What to know
Sakata (酒田) is a mid-sized city in Yamagata Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast about an hour north of the Dewa Sanzan region. It lies in the fertile Shonai Plain, renowned for its high-quality rice. During the Edo Period (1603–1868), Sakata flourished as a key port on the coastal shipping route linking Hokkaido with Osaka via the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea.
The Honma family, a local merchant dynasty, came to dominate trade in the city and amassed a fortune that surpassed that of some feudal lords. They developed close ties with the local daimyo and commissioned numerous lavish buildings. Several of these structures, along with museums and other attractions, still stand today.
Activities and attractions
Honma Museum of ArtArt museum with a beautiful Japanese garden
Sankyo WarehousesPhotogenic, historic rice warehouses
Honma ResidenceThe former residence of the leading local merchants
Kamo AquariumAquarium famous for its collection of jellyfish
Ken Domon Museum of PhotographyMuseum dedicated to the acclaimed local photographer
Dewa SanzanThree sacred mountains with shrines