Things to do in Sakaiminato

Mizuki Shigeru Road

In Japan, when people encounter mysterious and wonderful phenomena in daily life, they often attribute them to yokai. Yokai punish the lazy and willful, and sometimes teach people to cherish their belongings and care for nature and the environment. For Japanese people, they are a very familiar presence. Mr. Shigeru Mizuki grew up in Sakaiminato and developed a great interest in yokai during his youth. His notable works include "Kitaro" and others. He received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1991, and subsequently won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 1996 and 2003. His works have received attention and are influential. Mizuki Shigeru Road features over 134 lifelike bronze yokai statues along both sides. Anyone can observe and touch the statues at any time. The bases of the statues are made of black granite, integrated with the bronze statues, and can also be appreciated as works of art. They are loved by many tourists, and it can be said that the entire street is filled with a yokai atmosphere.

Yuushien

Dagen Island, located in Matsue City, is the origin of Japanese peonies. In the central part of Dagen Island, there is a Japanese garden, Yuzhi Garden. This large garden on the back of the mountain covers an area of more than 30,000 square meters. In spring, peony, cherry blossoms, and azaleas; summer pansies and hydrangea; autumn crape myrtle and red leaves; winter peony and camellia; Beautiful plants can be seen in all seasons.

Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall

Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall showcases manga and anime works from every era and the life story of Mr. Shigeru Mizuki.

Miho Shrine

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shimane Prefecture

Adachi Museum of Art

The Adachi Museum of Art, located in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of Japan's leading art museums and a cultural facility renowned worldwide for the harmonious blend of its Japanese garden and art. Founded in 1970 by Zenko Adachi, a local businessman and art collector, the museum has continuously pursued the beauty of gardens as art, based on the philosophy that "a garden is also a painting." The museum houses numerous masterpieces of modern Japanese painting, including works by Yokoyama Taikan, and its quality and quantity are highly regarded by art lovers both in Japan and abroad. In particular, works by Yokoyama Taikan are on permanent display throughout the year, and together with themed exhibitions that change with the seasons, visitors can enjoy the profound charm of Japanese painting. Furthermore, the museum also boasts a rich collection of crafts such as ceramics, wood carvings, and lacquerware, making it a great place to enjoy traditional Japanese culture from multiple perspectives. On the other hand, an indispensable feature when discussing the Adachi Museum of Art is its overwhelmingly beautiful Japanese garden. Spread across a vast area of ​​approximately 50,000 tsubo (about 165,000 square meters), the garden skillfully incorporates various styles such as dry landscape gardens, pond gardens, and moss gardens, allowing visitors to appreciate it like a painting. The large windows inside the museum act as frames, allowing visitors to quietly enjoy the art woven from nature and human hands while remaining indoors. The garden changes its appearance according to the changing seasons, showing a different kind of beauty no matter when you visit: the fresh greenery of spring, the deep green of summer, the autumn leaves, and the snowscape of winter. Furthermore, the gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art are highly regarded overseas, and have been ranked as the best in Japan for many years in a ranking by an American magazine specializing in Japanese gardens, demonstrating their international recognition for beauty. This reputation is supported by the thorough maintenance and management of the gardens carried out on a daily basis, and the meticulous care of the gardeners ensures that the landscape is always at its best. The Adachi Museum of Art is a special place where two art forms—artworks and gardens—enhance each other, providing visitors with profound inspiration and tranquility. It continues to be loved by many as a space where they can experience Japanese aesthetics and a view of nature.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shimane Prefecture

Matsue Castle

Matsue Castle is one of Japan's most beautiful historical castles. Its graceful appearance and surrounding moat display the atmosphere of the Sengoku period. Buildings such as the castle tower and turret, which have been designated as national treasures, show the rich culture and thoughts of Oda Nobunaga's era. Visitors will be able to fully enjoy the charm of Japan's history and architecture. The gardens and views within the castle are breathtakingly beautiful, and you can enjoy the scenery in each season. For history buffs and tourists, Matsue Castle will surely bring you a moving experience.

Yumeminato Tower

Yumeminato Tower is a tower and one of the taller observation towers in Japan. This tower was built to celebrate the development of Sakaiminato and promote tourism, and it has become one of the landmarks in this region. Yumeminato Tower features a unique architectural style and exquisite exterior design. Its exterior is covered with metal panels and glass curtain walls. At night, the tower is decorated with colorful lights, presenting a stunning night view. The tower's design is inspired by ships and maritime culture, symbolizing the importance of Sakaiminato as a port city. It is not only an attraction but also a venue that offers various entertainment and cultural activities. Inside the tower, there is an observation deck where visitors can go up to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Sea of Japan and the beautiful surrounding view. In addition, the tower houses restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, where visitors can enjoy delicious food, purchase souvenirs, and have a pleasant time.

Mihonoseki Lighthouse

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Japan

Here you'll find not only heart-pounding attractions themed around Hollywood blockbuster movies, but also live shows featuring popular cartoon characters—fun for everyone from kids to adults! This is home to the world's first Nintendo theme park, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! Here we have holiday-exclusive parades and float tours! Everyone here is the star—join the passionate parade, ignite your excitement together, and feel full of energy! Located in OsakaUniversal Studios Japan("Universal Studios Japan") is one of the Universal Studios theme parks. It opened in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. Its design is similar to Universal Studios Orlando in the United States, and it features popular areas such as "Jurassic Park," "Hollywood," and "Waterworld." With more than 60 fun attractions, you can keep playing and exploring all day long. Universal Studios JapanThere are also much-loved themed IP areas such as "Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)", "Minions", and "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Whether you're having fun interacting with the Minions, racing through the Mario Kart adventure, or weaving through the magical world of Hogwarts, these are all wonderfully unforgettable experiences. △The Nintendo area is a collaboration between Nintendo andUniversal Studios JapanThe world's first Nintendo theme park, jointly built, features the globally popular Super Mario as its main character. It offers a 1:1 ultra-realistic recreation of Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom from the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! △"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Freeze Ray Sliders" pull you into the Minions' gigantic chaos and whip up a heatwave! A huge swarm of Minions is running wild and turning everything upside down in every street, alley, and corner! In the joyful and boisterous Minion Park, every visitor can't help but join in the mischievous mayhem! △Welcome to the magnificent area—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which faithfully recreates the world of the Harry Potter™ stories with overwhelming scale and meticulous attention to every detail. The towering Hogwarts™ castle stands tall, and in front of it lies the vast Hogsmeade™ where wizards live, along with many ride attractions and various shops. Here, you can step into "that world" from the films, as if everything is happening right before your eyes.

Eshima Ohashi Bridge

Enoshima Bridge is a prestressed concrete bridge connecting Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, Japan, and Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Because of the need for navigation under the bridge, and considering seismic factors, part of this short bridge was built. Very exaggerated slope, so it has become a new attraction. It was also known as a location for advertisements.