Sakaiminato – 境港

Dearest Rachel –

This will be our fifth stop in as many days; the cruise line advertised themselves as offering an intensive experience, and they do not disappoint.

In fact, given the terrain of the Land of the Rising Sun, it’s probably easier to travel from city to city by ship like this than to attempt a road trip by car. There’d certainly be a lot less traffic, apart from the ports themselves.

Sakaiminato is a city located in Tottori prefecture, Japan, on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The name Sakaiminato means “border of Sakai,” referring to its location on the border between the former provinces of Inaba and Izumo. The borders of Tottori and Shimane prefectures do not perfectly align with those of the ancient provinces of Izumo and Inaba, but they are similar. Inaba province roughly corresponds to the eastern half of present-day Tottori prefecture, while Izumo province covers most of present-day Shimane prefecture. However, the ancient provinces were smaller and had different boundaries than the modern prefectures, and over time the administrative divisions of Japan have changed, so the borders are not exact matches. Nevertheless, the names of these ancient provinces continue to be used in the region as a way to preserve cultural and historical traditions. As for the “Sakai” part of the name, it’s a common Japanese place name, and it can have various meanings depending on the kanji characters used to write it. In the case of Sakaiminato, the name is written as 境港 in Japanese, which means “border harbor”. This name likely refers to the city’s location on the border between the Sea of Japan and the Nakaumi Lagoon.

Sakaiminato was originally a small fishing village, but its fortunes changed in the late 19th century when a rail line was built connecting it to other parts of Japan. The city became an important transportation hub and port, which helped to spur its economic growth.

One of Sakaiminato’s most famous landmarks is the Mizuki Shigeru Road, a street dedicated to the life and works of the manga artist Mizuki Shigeru. Mizuki was born in Sakaiminato, and the street is lined with bronze statues of his characters, including GeGeGe no Kitaro, a popular manga and anime series.

Another popular attraction in Sakaiminato is the Yumeminato Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city and the Sea of Japan. Visitors can also take a boat tour of the harbor to see the fishing boats and enjoy the scenic views.

During April, one of the best places to visit in Sakaiminato is the Sakaiminato Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held in Minato Park. The park is home to over 1,500 cherry blossom trees, which bloom in early April and create a stunning pink canopy over the park. The festival usually takes place from late March to early April. However, I’ve been warned that the exact dates may vary from year to year depending on when the cherry blossoms are expected to be in full bloom. In general, cherry blossoms in the San’in region, where Sakaiminato is located, tend to bloom a bit later than in other parts of Japan. So, it’s possible that the festival may still be going, but there aren’t any guarantees.

Now, our shore excursion will be taking us to Matsue City, the capital of neighboring Shimane prefecture, and the home of Matsue Castle, also known as the “black castle” due to its distinctive black exterior. It’s a feudal castle, completed in 1611 by the local feudal lord, Matsudaira Naomasa, and one of only 12 original castles remaining in Japan. It is also one of the few castles to have survived wars, fires, and natural disasters throughout the centuries. It was built by the daimyo (feudal lord) Horio Yoshiharu, who ruled over the Matsue domain. The castle was strategically located near Lake Shinji and the Sea of Japan, making it an important defensive position during the feudal era. One of the unique features of Matsue Castle is its traditional wooden construction, which includes a system of interlocking joints and wooden pegs instead of nails or metal fasteners. The castle has been designated as a National Treasure of Japan and is a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts. Its towers, gates, and fortified walls offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and also features exhibits and displays showcasing the history of the Matsue domain and the life of the samurai who lived there.

From there, we will be taking a leisurely trip down the Horikawa River, which flows through the city, and was originally dug in the 17th century to serve as a moat for Matsue Castle. It is a major river in the city and has played an important role in its history and development. These days, the Horikawa River is a popular spot for visitors to Matsue City, including ourselves, as we’ll be cruising on it as part of our shore excursion. The river is lined with cherry trees, which bloom in the spring and attract many visitors during the Sakura (cherry blossom) season. The boat tour should provide a scenic view of the city and its surroundings before we return to Sakaiminato and the ship.

As for interesting tidbits, Sakaiminato is known for its seafood, particularly crab and squid. The city is home to the Sakaiminato Fish Center, a market where visitors can buy fresh seafood and watch the local fishermen unload their catch – none of which will interest Daniel in the slightest (and to be honest, it’s not as if I would be eager to find a souvenir here, myself). Sakaiminato is also known for its “yokai” (supernatural creatures) folklore, which is celebrated in the Mizuki Shigeru Road and in various local events and festivals throughout the year. Not sure if it’s in homage to GeGeGe no Kitaro, or if the manga simply popularized something that was already a particular common legend.

Regardless, keep an eye on us, honey, and wish us luck. We’re going to need it.