first floor of the Ryotsu Port Ferry Terminal, there’s a café called maSanicoffee that opens at 6:30 am. It’s the only place in the area that serves breakfast at such an early hour, so it’s a great spot to grab a bite after spending the night at the roadside station.
Read more about maSanicoffee
The Sado Information Center is located within Michinoeki Ai Port Sado and serves as a tourist information hub. Here, you can get detailed information on Sado Island’s attractions, recommended travel routes, seasonal events, and more.
Source: Ai Port Sado | Sado Tourism Navi
If you arrive during the day at Ryotsu Port Ferry Terminal, make sure to stop by the center to gather information on Sado Island. You might discover new sightseeing spots, local gourmet spots, or even event information. The staff are always happy to help with recommendations.
Michinoeki Ai Port Sado is equipped with 24-hour parking and restrooms, offering a sense of security for tourists arriving late at night.
In addition, you can enjoy ocean views and the sight of ferries setting off in the early morning, a unique feature of this port town. A 5-minute walk will take you to the Ryotsu Port Ferry Terminal, where you can enjoy breakfast at a café that opens at 6:30 am.
From 8:30 am, the Sado Information Center also opens, providing you with valuable tourist information to enhance your trip.
If you make good use of this roadside station, you can arrive on Sado Island’s last ferry with your car, stay overnight at Ai Port Sado, and start your Sado Island exploration first thing in the morning.
The first ferry to Sado Island departs from Niigata Port at 6:00 am, arriving at Ryotsu Port at 8:30 am. For those who want to start their sightseeing early or who aren’t early risers, staying overnight at Ai Port Sado is an excellent option.
However, please note that there are only 15 regular parking spaces available. Since reservations are not accepted, it’s a good idea to have an alternative plan in case the parking lot is full.
Also, remember that the roadside station is a public facility. Be sure to follow the rules and use it with care.
Whether you use it as a base for overnight stays, for gathering tourist information, or as the gateway to Sado Island, Michinoeki Ai Port Sado can help make your Sado trip even more efficient and enjoyable.
I hope my experiences will serve as a reference for your trip to Sado Island.
