Location: Sakata
Top Things to do in Sakata
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What to do and see in Sakata, Japan: The Best Places and Tips
Sakata is a city located in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. As of October 2015, the city has an estimated population of 105,022, and a population density of 174 persons per km². The total area is 602.97 square kilometres.
Restaurants in Sakata
1. Sankyo Soko Storehouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By Akira M - Tokyo, Japan
Here was the old warehouse.
This warehouse has protect the town from big fire when almost 30 years ago.
Here is the pride of the Sakata citizens.
Inside of warehouse has been remodeled
now is a souvenir shop replace from warehouse
You are able to purchase to main of souvenir in Shonai plain at the here.
There is also an expensive souvenir such as a wooden dolls and wooden furnitures and special native products.
Almost visitors cannot purchase these valuable souvenir but these are so beauty for eyes.
Anyway, have a look if you will come here.
Free parking is available here.
However, mega tourist buses are occupied during on holiday and weekend.
Therefore, it is a little narrow.
2. Ken Domon Museum of Photography
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By James V - T
Domon Ken focused his camera on Buddhas, writers, flower displays, the Showa Period, country children, and isolated temples, mostly in black and white, and they make for a visual delight in this museum.
3. Honma Art Museum Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew1234 - Aomori, Japan
This property’s main draw is the traditionally-styled guest house and exquisite garden situated to look out onto Mt. Chokai. The garden is a beautiful example of shakkei (incorporation of background landscape into the garden). In the garden, dozens of carefully shaped white azaleas were beautiful in mid-May. It was a great time to visit! There were many wonderful stone lanterns as well. They were worth more than a passing glance.
The emperor and his family stayed at the guest house several times up through the end of WWII. The beautiful house features several ingenious interior lighting effects, which the docent will point out to you.
In sad contrast to the garden, the art museum next door looked like a modern school building. The collection of Oriental ceramics was nice but limited.
4. Somaro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Dating back over 200 years to the Edo Period, Somaro is a maiko teahouse and museum in the northern port city of Sakata. It is one of the very few places outside of Kyoto where geisha culture can be enjoyed. Originally called Soma-ya, Somaro's geisha culture was brought up to Northern Japan through the thriving trade ties that once existed between Kyoto and Sakata. During that time, Somaro served as an entertainment destination and exquisite restaurant for the many merchants and shipping agents who shuffled through this city. Beautifully restored in 2000, Somaro is a museum and maiko dance house that preserves and showcases the splendor of Sakata's geisha culture.
Reviewed By Daschmitz - Lithgow, Australia
hubby and I caught the Kira Kira Uetsu train from Niigata to Sakata for fun. It's a lovely windy scenic journey.
Anyways, Somaro.
Hubby suggested to me on a whim to visit 'this geisha place cos we didn't see geishas in Kyoto'. We caught a taxi from Sakata train station to the Geiko/Maiko house.
This is the first and only (so far) time I have been to one of these places. It is exquisite. I loved all the different entertaining rooms, how they were differently themed, yet each theme flowed into the next. I loved the merchant history of the area reflected in some of the artworks and the little art museum inside the main hall downstairs.
All throughout the place was the smell of Camphor. The creak of old wood under my feet. The stillness. It didn't matter which way I turned or looked, there was always a beautiful scene. A lot of the rooms faced little manicured-to-an-inch-of-its-life Gardens. Old, old Gardens of waterfeatures, moss and rock.
No photography was allowed in these rooms. Only in certain places and designated times. I have to say, is a pretty standard request in Japan.. you know, when in Rome.. :)
Unfortunately we missed the main part of a geisha performance. What I did see, I really liked. I've only seen them on the telly, to see them in real life before me was amazing. Their composure and dedication to their art wasn't lost on this little aussie ;)
We were fortunate enough to happen to come across two lovely sightseers (Mum and daughter) who wanted to speak in english. The daughter explained to us all a lot of meanings of things in the house and why things were so.
I wish I had more time there. I would love to experience a private function performance in one of the lovely rooms. Maybe next time..
5. Former Honma Family Residence
Overall Ratings
4 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By James V - T
For a small town like Sakata, the family that built this house had resources and taste. Half of the interconnected house was designed for the visiting government officials who were samurai class, and the other half was for the Honma merchants, who took care to not outshine their social superiors. The house remains in good shape and it has a double-nature not seen in many other locations. The displays are quality, and even if they do not have English explanations, you can enjoy wandering from room to room. Don't miss the large shop across the road, for unique local souvenirs and a few interesting displays.
6. Hiyoriyama Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Akira M - Tokyo, Japan
I have been to here couple of times so far.
Here is one of the recognized Hanami place in the Tohoku area in Japan.
The Sakura flowers are blossom during a spring season.
The season is depending on climate each by year.
Usually, end of April is bingo.
Also NK agent has build at near the park.
You can getting to there Just 50 steps from entrance of park
I strong recommend you that you have to watch the this great monumental movie before visit.
Inside is cool.
A beautiful cinema view was suddenly revived at here.
My opinion was wao, here is actually real.
Anyway here is one of the unforgetable memorial place for my Tohoku journey in Japan for me.
7. Tamasudare Fall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Hidden J
Its about 5 stories tall and is against a rock face. Very beautiful and it is also located in a sort of gorge with a nice forest hike to get to it. Dont worry though, the hike is along a nice cement and wood path.
8. Kaikoji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By YoroNikki - Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
This temple is small but well-worth the time to find it and visit. There are two mummies here. At first I found it spooky but the more I learned the more I found them fascinating. DO your research on Japanese mummies before you go here to really enjoy it. There is an explanation in a few languages. Don:t miss the artifacts in the cabinets either. There is a letter in English and other discussion worthy artifacts.
Closed Tuesdays check the website for opening times.http://kaikouji-sakata.jimdo.com/
9. Sakata Seafood Market
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By Akira M - Tokyo, Japan
At the first, here is a one of the rich fishing field in coast of Japan.
This restaurant is situated adjacent to the fishing port.
So, this seafood restaurant style has beginning from fisherman’s dining.
The fisherman come up from market after finished there work for take a meal at the here.
The features of like this restaurant are providing with cheap, fast, and fresh.
That’s why, we are call to this is fisherman’s dining.
Some fish markets have like this restaurant in Asia.
You do not expect comfortable service and luxurious rooms.
In other hands they are able to provide most fun fresh seafood.
The features of like this restaurant are providing with cheap, fast, and fresh.
Now, fisherman’s dining has been changed target to tourist replace from fisherman.
Also prices were raised to tourist price from local price like an Otal city in Hokkaido.
However, this fisherman’s dining can provide local price for tourist.
I make sure that this price is half than other tourist cities.
Exactly, Sakata is hidden city for foreign tourist but you are able to feel real Japanese fisherman’s seafood.
Your budget is less than 1500yen(Not inc Beers or Sake)
Available to Launch time.
(You have to wait for 15-30min during a launch time)
10. Kyu Abumiya
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By James H - Honolulu, Hawaii
I really enjoyed visiting this home again because it was used as a set for "Oshin", one of my all time favorite Japanese movie.
This is a "must see" for all who watched "Oshin" in the 80's with worldwide showing that can still be watched on Utube today in many different languages.
This home belonged to Abumiya, a shipper. It also served as a hotel for merchants.
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