[2025 Sakaiminato Attraction] Travel Guide for Yokai Shrine (Updated Oct)

#Sakaiminato City #Mizuki Shigeru Road #Yonago Yokai Shrine #Sakaiminato Fish Market #Yonago Gegege no Kitaro Airport #Sakaiminato Station #Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum #Tottori Prefecture [Sakaiminato Day Trip Filled with Yokai Spirits – A Fantasy Journey from Kitaro Airport] Arriving at Yonago Gegege no Kitaro Airport early this morning, I was enveloped by the overwhelming presence of Yokai! Even the walls, floors, and restroom signs featured images of Kitaro and his companions. After collecting my luggage and renting a car, I officially embarked on my "Yokai Pilgrimage," speeding all the way to Sakaiminato Station. The sea breeze blew along the way, and the uniquely San'in blue sky and white clouds complemented the harbor scenery beautifully. The short twenty-plus-minute drive felt like a journey into another fantasy world. Upon arrival at Sakaiminato Station, the first thing I saw was Mizuki Shigeru Road, lined with Yokai statues. From Kitaro, Daddy Eyeball, Catwoman, Grandpa Weeping, and Rat Man, they all greeted me on the street! Each bronze statue is so lifelike, it seems as if it will spring to life at any moment. During the day, Mizuki Shigeru Road is filled with childlike fun, as families and fans grab maps to find the Yokai statues and snap photos along the way. I stopped by the Yokai Shrine. The water basin at the entrance, shaped like an old man with googly eyes, brought a smile to my face. The Yokai symbols enshrined there are creative, offering prayers for safety, good fortune, and even inspiration. It's truly a rare and endearing shrine in Japan. Then, I visited the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum to delve deeper into the life and creative journey of this great manga artist. From war to manga, his life is a legend in itself. The museum displays original manuscripts, props, and re-creations of animation scenes, offering a deeper understanding of the world of Gegege no Kitaro. At noon, I headed to Sakaiminato Fishing Port. The freshness of the seafood was astounding! The market was overflowing with snow crab, oysters, and tuna, and the aroma was fragrant. I ordered a freshly cooked snow crab set meal—each person got a whole crab, the meat was sweet and the roe was rich, and my happiness level instantly soared! Watching the fishing boats come and go as I ate, I felt like a local fisherman, immersed in the daily life of the port town. In the evening, I returned to Mizuki Shigeru Road. The street lights lit up, transforming into "Yokai Night." Each streetlight projected a different yokai, and the atmosphere shifted from the cuteness of daytime to mystery. The theme music playing along the way, along with the occasional catwoman's laughter, made me feel like I was transported to the world of anime. Under the night sky, Kitaro and his friends quietly guarded the town, creating a dreamy and heartwarming atmosphere. After a fulfilling and magical day, I reluctantly set off on my journey home. From Yonago Kitaro Airport to Sakaiminato, and from day to night, the city, brimming with yokai culture and harbor charm, completely captivated me. Yokai may be fantasy, but the magic of Sakaiminato is real. 😜

Before leaving Yonago, we headed to Sakaiminato to visit Yokai Town. Stepping into Minato is like entering the world of Gegege no Kitaro. Gegege no Kitaro displays radiate from Sakaiminato Station, and traces of him can be seen throughout the town. We strolled to the Yokai Shrine. This small and adorable shrine has a souvenir shop nearby where travelers can purchase Yokai amulets. This allowed us to add a tangible childhood memory to our travel treasure chest. Before leaving Sakaiminato, we visited the Gegege no Kitaro haunted house. The lights, decorations, and sound effects, as well as the final performance where participants were chased to the exit, were truly spectacular. While photos are allowed in the haunted house, video is not. Otherwise, I really wanted to capture the final chase scene on video to add a classic touch to this trip.

📅 Itinerary Day1: Yoshio Onsen Sunshine Beach The real sea paradise Kitei-cho Detective Ichigo Day2: Oyama Shrine Oyama Ranch Tottori Sand Dunes Beware of sunscreen and heat stroke Day3: White Rabbit🐰 Shrine Sakai Minato City visits Kitaro and his monster friends 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation is near the seaside of Kiyo Onsen 🍴Food Recommendation Seafood Don Sushi Grill 📌 Practical Tips Renting a car is the most convenient Airport pick up and do not have to take the Shuttle

#Seasonal places in Japan Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture, is the birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, the creator of Gegege no Kitaro, and is famous as a "town of monsters." The Mizuki Shigeru Road, which opened in 1993, is a monster road that stretches for about 800m from Sakaiminato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum. °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• ① Monster Square A small park with objects, benches, and sunshades. The street lamp is also Medama Oyaji. ② Kappa Fountain The "Kappa Fountain" in the Yokai Square There are a total of nine bronze statues of water-related monsters such as Sanpei, the main character of "Kappa no Sanpei," a kappa, Azukiarai, Akuma-kun, and a raccoon dog. ③ Yokai Shrine In front of the shrine, there is water for Medama Oyaji purification. Go through the Ittan Momen Torii gate. When you enter, you will find a sacred black granite stone, a 300-year-old zelkova tree, and a stone eye with a mysterious story. ④ Yokai stamp rally Purchase a yokai guidebook for 120 yen and collect yokai stamps placed at various locations. If you collect more than 20, you will be certified as a yokai museum. There are also prizes depending on the number of stamps you collect. ⑤ Yokai bronze statues When Mizuki Shigeru Road was created, there were 23 bronze yokai statues in total, and the number has been increasing year by year, reaching a total of 177 in 2018. The yokai are divided into zones according to the place and type they inhabit, such as those that live in the forest and those that lurk in familiar places. °•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°• Access 📍〒684-0004 Taisho-cho, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture 📍From Sakaiminato Station to the memorial hall is about 800m, about 15 minutes on foot 📍From Yonago Taro Airport, about 6km, about 20 minutes by car By airport shuttle bus, about 6km to Sakaiminato Station, about 25 minutes 📍There is no dedicated parking lot, so use Hinode Parking Lot, Sakaiminato Station Parking Lot, Taisho-cho Parking Lot, etc. #Tottori #Sakaiminato #Mizuki Shigeru Road #Yokai Shrine #Yokai #Domestic Travel #Solo Travel