Happy TravellerWelcome to Sakaiminato, a charming city located in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. This hidden gem is often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbors, but it boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine that make it a must-visit destination for any traveler.
Sakaiminato is located in far western Tottori Prefecture, at the northern end of the Yumigahama Peninsula. It is surrounded on three sides by Lake Nakaumi, the Sea of Japan, and the Sakai Channel that connects them. Across the Sakai Channel or across the Eshima Ohashi Bridge, it borders the city of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture. Sakaiminato is located on a sandbar, and the land is very flat with an average elevation of two meters above sea level.
One of the main attractions of Sakaiminato is its rich history. The area was part of ancient Hōki Province and number remains from the Yayoi period and Kofun period have been found within city limits. In the Muromachi period, the area was dominated by the powerful Amago clan from Izumo Province and occupied an important position as a landing point for rice and navy anchorage. During the Sengoku period, it came under the control of the Mōri clan, and during the Edo Period, it was part of the holdings of the Ikeda clan of Tottori Domain. Following the Meiji restoration, the port prospered as a strategic point for domestic shipping routes in the Sea of Japan, and was designated as a trading port in 1896 for continental trade with Busan, Incheon, and Wonsan on the Korean Peninsula. The town of Sakai was established on October 21, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to city status on April 1, 1956, changing its name to Sakaiminato at that time.
Sakaiminato is also known for its delicious local cuisine. The seaport of Sakaiminato has a long history as a seaport for the Sanin Region. Following World War II the city has served as the base of the fishing industry for all of Western Japan. Consequently, marine product processing is also a major industry in the city. Be sure to try some of the local seafood, such as crab, squid, and octopus, which are all caught fresh from the Sea of Japan.
In addition to its history and cuisine, Sakaiminato is also home to a number of local attractions. One of the most popular is Kitaro Road, a street dedicated to all the characters that appear in Shigeru Mizuki’s GeGeGe no Kitaro manga. One hundred bronze statues of the story’s characters line both sides of the road, making it a must-visit destination for any fan of the series. Other local attractions include the Tottori Domain Battery Sites, a National Historic Site that offers a glimpse into Japan’s military history, and the beautiful Lake Nakaumi, which is a popular spot for boating and fishing.
Sakaiminato has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Sakaiminato is 15.5 °C (59.9 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,903.3 mm (74.93 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.3 °C (81.1 °F), and lowest in January, at around 4.9 °C (40.8 °F). Its record high is 38.5 °C (101.3 °F), reached on 22 August 2018, and its record low is −9.7 °C (14.5 °F), reached on 27 January 1904.
Sakaiminato is easily accessible by rail, with the JR West Sakai Line running through the city. The city is also served by the Port of Sakaiminato, which offers ferry service to Donghae, South Korea, and Vladivostok, Russia.
Come and discover the hidden treasures of Sakaiminato, Japan. With its rich history, delicious cuisine, and beautiful landscapes, it’s a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
