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Port of Sakai

 

Serving as a port of call since ancient times for ships operating the Sea of Japan route, Sakai has supported the economies of the Hanshin, Sanyo and Kyushu regions through its strategic position on the domestic shipping lines. In recent years, it has developed as the San-in region's largest base port, starting operation of the cargo liner routes to China and Pusan. Operating domestic ferry services to remote islands, it also links up international shipping routes such as those to Korea and Russia, and is the gateway for sightseeing in the Oki Islands.

2012-2013 Cruise Schedule >

Port of Sakai

 

Sightseeing highlights of surrounding area

  • Matsue Castle and samurai residence
    Matsue Castle and samurai residence
    Built in 1611, this preserved castle tower is a rarity even in Japan, and features a spectacular gable resembling an opened winged plover.
     
  • Adachi Museum of Art
    Adachi Museum of Art
    Collections include modern Japanese paintings, ceramics and lacquerware. Its Japanese gardens are particularly famous, nominated number 1 six years running in an American Japanese gardening magazine.
     
 
  • Izumo-taisha Shrine
    Izumo-taisha Shrine
    Famously dedicated to the god of marriage, the inner shrine is built in the most ancient style of Japanese shrine architecture, and is a designated national treasure.
     
  • Daisen
    Daisen
    This magnificent mountain once enjoyed the worship of a religion that deified mountains, and is home to a great number of shrines, temples and Buddha statues.
     
 

Culture

  • Foods
    Izumo soba
    Izumo soba is one of Japan’s three major soba varieties, (along with Togakushi soba in Nagano and Wanko soba in Iwate). It is widely eaten in the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture. It is also called Wariko soba (whole buckwheat soba) and Kamaage soba (served in a hot pot).
     
  • Local specialties
    Yumihama gasuri (Yumihama fabric)
    This is a cotton fabric made in the Yumigahama Peninsula near Saki Minato, Tottori Prefecture. It is dyed with indigo to form a pattern called Kissho-mon (lucky sign) that ensures family happiness.
     
 
  • Event
    Sakai Minato Festival (July)
    This festival starts with Tairyo Kigansai (festival to pray for a good catch) and follows a parade of fishing boats equipped with Mikoshi (portable shrine) and Taiko (Japanese drums) along Sakai Suido Waterway.
     
  • World Heritage Sites
    Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and Surrounding Cultural Landscape
    Iwami Ginzan was Japan’s largest silver mine and it had its peak from the late Civil War Period until the early Edo period (16th to 18th century). At its peak, 30% of the world’s silver was produced at this mine. The mine is now closed. In the development of the silver mine, a lot of charcoal was needed for silver refining. To make charcoal, a lot of lumber was necessary, which resulted in extensive logging of forestland. Fortunately, however, forest administration had been carefully conducted to make sure that the logging would have the least adverse effect on the environment. As a result, there still remains here a beautiful forest with broad-leaf trees even today. Consideration of environmental protection is a key concept in our 21st century, but the concept had already been put into practice at Iwami Ginza many years ago. In the evaluation of the registration, this special consideration given to environment protection was highly regarded and, thus, the mine was finally granted the status of a World Cultural Heritage Site.
     
 

Excursion information

2 hour course Wonder at the Yushien miniature garden of the ancient Izumo Province
4 hour course Relax at Kaike-onsen hot spring's Soho-Furusato-kan and foot spa
6 hour course Tour by old-fashioned train of Izumo-taisha and shrine town

Passenger terminal information

Tourist information center. Exchange counter (on arrival and departure from international routes only).

Welcome event display of traditional entertainment, distribution of souvenirs (Japanese crackers), serving of sake etc.

Facilities for the disabled

Toilet, AED (automated external defibrillator).

Location

Showa-machi, Sakaiminato City, Tottori, 684-0034

Access

Nearest station Sakaiminato Station on JR Sakai Line (30 mins on foot, 20 mins by bus, 10 mins by taxi)
Airport Miho-Yonago Airport (30 mins by bus, 15 mins by taxi)

Tourist information center

Sakaiminato Tourism Association, Tourist Information Office
215 Taisho-machi, Sakaiminato City, Tottori, 684-0004
TEL : +81-859-47-0121

Reception for bicycle rental, hot spring accommodation reservations, taxi reservations etc.

Reference website >

Japan Map >