【GeGeGe no Kitaro】(Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture)
Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture is known as the hometown where Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of the nationally beloved manga “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” spent his childhood. Today, it has become a major tourist destination attracting fans from across the nation as Japan’s largest yokai-themed town. This article presents the full charm of Sakaiminato City.
The Deep Connection Between Sakaiminato City and GeGeGe no Kitaro
Shigeru Mizuki and Sakaiminato
Shigeru Mizuki was born in Osaka in 1922, but spent his childhood through young adulthood in Sakaiminato City. His experiences in Sakaiminato, particularly stories about yokai told by a neighborhood woman called “Nonnon-ba,” are said to have had a major influence on his later works.
Sakaiminato City honored Mizuki’s achievements by developing the entire town as a yokai theme park. Since the birth of Mizuki Shigeru Road in 1993, Sakaiminato has become nationally known as the “Yokai Town.”
The World of GeGeGe no Kitaro
“GeGeGe no Kitaro” depicts a world where yokai and humans coexist. The protagonist Kitaro, the last survivor of the ghost clan, resolves various problems that arise between humans and yokai. Featuring distinctive yokai characters such as Eyeball Dad, Nezumi-Otoko, Neko-Musume, Konaki-Jiji, and Sunakake-Babaa, the series continues to be loved across generations.
Mizuki Shigeru Road: An 800-Meter Promenade Welcomed by Yokai
Overview of Mizuki Shigeru Road
Mizuki Shigeru Road is a promenade extending approximately 800 meters from in front of JR Sakaiminato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall. Since its opening in 1993, it has been developed in stages, with a major renewal implemented in July 2018.
Currently, 178 yokai bronze statues line both sides of the road, welcoming visitors with characters from “GeGeGe no Kitaro” and traditional yokai from throughout Japan. Each statue features an explanatory plaque describing the yokai’s name and characteristics.
Yokai Placement by Zone
The 2018 renewal reorganized the yokai into thematic zones. Walking from the station toward the memorial hall, visitors can enjoy the following zones:
Station Front Area: Main characters such as Kitaro and Eyeball Dad are concentrated here. The station itself is decorated as “Kitaro Station,” drawing visitors into the yokai world from the moment of arrival.
Shopping District Area: Various types of yokai bronze statues are scattered throughout, with shops themed around yokai lining the streets. Visitors can simultaneously enjoy shopping for yokai merchandise, souvenirs, and dining.
Memorial Hall Vicinity Area: Spots offering a more detailed experience of the yokai world are concentrated here.
Mizuki Shigeru Road at Night
The nighttime illumination that began with the 2018 renewal is a new attraction of Mizuki Shigeru Road. After sunset, the yokai bronze statues and street trees are lit up, creating a fantastical atmosphere completely different from daytime.
The illumination runs from sunset until around 10 PM, offering a special experience of nocturnal yokai exploration. In contrast to the lively daytime atmosphere, a quiet and mystical yokai world unfolds.
Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall: Deepening Understanding of Works and Life
Characteristics of the Memorial Hall
The Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall, located at the terminus of Mizuki Shigeru Road, comprehensively introduces Mizuki’s life, works, and the yokai world.
Address: 5 Honcho, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission 4:30 PM)
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Adults ¥700, Junior/Senior High Students ¥500, Elementary School Students ¥300
Exhibition Contents
The hall is divided into multiple zones, each featuring different themes:
Shigeru Mizuki’s Life: His childhood in Sakaiminato, wartime experiences, and his journey through hardship to success as a manga artist are presented through photographs and documents.
Works Gallery: Original artwork and production processes of “GeGeGe no Kitaro” and other masterpieces can be viewed. This is a rare opportunity to appreciate Mizuki’s meticulous drawing technique and unique worldview up close.
Yokai Cave: A dimly lit cave-like space displays various yokai. This interactive exhibit allows both children and adults to immerse themselves in the yokai world.
Mizuki World: The hall also displays ethnographic materials and masks from around the world that Mizuki collected, allowing visitors to appreciate the international scope of yokai culture.
Gegege’s Yokai Paradise: Experience-Type Attractions
Overview of Yokai Paradise
Gegege’s Yokai Paradise is an experiential facility that opened in 2018 along Mizuki Shigeru Road. It is particularly popular with families as a place where visitors can see, play, and enjoy the world of “GeGeGe no Kitaro.”
Address: 138 Sakaecho, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture
Operating Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Hours vary seasonally)
Admission: Adults ¥700, Junior/Senior High Students ¥500, Elementary School Students ¥300
Ways to Enjoy Yokai Paradise
Nostalgic Fair Games: Visitors can enjoy vintage carnival games such as shooting galleries, ring toss, and smart ball. All games incorporate yokai motifs, offering an authentic Gegege experience.
Photo Spots: Numerous photo opportunities are available with Kitaro, Eyeball Dad, and their companions. Life-sized character figures, face-out panels, and other Instagram-worthy photo spots abound.
Yokai Attractions: Small-scale attractions allowing visitors to experience the yokai world are especially popular with children.
Yokai Goods Shop: Original merchandise and limited-edition products are available for purchase.
Tips for Exploring the Park
As Yokai Paradise is an outdoor facility, visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather. Rest areas are available within the park, allowing for a leisurely enjoyment of the yokai world. Plan for 1-2 hours to fully experience the facility.
Other Yokai Spots
Yokai Shrine
Yokai Shrine, located midway along Mizuki Shigeru Road, is a unique shrine established in 2000. Its sacred object is a black granite stone approximately 3 meters high, with the “Eyeball Stone” shaped like Eyeball Dad also enshrined here.
At Yokai Shrine, visitors can purchase talismans and ema plaques related to yokai. The “Yokai Shrine Stamp” is particularly popular, sought by many visitors as a souvenir.
Yokai Police Box
The police box along Mizuki Shigeru Road is also designed in yokai style. Statues of Kitaro and Nezumi-Otoko are placed on the roof, and it serves as a tourist information center. While actual police officers are stationed here to ensure visitor safety, they also help create the yokai world atmosphere.
Yokai Signboards
Each shop in the shopping district displays a signboard featuring a different yokai. With over 100 varieties of yokai signboards in total, hunting for them while walking is part of the fun. Many shops offer products and services based on their featured yokai, making shop-visiting itself an attraction.
Kappa Spring
A small plaza along Mizuki Shigeru Road recreates kappa statues playing by the water’s edge. During summer, it is also a popular water play spot for children.
Access to Sakaiminato
Access from Yonago Kitaro Airport
Yonago Kitaro Airport (officially Yonago Airport), located on the border between Tottori and Shimane prefectures, serves as the gateway to Sakaiminato City. The airport’s nickname “Yonago Kitaro Airport” allows visitors to enjoy the yokai atmosphere from arrival.
From the airport to central Sakaiminato, there are several options:
Shuttle Bus: Takes approximately 45 minutes from the airport to Sakaiminato Station with a fare of about ¥900. Service is limited to several buses daily, so it is recommended to check the schedule in advance.
Taxi: Takes approximately 30 minutes with fares around ¥5,000.
Rental Car: Rental car counters are available at the airport, making it convenient for those wishing to move freely.
Access from Izumo Enmusubi Airport
Izumo Enmusubi Airport in Shimane Prefecture also provides access to Sakaiminato City. The distance from the airport is approximately one hour by car. This is convenient for planning a tour combining Sakaiminato with Izumo Taisha.
Access by JR Train
Travel by JR Sanin Main Line to Yonago Station, then transfer to the Sakai Line to Sakaiminato Station. The Sakai Line is known as the “Kitaro Train,” with each car featuring different yokai characters. Six train sets operate featuring Kitaro, Nezumi-Otoko, Neko-Musume, Eyeball Dad, Konaki-Jiji & Sunakake-Babaa, and Ichimatsu-Momen respectively.
The journey from Yonago Station to Sakaiminato Station takes approximately 45 minutes with a fare of ¥320. Riding the Kitaro Train itself is a tourism experience, with station announcements also in yokai style.
Access by Car
From the Osaka area: Chugoku Expressway → Yonago Expressway → approximately 40 minutes from Yonago IC
From the Hiroshima area: Sanin Expressway → approximately 40 minutes from Yonago IC
From the Okayama area: Yonago Expressway → approximately 40 minutes from Yonago IC
Multiple paid parking lots are available throughout Sakaiminato, scattered around Mizuki Shigeru Road. Typical daily rates are around ¥500.
Recommended Sakaiminato Sightseeing Courses
Day Trip Course (Duration: Approximately 5-6 hours)
9:30 AM Arrival at Sakaiminato Station, memorial photos with Kitaro and friends at the station front
10:00 AM Stroll through Mizuki Shigeru Road viewing yokai bronze statues
11:30 AM Experience carnival games and photo spots at Yokai Paradise
12:30 PM Lunch at shopping district (enjoy yokai cuisine)
2:00 PM Thorough exhibition viewing at Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall
3:30 PM Visit Yokai Shrine, souvenir shopping
4:30 PM Depart from Sakaiminato Station
Two-Day, One-Night Course
Day 1
Arrive in afternoon, stroll through Mizuki Shigeru Road, enjoy nighttime illumination, stay in Sakaiminato or Yonago
Day 2
Morning visit to Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall and Yokai Paradise, lunch followed by seafood shopping at Sakaiminato Sakanacenter, or extend trip to Miho Cape or Mount Daisen area
Sakaiminato Cuisine and Souvenirs
Yokai Cuisine
Sakaiminato offers various cuisine themed around yokai:
Eyeball Dad Chestnut Buns: Popular sweets shaped like Eyeball Dad
Yokai Ramen: Visually entertaining ramen with black broth or green noodles
Kitaro Yaki: Kitaro-shaped pastries in a taiyaki style
Yokai Soft Serve Ice Cream: Colorful and mysterious soft serve in blue, purple, and other unusual hues
Sakaiminato Seafood Cuisine
Sakaiminato is also one of Japan’s major fishing ports, particularly renowned for red snow crab, leading the nation in landings.
Crab Dishes: Fresh red snow crab cuisine available year-round
Seafood Rice Bowls: Rice bowls topped with fresh seafood landed in Sakaiminato
Nodoguro: Alfonsino (nodoguro), a premium fish, is also a Sakaiminato specialty
Souvenirs
Yokai Goods: A wide variety including plushies, keychains, stationery, and more
Yokai Sweets: Cookies, crackers, chocolates, and other confections featuring yokai motifs
Mizuki Shigeru-Related Books: Manga, art books, yokai encyclopedias, and more
Sakaiminato Marine Products: Dried fish, delicacies, crab products, and more
Nearby Attractions
Miho Shrine and Miho Cape
Miho Shrine, approximately 20 minutes by car from Sakaiminato, is known as the head shrine of Ebisu. The Miho Cape Lighthouse and charming Aozura-tatami Street offer picturesque harbor scenery.
Mount Daisen
Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region, is approximately one hour by car from Sakaiminato. Visitors can enjoy mountaineering, skiing, nature walks, and seasonal activities.
Adachi Museum of Art
Located in Yasuki, Shimane Prefecture, the Adachi Museum of Art is internationally recognized for its Japanese garden. Approximately 40 minutes by car from Sakaiminato, it features Japanese painting collections and beautiful gardens.
Izumo Taisha
Izumo Taisha, famous as the shrine of matchmaking, is approximately one hour by car from Sakaiminato. It is popular as a combined sightseeing route with Sakaiminato.
Practical Information for Sakaiminato Tourism
Tourist Information Center
Sakaiminato Station Tourist Information Center: Located within JR Sakaiminato Station, it provides tourist maps, accommodation referrals, and luggage storage services. Yokai stamp rally forms can also be obtained here.
Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Open year-round)
Best Seasons
While Sakaiminato is enjoyable year-round, recommended seasons include:
Spring (March-May): Mild weather ideal for strolling
Summer (July-August): Popular with families during summer vacation, many events held
Autumn (October-November): Beginning of crab season, culinary attractions abundant
Winter (November-March): Peak season for crabs, relatively fewer tourists allow for peaceful sightseeing
Estimated Time Requirements
Mizuki Shigeru Road stroll only: 2-3 hours
Basic course including memorial hall: 4-5 hours
Comprehensive course including Yokai Paradise: 6-7 hours
Two-day itinerary including nearby attractions: Recommended
Clothing and Essentials
Mizuki Shigeru Road centers on outdoor strolling, requiring comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Summer demands hats and sunscreen due to strong sun; winter requires adequate warm clothing.
Cameras and smartphones are essential. Those wishing to photograph all 178 yokai bronze statues should ensure sufficient battery power and memory capacity.
Event Information
Mizuki Shigeru Birthday Festival
Held annually in March to celebrate the birth of Mizuki Shigeru, featuring special exhibitions, talk shows, and limited merchandise sales.
Yokai Bronze Statue Cleaning Volunteer Activity
A regularly held citizen-participation event where yokai bronze statues are polished and cleaned. Tourists can participate, developing closer bonds with the yokai.
Sakaiminato Yokai Jazz Festival
An autumn music event where Mizuki Shigeru Road is filled with jazz melodies.
Mizuki Shigeru Road Illumination
Special illumination events held during winter months offer spectacular displays different from regular evening lighting.
Conclusion: Fully Experience the Yokai World in Sakaiminato
Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture is a one-of-a-kind tourist destination where visitors can fully experience the world of “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” Featuring the 178 yokai bronze statues of Mizuki Shigeru Road, profound learning at the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall, experiential attractions at Yokai Paradise, and fresh seafood, the city offers diverse attractions.
Enjoyable for everyone from children to adults across generations, Sakaiminato offers satisfying tourism whether visiting for a day or staying overnight. In this special space where Japanese traditional culture of yokai blends with Mizuki Shigeru’s rich imagination, experience an extraordinary adventure.
From the moment you step off at Sakaiminato Station, you become an inhabitant of the yokai world. Kitaro, Eyeball Dad, and 178 yokai companions eagerly await your visit.
