Which ferry to Sado Shima?

Hi everybody,

I am planning a more than 3 weeks long trip to Japan in spring and want to stay 2 nights on Sado shima.

Is it correct that there are only 2 connections a day between Naoetsu and Sado and at certain times of the year this connection seems to be out of service entirely.

https://www.sadokisen.co.jp/en/timetables/timetable-route2-f/page/4/

It seems to me that Niigate is the way better port to get to Sado. On the other hand Naoetsu is way easier to reach from Nagano - the region where I will stay before Sado shima.

Does anybody know if non electric bikes can be rented on Sado Shima? I only found electric ones and 4500 Yen for a electric bike is pretty expensive considering that a 1 day bus ticket is only 1500 Yen. I would definitely prefer a non electric bike.
My plan is to rent a bike on both days. One day I want explore the northern part and the other day the southern part.

Thank you ;)

Yeas, you found the correct time table. On the Japanese version there is the same info.
It seems they cancelled the jetfoil from Naoetsu, which I know existed a few years ago as I took it getting back from Sadogashima.

Obviously if you time it right, the fact that there are only 2 per day isn’t an issue.

Regarding rental bike google gives me this answer (plus the other one that seems to have only e bikes):

https://gotosado.com/pdf/rentacycle_menu_220511.pdf

Depending on where you want to go I would advise to rent a “proper bike” not a mamachari. Mamacharis are okay for getting around in a city, but anything over 20 km is a PITA.

Here as inspriartion some rides I did on Sadogashima:

http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/search?q=Sado&m=1

While there is a little back-tracking, Nagano to Niigata is actually quite quick and easy - I have done it many times. For my visits to Sado, I usually use the jetfoil, but for my last visit in November got the slower ferry back to Niigata and it was pretty good and not especially long - just a much better timing for onward travel.
Can't advise on the bike situation - usually use the bus. Not all the connections are helpful, but it is pretty useful for the places I usually head to.
Did you consider a car. Wouldn't cost much more than that electric bike.

As a footnote to my post yesterday, I recalled the ryokan I used in November had bikes available for rent (I didn't use one). You could inquire with your accommodation, or pick somewhere that has rental bikes.
I also saw that a 24-hour bike hire can be as low as 2000 yen according to the Visit Sado site. and yes, I did see the 4500 yen/24hr option.
https://www.visitsado.com/en/sado/cycling/rental/

Thanks for the information.
I extended my stay on Sado to 3/4 nights depending on when I'll leave, evening or next morning ;)