Experience the best of Sakaiminato

Sakaiminato sits on the Yumigahama peninsula, a thin strip of land that separates Lake Nakaumi from the Sea of Japan in Tottori Prefecture, facing Shimane across a narrow channel. It is one of the main fishing ports on this coast, and boats land snow crab, sardines and other fish. Mount Daisen rises on the horizon.

The manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, grew up in Sakaiminato, and the main street from the station, Mizuki Shigeru Road, is lined with bronze statues of the spirits and monsters, called yokai, from his stories, along with a museum dedicated to him. The airport nearby, at Yonago, also carries the name of Kitaro.

Snow crab is the great seasonal treat, landed through the cold months and boiled, grilled or served in miso soup, and fish markets near the harbour sell the day's catch. Tottori Prefecture is also known for its pears. Summers are warm on the long beaches of the peninsula, and winters are grey and windy off the sea.