Saturday 5 May 2012

Nigata and Sado Island

Here's another installment of Japanese adventures. We begin in the port city of Nigata on the Sea of Japan and feature a day trip to and from Sado Island, which lies about three hours off shore by ferry.


Parts of Nigata viewed from my hotel room window in early morning light:


 

The Hotel Nigata had interiors claimed to be 'inspired by a Scandinavian cruise ship.' For Japanese, the idea of a Scandinavian cruise ship probably seems incredibly tasteful and exclusive. If only they knew the awful truth! Anyway, it proved to be a very nice hotel indeed:





 

Early morning Shin Nihonkai arrival:

 

Sado Kisen arrival - Oosado Maru, one of the fine ferries serving Sado Island:


Inside Sado Kisen's terminal:


Sado Kisen bento box with 3-D paper ferry built into the lid:



Oosado Maru's grand atrium:


First Class dormitory:


Cafeteria:


How to wear a lifejacket:


Luxury cabin (the crossing is not much more than three hours' duration, but overnight mini-cruises sometimes are offered):


Another warning for doggy owners (impressive poo-size relative to dog):



Time to sample the shipboard cuisine:



Variegated seats on deck:



Passing the fleetmate, Okado Maru:



Map of Sado Island:


It is impressively mountainous:



Boeing Jetfoil departures and arrivals:




Approaching the berth at Ryotsu:


Inside the Ryotsu ferry terminal:


Oosado Maru leaving Ryotsu:


Downtown Ryotsu:


Wax models of food in a restaurant window:





Some nice vintage shop signs:



















Not precisely the Hilton:


Luncheon:

 





Some illuminated signs in Ryotsu ferry terminal:



Jetfoil departure lounge:



Another illuminated sign plus some details thereof:






 Okado Maru, our ship for the return trip to Nigata:

 

She too had a grand atrium:

 

The 'Event Plaza' onboard Okado Maru:


Onboard signs:



Luxury cabin:


Cafeteria:


Second Class dormitory:


Leaving Sado Island:

 

Arriving back at Nigata:


Nigata by night:



Dinner in a restaurant where all the hip young things were hanging out:





 More to follow shortly!

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