Location and Access

酒
田 to
Welcome
S AKATA
Location and Access
Sakata City is a hub of Yamagata Prefecture located in Northern
Honshu, only an hour's flight from Tokyo. Renowned for its
exciting and refreshing blend of activities and attractions, Sakata
is the gateway to a wonderland of natural beauty, spirituality and
Japanese experience. Nearby is “Dewa Sanzan”, a spiritual area of
three sacred mountains. The shrines and temples of the region are
popular for both pilgrims and sightseers and is a popular Japanese
“power spot” for relaxation and reinvigoration.
Also closeby is the natural beauty and adventure of Mt Chokai,
a member of Japan's top 100 mountains, as well as the torrents of
Mogami River, one of Japan's three most rapid and voluminous
rivers. Rice farming is a common practice in the area.
Shirakami Mountains
SAKATA
SAKATA
Hiraizumi
SENDAI
TOKYO
Yamagata
Zao
•From Tokyo by air: 1 hr flight + 30 mins bus ride
•From Sendai by highway bus: 2 hrs 50 mins (175km)
•From Zao by car: 1 hr 40 mins (132km)
•From Shirakami Mountains (World Heritage Site) by car: 4 hrs 50 mins (213km)
•From Hiraizumi (World Heritage Site) by car: 3 hrs 20 mins (181km)
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文
Sakata City Overview
文化の交流地ー酒田
米
世界に誇る米と酒
Culture and Attractions
Top Class Rice and Sake
Sakata became a prosperous and bustling port city around 300-350 years ago, when the signing of
an agreement between Osaka and Hokkaido started a flow of Kitamaebune merchant ships and the
trade of rice and herring fish between the provinces. Sakata Port was a hive of activity for both the
merchant ships and local river boats which transported goods within the region.
Sakata is one of Japan's best rice producing areas, nestled in
the Shonai plains in North East Yamagata Prefecture. It has
rich and cultivatable soils bordered by the Sea of Japan on one
side and the mountains on the other. The region has recently
launched the new “Tsuyahime” brand of rice in recognition of
these superb rice growing conditions. The area also produces
many brands of sake which are popular across Japan.
絶品
Due to prosperity brought to Sakata by merchant shipping, many luxurious homes were built in the area.
The impressive Homma Manshion remains a legacy of the major landholder Homma family. The
family was wealthier than the Lord of Shonai himself and is known to have provided significant
assistance to the local people
to prevent famine and
hardship during periods when
the Shonai and Uesugi clans
experienced financial difficulty.
海
海の幸
Bountiful Seafood Delicacies
The meeting of both warm and cold ocean
currents off the coast of Sakata provides the
region with fresh and abundant seafood.
Visitors are recommended to visit the popular
Sakata Seafood Market (at the Port of Sakata)
where they can enjoy authentic and tasty sashimi
and sushi prepared from the local daily catch.
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Recommended Attractions
酒
湊町・酒田のシンボル
温
大自然に囲まれた温泉宿
Top Attraction of Sakata City
Outstanding Natural Hot Springs
Sankyo Warehouse 【山居倉庫】<Official site>
Chokai Sanso Onsen Hotel【鳥海山荘】
The rice warehouse was built about 120 years ago and is
evidence of the vibrant rice shipping history of Sakata.
We are reminded of the wisdom of our predecessors at
the warehouse, as to this day, an avenue of Zelkova trees
planted behind the warehouse buildings continue to
help naturally cool the high temperatures of Summer.
The inner area is usually lively and popular with visitors, as souvenirs, including
Shonai Rice, can be purchased from the Sakata Tourism and Produce Center (酒田
夢の倶楽) and the Shonai Rice History Museum (庄内米歴史資料館) located there.
At an altitude of 500m, visitors to the Chokai Hot Springs
Hotel can take in Breathtaking views. To the North is Mt
Chokai's summit (one of Japan's top 100 mountains) and in
the South is Mt Gassan (one of the three sacred Dewa Sanzan
mountains). The views of the Sea of Japan are also impressive.
This hotel is popular with hikers climbing Mt Chokai in the
Summer. It also has an outdoor onsen for use by casual visitors.
The Chokai Natural Family Village (鳥海高原家族旅行村) and the Chokai Raptor Protection
Center (鳥海イヌワシ未来館) are also close-by and popular with families.
Access :5 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car
Access :45 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car (Ask for a free shuttle bus transfer)
文化と伝統
夕
Come Aboard and Watch the Sun Set into the Sea
Sakata Port Cruise
Experience a relaxing Summer evening
cruise around the Port of Sakata,
departing every Saturday evening during
July and August. Watch the sun set
slowly into the Sea of Japan.
Access :7 mins from Sakata JR Train Station
by car.
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Recommended Attractions (cont...)
庄内平野と最上川、日本海を一望できるビュースポット
景
日本最初の写真専門の美術館
写
Panoramic Views of the Shonai Plain,
Mogami River and Sea of Japan
Choukai no Mori Recreation Area 【眺海の森】
The First Professional Photography
Museum in Japan
Ken Domon Museum of Photography【土門拳記念館】<Official site>
Being commonly known as Kenmin no Mori, the area has hotels
and facilities for many outdoor activities, including skiing, camping
and picnicking. It is also a popular area for viewing the sunset.
Hiking during the Fall colors is highly recommended, as are the
organized trekking tours where professional guides introduce the
plants and animals of the area.(In Japanese language only)
Access :15 mins from Amarume JR Rikuusaisen Line Train Station by car
館
歴史を刻む武家屋敷
Ken Domon was honored as
the first Honorary Citizen of
Sakata in 1974. As a Master
Photographer, he is known
for establishing “Realism
Photography” in Japan. The
private museum was opened in 1983 to display some 70,000
pieces of exceptional photographic works he donated to the city.
In 2009, this museum was rated 2 Stars by the Michelin
Green Guide Japan.
Historic Samurai Residence (Bukeyashiki)
Access :16 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by “Run-Run” bus Dai-gakusen
Former main residence of Homma Family 【本間家旧本邸】
Line
Built 250 years ago and open to the public since 1982, this is
a rare structure as it mixes the usually separate dwellings of the
Samurai warrior class, with the merchant class. The dwelling
includes an exquisite exhibition of Japanese Hina dolls and crafts.
Across the road is an annex (Tana) to the main building, with an
area displaying, amongst other items, a traditional styled trading
booth (Choba), Japanese paper lanterns (Andon) and kitchen
hardware used in the day.
Souvenirs are available for purchase in the museum.
Access :6 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car
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Getting There
From
TOKYO
東京
From
SENDAI
By JR Train
By Highway Bus
East Japan Railway Company (In English)
Tokyo
Station
Shonai Kotsu Bus (In Japanese only)
Niigata
Station
Joetsu Shinkansen Line
(Bullet Train) (About 2 hrs)
仙台
Tsuruoka
Station
Uetsu Honsen Line
(About 2 hrs)
Sakata
Station
Tsuruoka
S-MA LL
Sendai
(About 20 mins)
(About 2 hrs 10 mins)
Sakata Shoko
bus terminal
(About 40 mins)
By Car
Tokyo
Station
Shinjyo
Station
Sakata
Station
Rikuu-sai Line (About 1 hr)
*For Tsuruoka Station, change
trains at Amarume Station
Yamagata Shinkansen Line
(Bullet Train) (About 3 hrs)
Murata
Junction
Sendai
Tohoku Expressway
(About 10 mins)
Tsuruoka
Interchange
Yamagata Expressway Route 112
(About 1 hr 45 mins)
Sakata
Interchange
(About 15 mins)
By Air
Haneda
Airport
Shonai
Airport
All Nippon Airways (In English)
ANA (About 1 hr)
Hotel Reservations
Shonai Airport to Sakata City center by airport bus
Shonai
Airport
Sankyo
Soko
Sakata
Station
Sakata Shoko
bus terminal
Shonai Kotsu Bus (In Japanese only)
*Shonai Airport to Sakata City center by airport bus. (Duration 30-40 mins)
*Bus schedule between Sakata City and the airport varies depending on flights. Check schedule before use.
*Cost of 35 min taxi ride from Shonai Airport to Sakata Station is approx. 5,000 Yen.
Copyright © Sakata Tourism and Products Association. All Rights Reserved.
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