In the following package tours, embark on your Sakata journey via the Uetsu Main Line to explore some of Sakata’s cultural, culinary, and historical highlights.
Make your way to the historical residence of the Homma, a wealthy merchant family deeply influential on the Sakata area for many generations. Through a guided tour of the building (which is the only one of its type in Japan, built in both the samurai and merchant styles of architecture), learn about the differences in social classes, the history of the Homma family, and see for yourself how people lived and thrived in former times.
Visit another site closely tied to the Homma family, the Homma Museum of Art. In addition to the art museum itself (which features a variety of regularly changing exhibitions), a highlight of Sakata is the Japanese garden laid out around a central pond on the museum grounds and overlooked by a grand Edo-period villa, originally constructed as a holiday home for the Homma family. Led by the museum director, enjoy an exclusive tour of the museum, garden, and villa and then take time to explore freely for yourself. Come back at night for an exclusive musical performance on traditional Japanese instruments.
Stop by the lively Sakata Seafood Market and neighboring SAKATANTO, a local exchange center featuring restaurants, shops, event spaces and more. Dine on seafood fresh from the Sea of Japan, or pick another local specialty to enjoy.
Feel as if you have stepped back in time to the Edo period as you take in the atmosphere at Kamezaki, a historical ryotei restaurant in the Sakata area. While you dine on a kaiseki course meal featuring fresh local ingredients, enjoy a performance by the Sakata maiko (apprentice geisha). Or visit the Maiko Teahouse, Somaro, to watch a dance performance and explore the historical building and museum.
For those with interest in the spiritual culture of Japan, we will arrange a visit to Kaikoji Temple, a local Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect, best known for being the home of two sokushinbutsu “living Buddha” (ascetic monks who practiced austerity for the salvation of others to the point of death and mummification).
Visit Sanno Club, a former high-class restaurant built in the late 1800s which was in operation for over 100 years. Now transformed into a tourism center featuring information and displays on Sakata’s history, traditional culture, and crafts, Sanno Club exhibits brilliant displays of kasafuku ornaments–small objects made from brightly colored fabrics sewn together into familiar and charming plush shapes such as small animals, flowers, and vegetables–hung in long strands from bright red umbrellas in its upper room. Participate yourself in this local tradition by making a kasafuku ornament in a design of your choosing under the instruction of a friendly local.
Try a Sea to Table experience, heading out to sea with local fishermen to fish off the coast of Sakata. Prepare your catch into a delicious, fresh meal with local chefs. Sakata
