Sakaiminato

About Sakaiminato

This whimsical city west of Japan's Tottori prefecture is an absolute treat. Little surprises await at every corner from the moment you arrive at Sakaiminato Station. Anime and manga fans will immediately recognize the 100 bronze yokai (ghost) statues that line Mizuki Shigeru Road facing the station, named after the creator of classic manga GeGeGe no Kitaro who calls Sakaiminato his hometown. But that's just the beginning. Proud locals celebrate Mizuki Shigeru's life and achievements literally throughout the city. There's a museum dedicated to him, and his mischievous creations can be found everywhere – in public gardens, on signage and even park benches. Of course, as one of Japan's most established fishing towns the food here is also scarily good. Fresh crabs and tuna abound, so find a local restaurant that looks good and dig in! One of the city's other main attractions is the Yumeminato Tower in Yumeminato Park. The observation room over 40 meters up offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Sea of Japan and Mt. Daisen.