Sakaiminato & Mizuki Shigeru Road — Complete Day Trip Guide
178 Yokai Bronze Statues × Memorial Museum × Seafood | About 40 min from HALE MAKAWAO
Sakaiminato Basics
- City: Sakaiminato, western Tottori Prefecture
- Distance from HALE MAKAWAO: about 40 minutes by car (approx. 35km)
- Parking: Several lots near Mizuki Shigeru Road (free and paid options)
- Nearest station: JR Sakaiminato Station (end of the Sakaiminato Line — famous for the "Yokai Train" painted in GeGeGe no Kitaro characters)
- The road itself: approximately 800m long — easy to walk end-to-end
Suggested One-Day Plan
Key Attractions in Detail
The ~800m shopping street running from JR Sakaiminato Station to the main arcade is lined with 178 yokai bronze statues featuring characters from Mizuki Shigeru's GeGeGe no Kitaro series. Trying to find every single one is a favourite challenge for families with children. The road is illuminated at night, creating an atmospheric, otherworldly mood very different from the daytime experience.
Street Food & Souvenirs
Yokai-themed sweets, drinks, and merchandise fill the shops along the road. Look for Kitaro manju buns, Medama-Oyaji soda, and yokai crackers — all unique to this street. The large souvenir shop "Kitaro no Mise" stocks everything from stationery to T-shirts and figurines.
The museum traces Mizuki Shigeru's life and the world of his manga through original artwork, yokai models, and hand-drawn manuscripts. The "Yokai Cave" near the end of the tour is a big hit with children. A well-stocked gift shop awaits at the exit.
Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm).
Sakaiminato is Japan's No. 1 port for Beni-zuwai crab landings, accounting for roughly 50–60% of the national total. The harbor area is packed with restaurants serving fresh seafood bowls, crab dishes, and white squid sashimi. Crab season runs October through May, when the port is at its most lively — early arrival is advisable to avoid long waits.
Sakaiminato is also the departure point for ferries to the Oki Islands — a UNESCO Global Geopark — operated by Oki Kisen (Sakaiminato to Nishinoshima, Ama, and Oki-no-shima-cho). Crossing time ranges from about 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the destination island. Some HALE MAKAWAO guests combine an extended stay with a one-night trip to the Oki Islands. Check the Oki Kisen website for current schedules and fares.
Tips for Families with Children
- Mizuki Shigeru Road is fully accessible for strollers — flat and easy to navigate
- Turning the statue hunt into a game ("Can we find all 178?") keeps kids engaged throughout
- The museum's "Yokai Cave" can be a bit scary for very young children — check the content in advance
- Seafood restaurants near the harbor can get busy, especially for lunch; aim for weekdays or right when they open (around 11:00–11:30 am)
- Great souvenirs for kids: Kitaro character goods, Sakaiminato canned mackerel, dried squid
Recommended Local Products & Souvenirs
- Beni-zuwai crab: Peak season October–May. Boiled crab, crab soup, crab rice bowl — all outstanding
- Shiro-ika (Kensakiika squid): Sweet and tender, best enjoyed as sashimi or dried overnight
- Sakaiminato Saba (mackerel): A premium brand mackerel comparable to Seki-saba. Try it as shimesaba (cured) or salt-grilled
- Kitaro character goods: A huge range is available in shops along Mizuki Shigeru Road
Getting There
- From HALE MAKAWAO to Sakaiminato (Mizuki Shigeru Road): about 40 minutes by car (approx. 35km)
- Parking: Multiple paid lots near Mizuki Shigeru Road (approx. ¥500–600/day for standard vehicles)
- By train: JR Sakaiminato Line from Yonago Station, approx. 45 minutes (the yokai train is popular)
- Free shuttle buses operate on some days during tourist season from Yonago Station — check current schedules
Evening at the Harbor
After dark, Mizuki Shigeru Road is illuminated and the bronze statues take on an entirely different, eerie character. The fishing boats reflected in the harbor water make for beautiful night scenery. If you have time, take a short walk along the waterfront before heading back to HALE MAKAWAO.
More Area Guides
Combine Mt. Daisen hiking and Mizuki Shigeru Road in one trip — HALE MAKAWAO is the perfect base.
15 minutes to the trailhead, 40 minutes to Sakaiminato. One private villa, all yours.