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Sakata City Area
Sakata City flourished thanks to a thriving safflower trade during the Edo Period (1603-1868), and at the time it ranked alongside Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture as one of the two most important port towns in all of Japan. Remnants of the vibrant history and culture of this port town and the elite merchant class who built it can still be seen throughout Sakata City.
Traditional Sankyo Storehouse
Built in 1893 to store rice, the Sankyo Storehouse is still used as an agricultural storehouse to this day. These twelve storehouses standing side by side along a river lined by zelkova trees are a symbol of Sakata’s role as a major producer of rice. One of these traditional storehouses is now a resource center devoted to rice production in the Shonai Area and another has been converted into a tourist information facility called Sakata Yume no Kura, which operates services such as a gift and souvenir shop, a museum, and a restaurant where you can eat fresh, seasonal foods.
Sakata Yume no Kura
- Hours of Operation: 8:30-17:30 (Closed on New Year’s Day)
- Museum Entry Fee: 300 Yen
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For more information, contact Sakata Tourists and Products Association (Japanese)
Address: 998-0838 Yamagata-ken, Sakata-shi, Sankyo-machi 1-1-20
Phone: 0234-24-2233 Fax: 0234-24-8350
Sakata Yume no Kura (Japanese)
Shonai Rice History Resource Center
- Hours of Operation: 9:00—16:00 (Closed 12/31 to 1/4)
- Fee: 300 Yen
- Access: Take the city operated 100 Yen Shuttle Bus (Runrun Bus) from JR Sakata Station on the Sakata Station/University Line (Sakata Eki/Daigaku Sen) for approximately 10 minutes. Disembark at East Sankyo (Sankyo Higashi-cho).
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For more information, contact the Shonai Rice History Research Center (Japanese).
Address: 999-0838 Yamagata-ken, Sakata-shi, Sankyo-machi 1-1-8
Phone: 0234-23-7470 Fax: 0234-23-7473
Shonai Rice History Resource Center Home Page (Japanese)
Homma Museum of Art
This mansion owned by the once famously wealthy Homma family has been converted into an art museum. The beautiful garden and pond are a must see.
- Hours of Operation: 9:00—17:00 (Closed Mondays)
- Fee: 700 Yen
- Access: Approximately five minutes by foot from the JR Sakata Station.
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For more information, contact the Homma Museum of Art (Japanese)
Address: 998-0024 Yamagata-ken, Sakata-shi, Onari-machi 7-7
Phone: 0234-24-4311
Homma Museum of Art (Japanese)
Somaro
Somaya was the most famous eatery in Sakata since the Edo period (1603-1868), and it has been renovated to become Somaro. Thanks to trade with Tokyo and Kyoto, this area developed a unique dining culture, including a tradition of maiko dancing performed by young women during meals. At Somaro, can enjoy watching the maiko dance while you dine.
- Hours of Operation: 10:00—18:00 (Closed Wednesdays and during the New Year holiday season)
The Maiko Dance starts daily at 14:00 - Cost: Entrance Fee: 700 Yen Maiko Dance: 1000 Yen
- Access: Take the Sakata City operated 100 Yen Shuttle Bus (Runrun Bus) on the Sakata City Loop Left Line (Shinai Junkan Migi-mawari) or the Sakata City Loop Right Line (Shinai Junkan Hidari-mawari) for approximately 10 minutes until the Kotobuki-cho stop.
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For more information, contact Somaro (Japanese)
Adress: 998-0037 Yamagata-ken, Sakata-shi, Hiyoshi-cho, 1chome, Maiko-zaka
Phone: 0234-21-2310 Fax: 0234-21-2924
Somaro (Japanese)
