Sakaiminato (境港市 Sakaiminato-shi) on the western border of Tottori Prefecture is an active fishing port and host to a Japanese Self Defense Forces base. The locally-caught crab is especially good, but the big attraction is as the home of Mizuki Shigeru, creator of the popular manga Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro.

Understand[edit]

Tourist Information Site[edit]

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site which contains a partly English map.

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

• 35.493333133.2391671 Miho-Yonago Airport (米子鬼太郎空港 YGJ ^IATA), 1634 Sainokamicho (Straddles the border of Yonago and Sakaiminato, about 15 km from central Yonago), ☏ +81 859-45-6121. In spite of its name, Yonago Airport is actually located here in Sakaiminato, not Yonago. ANA operates flights to/from Tokyo and ASIANA operates flights from Seoul three days a week.  

By train[edit]

Sakaiminato can easily be reached by train. All train stations in the city are located along the JR Sakai Line, which connects to Yonago.

By boat[edit]

• 35.547289133.2506141 DBS Ferry Terminal, ☏ +81 859-30-2332, [email protected]. Overnight ferries depart twice a week from Sakaiminato to Donghae, Korea and then on to Vladivostok, Russia a day later. ¥15,000 to Donghae. (updated Jun 2020)

Get around[edit]

No matter where you go in Sakaiminato you will always be within walking distance of a train station. In spite of the city's small size, there are six stations within city limits; Yonagokuko (Yonago Airport), Nakahama, Takamatsucho, Amariko, Agarimichi, and Sakaiminato Stations.

Taxis are available at Sakaiminato Station.

See[edit]

Walk down Mizuki Shigeru street and marvel at the many paintings and sculptures of the bizarre universe of monsters that are part of Kitaro's world.

Do[edit]

• 35.545174133.2245281 Chiyomusubi Brewing (千代むすび酒造 岡空本店), Taisho-chō 131, ☏ +81 859-42-3191. Tours M-F at 11:00 and 14:00; Sa Su holidays 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00. Daily tours of this excellent sake producer. The kura or sake brewery features a nice gift shop, a small restaurant for tasting, and of course fine sake. The company also produces an unusual sparkling sake. 

Buy[edit]

Kitaro-related souvenirs of all types are available everywhere. Anything related to the Medama Oyaji or Eyeball Daddy character seems especially popular.

Eat[edit]

Local crab is excellent in season, but any fresh seafood here will be a good choice.

• 35.547427133.2327151 Iroha Sushi (いろは寿司), Aioicho 17 (near the waterfront), ☏ +81 859-42-3045. F-W 11:00-19:00. Excellent and a good value for lunch. Get there early as the master only uses the freshest fish and when he runs out lunch service is finished. 

Drink[edit]

Sleep[edit]

• 35.546151133.224491 Port Inn Sakaiminato (ポートインさかいみなと), Taisho-cho 222, ☏ +81 859-44-1833. A curious hotel. This is run by a fishing cooperative for fishermen in port, but also rents rooms to travelers. Double room ¥10,000 including breakfast and parking. 

Connect[edit]

Go next[edit]

• Yonago
• Hokuei
• Hiezu
• Daisen
• Nanbu
• Hoki
• Nichinan
• Yasugi
• Matsue