Sakaiminato
Sakai Minato (境港) 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 Sakai Minato's big attraction is as the home of Mizuki Shigeru, creator of the popular manga Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro.
Get in
In spite of its name, Yonago Airport is actually located here in Sakai Minato, not Yonago. ANA operates flights to/from Tokyo and ASIANA operates flights from Seoul three days a week.
Sakai Minato can easily be reached by train. All train stations in the city are located along the JR Sakai Line which can be accessed from Yonago Station.
Since July 2009 a ferry connects the city to Vladivostok, Russia by the way of Korean city Donghae.
- DBS Cruise Ferry, ☏ +81 1600 5646 (Japan), +82 33 531 5611 (Korea), +7 4232 302 704 (Russia). US$110 from Donghae and US$265 from Vladivostok.
Get around
No matter where you go in Sakai Minato 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
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
- Chiyomusubi Brewing, Taisho-cho 131, ☏ +81 859-42-3191. Tours at 11 AM and 2 PM weekdays; 10 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, and 3 PM weekends and holidays.. 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.
Buy
Kitaro-related souvenirs of all types are available everywhere. Anything related to the Medama Oyaji or Eyeball Daddy character seems especially popular.
Eat
Local crab is excellent in season, but any fresh seafood here will be a good choice.
- Iroha Sushi (いろは寿司) (near the waterfront), ☏ +81 859-42-3045. 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
Sleep
- Port In Sakai Minato, Taisho-cho 222 (just near a police box), ☏ +81 859-44-1833. A curious hotel, but at 10,000 yen for a spacious double room including breakfast and parking is excellent value. This is run by a fishing cooperative for fishermen in port, but also rents rooms for visitors.
Connect
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