Sakai, Japan: A hidden gem that 99% of people have never been to
There is such a treasure town in Osaka, Japan 🇯🇵, its name is just one word: Sakai City, which can be reached by tram from Osaka in more than 10 minutes. Compared to the crowded Osaka, the streets here are sparsely populated! It can be described as spacious, and you will find unexpected surprises wherever you go!
The biggest surprise is that Japan also has trams! The main attractions in Sakai City are connected by trams, which are very suitable for those who don’t like walking but want to check in at niche places! Share my itinerary:
The first stop is Daisen Park: There are the North Gate Ginkgo Boulevard, the Peace Tower, the gourd-shaped "Luo Pond", etc. There are also green squares, children's forests, Sakai City Museum, and Japanese gardens. It is also a good place to enjoy cherry blossoms in spring. It is a small place with few people and beautiful scenery. 🐉 Dragon God Fountain: Located in the city center, there is a dragon 🐉 god statue in the center of the fountain, with water spraying from the dragon's mouth. It is surrounded by green trees, flower beds and trails, and is brightly lit at night.
Stop [Second]: Sumiyoshi Torii Gate⛩️. After getting off the bus, you will see the 1,800-year-old Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, which is also the head shrine of the 2,300 Sumiyoshi Shrines across Japan⛩️. It’s very big and fun to visit, and the historic buildings are also great for taking photos. Trams pass by the shrine from time to time, and you can also walk around the nearby streets, which has a very Japanese drama-like feel.
The third stop: Sakai City Hall's office building, the Hotel, but the 21st floor sightseeing floor is open to the public free of charge, so foreigners can also visit for free! You can take the elevator directly to the first floor, where you can overlook the entire city of Sakai.
The biggest highlight is that you can see the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku next to it from the air. The tomb is 486 meters long, 36 meters high, and covers a total area of 464,000 square meters. It is known as one of the three largest imperial tombs in the world along with the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang and the Pyramid of Khufu. Due to the great difficulty of development, it is currently completely closed. Looking down from the air is truly spectacular yet oppressive.
The [Fourth] stop, Shimano Bicycle Museum: A must-visit for cycling 🚲 enthusiasts, with a rich collection of items, ranging from classic models to the latest road bikes 🚲, and you can also discover the value of bicycles from multiple perspectives. Konpeito Museum🕍: You can learn about the long history and culture of Konpeito, and you can also make original Konpeito by yourself.
The fifth stop is to experience handmade craftsmanship. Sakai Rikki no Mori: You can make traditional Sakai wagashi by yourself here, and you can also experience the tea ceremony and feel the traditional Japanese culture. Teahouse "Shin'an": Built by a master craftsman in 1935, it has a traditional Japanese teahouse and garden, where you can enjoy authentic matcha🍵 and experience Japanese tea🍵 culture. Izumi Sharp Tool Factory: Under the guidance of professional craftsmen, you can experience assembling kitchen knife handles, engraving your name, sharpening knives, and other projects, and take away your own exclusive knives.
The sixth stop is to look for special delicacies: Japanese confectionery. We recommend the Baoquan Confectionery Shop, where you can taste Japanese confectionery made by professional craftsmen. They are beautiful in appearance and taste great. Southern French cuisine: You can go to Le Japanese Restaurant, which has been in business for 19 years. The signature dish is Nanban Chicken with tartar sauce.
There are also many attractions waiting for you to explore, such as Sakai Lighthouse, Nansoji Temple, and Hamadera Park.