Souvenirs from Sado Island

Sekisui Ceramic

Produced using mumyoi (the name of the red soil derived from gold mine shafts), the pottery, known as mumyoi-yaki, is a craft that is not only unique to Sado but also produced by the legendary Sekisui Ito, whose family played a major role in preserving its art since the late 19th century. At Ito Sekisui Memorial Museum, you can take home a piece of history with you, be it an elaborately crafted vase, chopstick holder, or a teacup set.

Kaifu Hakko Amazake Cream

An awesome souvenir for your non-drinking foodie friends would be the tasty amazake (non-alcoholic) cream from local brewery Kaifu Hakko. The cream – which is produced through low temperature processing – has a texture and taste similar to those of yoghurt, and makes for a great-tasting dessert.

Sado Natural Tsubaki Base Oil

Available at Japanese inn Hana no Ki and founder by the ever-graceful owner Akiko Watanabe, this oil, extracted from camellia seeds, is renowned for its skin-loving benefits – it soothes skin problems such as eczema, and moisturises the skin without leaving behind a greasy film. A must-have for every beauty junkie, for sure!

Sado Salt

You can’t leave the island without buying a packet of Sado salt. Why, you ask? Well, thanks to the surrounding Sea of Japan, the salt from Sado boasts a unique sweetness and flavour that is produced through a traditional method involving a wood-burning stove. At salt maker Sado Kaza-shiogama, they also produce mojio (seaweed salt). Made using a type of seaweed called arama, it is exclusive to Sado and contains the mineral yodo, which gives the salt a brownish colour as well as an enhanced taste and flavour.

Sakiori pouch

Sakiori (traditional Sado woven art) is traditionally made using recycled materials, and can be made into a variety of woven products, from pouches and bags to tablecloths and even kimono sash. They can be found at most retail shops around the island, and make for great souvenirs for those after a sturdy keepsake.