Things to do in Sakai

I went there imagining a scene from a suspense movie, but perhaps because the weather was nice, it was bright and the view was great, and it didn't feel dark at all. That said, it was quite high up towards the edge of the rocky area, which was a little scary. There were many souvenir shops and restaurants on the way to the parking lot, but many were closed, giving it a slightly deserted feel. I think it's worth visiting at least once!

Maruoka Castle is one of the top 100 famous castles in Japan and an important cultural property. It is a flat mountain castle with the oldest castle tower in Japan. Maruoka Castle is also known as Kasumi Castle. In the spring, cherry blossoms bloom around the ancient castle. From a distance, it seems to be hidden in the sunset. It is also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. Maruoka Castle was built in the Warring States Period and has been governed by four generations of castle lords from different forces. It is also a tourist attraction that local residents are proud of.

Figure 1 shows the store where the food voucher can be used; other stores don't accept it. It's a Mario-themed food store. I selected the starred item priced at 1100, and although it exceeded 1000, they didn't ask me to pay an extra 100. All the food items there could be redeemed; they were beautifully presented and delicious.

The Yokokan Garden is the villa of the Matsudaira family, the feudal lord. It was renovated by the 7th generation Yoshida. The building is surrounded by a strolling garden with forests and springs. Due to partial damage, it took several years to restore it to its current appearance.

I recommend the 1-hour Zen meditation experience. You will be taught by a monk! The temple grounds are spacious and surrounded by nature, and it feels great. There are souvenir shops, soba restaurants, and restaurants serving miso cutlets nearby, so it's a great place for lunch.