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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.

Location and Access

• 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)

SAKATA

SAKATA

SENDAI

TOKYO

Shirakami Mountains

Hiraizumi

ZaoYamagata

We l c o m e t o SA KATA

酒田

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Sakata Cit y Over view

文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.

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.

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.

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.

Culture and Attractions

Bountiful Seafood Delicacies

Top Class Rice and Sake文 化 の 交 流 地 ー 酒 田

絶 品 海 の 幸

世 界 に 誇 る 米 と 酒

P A G E 2/5

米

海

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Recommended AttractionsP A G E 3/5

酒 温

夕

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.

Outstanding Natural Hot SpringsChokai Sanso Onsen Hotel 【鳥海山荘】

大 自 然 に 囲 ま れ た 温 泉 宿

Access :45 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car (Ask for a free shuttle bus transfer)

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.

Come Aboard and Watch the Sun Set into the SeaSakata Port Cruise

文 化 と 伝 統

Access :7 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car.

Top Attraction of Sakata CitySankyo Warehouse【山居倉庫】<Official site>

湊 町 ・ 酒 田 の シ ン ボ ル

Access :5 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car

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.

Copyright © Sakata Tourism and Products Association. All Rights Reserved.

Recommended Attractions (cont...)

景 写Panoramic Views of the Shonai Plain, Mogami River and Sea of Japan

The First Professional Photography Museum in Japan

Choukai no Mori Recreation Area【眺海の森】

Former main residence of Homma Family【本間家旧本邸】

Ken Domon Museum of Photography【土門拳記念館】<Official site>

庄内平野と最上川、日本海を一望できるビュースポット 日 本 最 初 の 写 真 専 門 の 美 術 館

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)

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.

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.

Access :15 mins from Amarume JR Rikuusaisen Line Train Station by car

Access :6 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by car

Access :16 mins from Sakata JR Train Station by “Run-Run” bus Dai-gakusen Line

館Historic Samurai Residence (Bukeyashiki)歴 史 を 刻 む 武 家 屋 敷

P A G E 4/5

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Getting There

Hotel Reser vations

From TOKYO 東 京 From SENDAI 仙 台

By JR Train By Highway Bus

By Car

By Air

Joetsu Shinkansen Line (Bullet Train) (About 2 hrs)

(About 2 hrs 10 mins)

Tohoku Expressway(About 10 mins)

Click logos below to book hotels in Sakata City.

(About 40 mins)

Yamagata Expressway Route 112(About 1 hr 45 mins)

(About 15 mins)

Yamagata Shinkansen Line (Bullet Train) (About 3 hrs)

ANA (About 1 hr)

East Japan Railway Company (In English)

All Nippon Airways (In English)

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.

Uetsu Honsen Line (About 2 hrs)

(About 20 mins)

Rikuu-sai Line (About 1 hr)*For Tsuruoka Station, change

trains at Amarume Station

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station

Niigata Station

Tsuruoka Station

Shinjyo Station

Sakata Station

Sakata Station

Haneda Airport

Shonai Airport

Shonai Airport

Sendai

Sendai

Sankyo Soko

Tsuruoka S-M A LL

Tsuruoka Interchange

Sakata Interchange

Murata Junction

Sakata Station

Sakata Shokobus terminal

Sakata Shoko bus terminal

Shonai Airport to Sakata City center by airport bus

P A G E 5/5

Shonai Kotsu Bus (In Japanese only)