Staying on Japan's Most Mysterious Island | Sado

Head down into the Sado Gold Mine, which once powered Japan's economy. It's a bit creepy but impressive, with hundreds of life-like robots hammering away, showing you the grim reality of mining life. It's especially quiet during off-peak season, so you might have the robots all to yourself. Don't miss the Pacman-shaped mountain above, a visible excavation that really puts the scale of the operation into perspective.

After touring the mine, try your hand at panning for gold! It only took Ryotaro 25 minutes to find three pieces, so you might get lucky too. The trick is to make the gold sink to the bottom of your pan.

Head inland to Chokokuji Temple, one of Sado's oldest and most secluded temples, dating back over 1,200 years. It's a smaller, quieter replica of Kyoto's Kiyomizudera Temple, built by a monk in 808 for those who couldn't travel to Kyoto. You'll likely have the whole place to yourself, enjoying the peace without the constant sound of camera shutters.

Experience one of Sado Island's best restaurants, Seisuke Next Door. Chef Kuniaki Osaki, trained at a 3-Michelin star restaurant in France, takes immense pride in fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Even the bottled water is collected by the chef from Sado's natural springs. You'll enjoy exquisite dishes like cod with sparkling wine, bouncy fish with sake kasu sauce, and the rare Sado beef, which is less fatty than Kobe beef and melts in your mouth.

Head to Futatsugame Beach on the far northern tip of Sado Island. This unique beach stretches out into the sea, with crystal clear waters that have earned it two stars from Michelin's Green Guide and a spot as one of Japan's top bathing spots. It has an 'edge of the world' view, with cool, sharp rocks jutting out and the sea on either side. It's a truly bizarre and stunning natural feature.