Sakaiminato Day Trip Guide Japan's "Yokai Town" | Manga Culture, Fresh Seafood & Ferry to Oki Islands | 40 min from HALE MAKAWAO
Updated: May 2026 | Category: Area Guide
👻 Sakaiminato is Japan's most famous "Yokai (supernatural creature) town," birthplace of legendary manga artist Shigeru Mizuki. Located just 40 minutes by car from HALE MAKAWAO, the city's Mizuki Shigeru Road features 177 bronze statues of characters from the iconic manga series GeGeGe no Kitaro. Beyond the bronze statues, Sakaiminato is one of Japan's premier fishing ports — famous for its Snow Crab, White Squid, and Saba (mackerel) — and serves as the ferry gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark Oki Islands.
📍 Quick Facts
Location: Sakaiminato city, western Tottori Prefecture
Distance from HALE MAKAWAO: ~40 minutes by car (~35km)
Parking: Multiple lots near Mizuki Shigeru Road (free and paid options)
Nearest station: JR Sakaiminato Station (end of the Sakaiminato Line — the "Kitaro Train" is a must-ride)
Drive to Sakaiminato via Route 9 and Route 431 — about 40 minutes. The "Parking Lot 3" near Mizuki Shigeru Road is spacious and convenient.
9:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Explore Mizuki Shigeru Road
Walk the entire 800m stretch from JR Sakaiminato Station. Spot all 177 bronze statues — Kitaro, Nezumi Otoko (Rat Man), Medama Oyaji, Sunakake Baba, and more. Browse souvenirs at the many shops along the way.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum
Admission: ¥700 adults / ¥350 children (as of 2026). Allow 1–1.5 hours. The "Yokai Cave" section is a crowd favorite for kids.
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Fresh Seafood Lunch at the Port
Head to the port area for a seafood bowl (kaisendon) loaded with Snow Crab, White Squid, or mackerel. Local favorites include "Nakau-ra" and "Karo-ichi" market.
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Stroll Around the Fishing Port
Explore the lively port area. The "Minato Sakai Koryu-kan" visitor center (free entry) offers great insights into Sakaiminato's fishing history.
3:30 PM onward
Return to HALE MAKAWAO
Optional detour: stop at Kaike Onsen hot spring resort (10–20 minutes from Sakaiminato) before heading back.
An 800-meter shopping street stretching from JR Sakaiminato Station to the main arcade, featuring 177 bronze yokai statues. Characters from the beloved manga GeGeGe no Kitaro appear at every turn — kids love the scavenger hunt of finding them all. At night, the road is illuminated, creating a hauntingly atmospheric experience quite different from daytime.
🦴 Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum
Must-visit with kids¥700 adults¥350 childrenAllow 1–1.5 hours
A permanent exhibition celebrating the life and artwork of Shigeru Mizuki. Highlights include intricate yokai models, original manuscript pages, and the beloved "Yokai Cave" that younger visitors find thrilling (fair warning: it can startle timid toddlers). The gift shop is extraordinarily well-stocked. Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM).
🦐 Sakaiminato Seafood
Japan's Top Fishing PortSnow CrabWhite SquidSakaiminato Saba
Sakaiminato is one of Japan's premier fishing ports, and in some years ranks No. 1 in Japan for Snow Crab (Beni-Zuwaigani) landings. The port area is lined with restaurants serving ultra-fresh kaisendon (seafood rice bowls), crab cuisine, and White Squid sashimi. Crab season runs October through May — expect bigger crowds and higher prices. Year-round, the White Squid and mackerel are always excellent.
⛵︎ Ferry to the Oki Islands
Departs Sakaiminato~2.5 hours crossingOki Kisen Ferry Line
Sakaiminato is the main ferry gateway to the Oki Islands, a remote UNESCO Global Geopark roughly 80km offshore in the Sea of Japan. Oki Kisen ferries connect Sakaiminato to Nishino-shima, Ama, and Okinoshima (journey time varies 2.5–3.5 hours by island). The Oki Islands are famous for dramatic sea cliffs, pristine nature, and unique cultural traditions. Some HALE MAKAWAO guests combine a multi-night stay with a one-night Oki Islands excursion. Check the Oki Kisen website for current schedules and fares.
👩👦👧 Family Travel Tips
Mizuki Shigeru Road is fully accessible — strollers and wheelchairs can navigate it comfortably
The bronze statue scavenger hunt ("find all 177!") keeps kids engaged for hours
The Yokai Cave in the museum can startle very young children — preview before entering
For lunch, arrive at restaurants by 11:00–11:30 AM on weekdays to avoid queues
Great souvenirs: Kitaro character goods, canned Sakaiminato mackerel, dried squid snacks
🚗 Getting There
From HALE MAKAWAO to Mizuki Shigeru Road: ~40 minutes by car (~35km)
Parking: Multiple paid lots near the road (approx. ¥500–600/day)
By train: JR Sakaiminato Line from Yonago Station, approx. 45 minutes (ride the famous Kitaro-themed train)
Free shuttle buses operate on some weekends during tourist season
🌒 Evening in Sakaiminato
As dusk falls, Mizuki Shigeru Road transforms — the bronze statues are dramatically lit, lending a genuinely eerie atmosphere in keeping with the yokai theme. The reflections of fishing boat lights on the harbor water at night make for beautiful photos. Consider timing your return drive to catch the sunset over the Sea of Japan.
Mt. Daisen and Sakaiminato — the perfect combination. Stay at HALE MAKAWAO and explore the best of western Tottori.