West Sado

West of Sado, the Sea of Japan beats against a rugged coast of cliffs, inlets and small islands. Around Aikawa, waves have cut the volcanic rocks into steep terraces and column-like formations. Inland from this shore, the Aikawa gold and silver mines were developed on a large scale after Sado came under Tokugawa control in 1601. The coast stood between the mining district and the open sea.