Sakai City

Osaka
Area Info
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Located south of Osaka, Sakai was once a free city called the "Venice of the East" and is a treasure trove of history, home to the "Nintoku-tenno-ryo," the largest burial mound in Japan. It’s world-famous for "Sakai Uchihamono" (knives), attracting many international cooks seeking authentic sharpness. As the birthplace of Sen no Rikyu, the master of tea, you can deeply experience traditional Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship while touring streets rich in tea culture.

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Kansai Japan ~ Osaka, Sakai, Koyasan ~

Sakai Convention & Tourism Bureau

passing down dedication and craftsmanship to the next era.

Sakai Convention & Tourism Bureau

Sensational Sakai

The KANSAI Guide

3rd Destination 堺 – 日本らしさを、自分らしく味わおう - （Short ver.）

Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Sakai City

Address: 1-1-35 Kaicho Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
Website: https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/
Operator: Sakai Tourism & Convention Bureau

Sakai City Spots List

Sakai利晶之杜
Jikko Cutlery Sakai Main Store
Site of Sen no Rikyu’s Residence
Nanshu-ji Temple
Myokoku-ji Temple
Mozu Hachimangu Shrine
Hochigai Shrine
Itasuke Kofun
Nisanzai Kofun
Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun
Emperor Nintoku’s Mausoleum
Sakai Denshokan
Hanachawan
Teppo Kaji Yashiki (Gunsmith Establishment)
Seigakuin, Sakai City
Sakai City Tea Rooms Obaiian and Shinan
Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group

Osaka

Sakai利晶之杜

A cultural facility tracing the footsteps of two icons born in Sakai: Sen no Rikyu (Tea Ceremony) and Akiko Yosano (Literature). You can experience formal tea service in a real tea room and learn the history and spirit of tea ceremony in an easy-to-understand way. Akiko Yosano's passionate world of poetry also lets you touch the beauty of modern Japanese literature. A high-satisfaction learning spot for travelers wishing to deeply understand Japanese spirituality and creativity beyond just viewing historical materials.

Osaka
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Osaka

Jikko Cutlery Sakai Main Store

A century-old elite brand of Sakai knives. The shop displays diverse knives shining like jewels, their sharpness and beauty fascinating top chefs worldwide. You can receive pro advice to find your perfect match, and customization services like name engraving are popular. A holy land for travelers wishing to experience the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship and bring home a "best tool for a lifetime" as a souvenir.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Site of Sen no Rikyu’s Residence

The former site of the residence where Sen no Rikyu, known as the "Tea Saint" who perfected the tea ceremony, was born. Remains like the Tsubaki Well still exist, allowing you to reflect on Rikyu’s life dedicated to tea. His "Wabi-cha" spirit of extreme simplicity still greatly influences modern design and minimalism, drawing people from all over the world. A special place to deeply experience the origins of Japanese hospitality and spiritual culture.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Nanshu-ji Temple

A representative Zen temple of Sakai where Sen no Rikyu trained and legends related to Tokugawa Ieyasu remain. The dry landscape garden, designated as a National Scenic Spot, is a masterpiece expressing the profundity of nature using only stones and sand, wrapping visitors in a mind-purifying silence. The "Eight-Way Glaring Dragon" painted on the ceiling has a mysterious power, meeting your eyes from any angle. A sanctuary where the spirituality of Zen and the history of tea ceremony densely intersect.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Myokoku-ji Temple

An ancient temple deeply connected to key historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The giant "Great Cycad (Natural Monument)," said to be over 1,100 years old, has a legend that Nobunaga feared its vitality, and it greets visitors with overwhelming life force. It’s also the historical stage of the tragic "Sakai Incident" during the late Edo period, conveying the spirit of Bushido. A profound power spot where Japan’s turbulent history and mystical natural power merge.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Mozu Hachimangu Shrine

Located in the heart of the Mozu area dotted with massive burial mounds, this ancient shrine has a history of over 1,400 years. A massive camphor tree over 800 years old in the precincts exudes divine power. The "Futon Daiko" festival in autumn is extremely dynamic, with the energy of the brave carriers being spectacular. Visiting this place of faith loved by locals between tour of burial mounds allows you to feel Japan's seasons and regional bonds first-hand.

Osaka
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Osaka

Hochigai Shrine

A shrine traditionally visited to ward off bad luck related to directions, collecting deep faith from people praying for safety in moving or traveling. Located at the boundary of the three ancient provinces, it's considered a "Sanctuary without direction," believed to have powerful strength to expel all calamities. The clean, modern shrine and solemn air offer the best starting point for travelers. A place to experience Japan's unique directional faith and pure spiritual culture.

Osaka
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Osaka

Itasuke Kofun

One of the Mozu burial mounds, a beautiful keyhole-shaped tomb surrounded by water. It has a history of being saved from development by citizen movements, symbolizing the pride Sakai's people have in their cultural heritage. Now known as a home to wild raccoon dogs, you can enjoy a calm landscape where history and nature coexist. A popular spot for walking tourists to see an ancient king's tomb suddenly appearing within a residential area, unique to Osaka.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Nisanzai Kofun

Located at the southeastern end of the Mozu cluster, it is the 7th largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in Japan. It features an extremely well-ordered, beautiful shape, with a wide moat and lush greenery reflecting on the water to create a mystical landscape. At dusk, the silhouette of the mound floating on the water becomes a beautiful photo spot, letting you strongly feel ancient romance. Recommended for those wishing to feel the authority of ancient kings and peaceful flow of time in a quiet setting.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Kamiishizu Misanzai Kofun

The 3rd largest burial mound in Japan, with an overwhelming scale. The wide moat holds deep water, and the immense scale can be fully experienced even from the ground. It is said to preserve an early style among the Mozu mounds, and the green-covered mound looks like a sacred mountain. Walking the quiet surrounding paths, you can feel first-hand the greatness of ancient Japan’s civil engineering, comparable to the pyramids. A highlight of the World Heritage site.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Emperor Nintoku’s Mausoleum

One of the world's three largest tombs alongside the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Tomb of the First Qin Emperor. This largest keyhole-shaped mound in Japan is about 486 meters long and surrounded by triple moats, appearing as a sacred forest. The solemn view from the prayer site conveys the history of Japan's imperial family and ancient prestige. After enjoying VR experiences at the nearby Sakai City Museum, seeing the actual site will leave you overwhelmed by its scale and mystery.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Sakai Denshokan

A museum and shop gathering Sakai's world-class traditional crafts like knives (Uchihamono), incense, and bicycles. The sharpness and beauty of Sakai knives, recognized by pro chefs worldwide, are overwhelming, and you can confirm the quality by holding them. Demonstrations of sharpening often take place, allowing you to learn the value of "authentic tools" infused with a craftsman's soul. For travelers interested in Japanese craftsmanship, it's a place to find a lifelong tool.

Osaka
Sightseeing
Activities
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Osaka

Hanachawan

A unique spot near the Shinsekai area where you can experience Japanese traditional crafts and gourmet. Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine served on beautiful hand-painted ceramic dishes, feeling the "beauty of daily life" closely. The time spent admiring crafts gleaming with a master’s touch offers a high-quality, calm moment in contrast to the surrounding lively bustle. A healing hideaway for travelers who love the harmony of Japanese food and tableware.

Osaka
Food
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Osaka

Teppo Kaji Yashiki (Gunsmith Establishment)

A precious relic conveying the history of Sakai, which flourished as a world-leading gun production center from the Warring States to the Edo period. An Edo-period gunsmith’s residence and workshop remain in their original state, allowing you to see the advanced craftsmanship and infrastructure that supported Japan’s samurai society. With displays of matchlock guns and historical documents, it’s a must-visit for history fans and those interested in the "origins of manufacturing" that Sakai is proud of.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Seigakuin, Sakai City

A historic building that once served as a training ground for Shugendo and later a "Terakoya" temple school. It is famous as the place where the explorer Zenkai Kawaguchi studied in his childhood. Along with the structural beauty of a traditional townhouse, you can learn about the education and intellectual life of Japan from the Edo to Meiji periods. In a space where silence flows, it offers a deep experience of Japan’s historic daily life for travelers who enjoy cultural exploration.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Sakai City Tea Rooms Obaiian and Shinan

Prestigious tea houses located within the lush Daisen Park, fitting for Sakai, the city of tea master Sen no Rikyu. "Obeian" is a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, and "Shinan" was designed by a master of modern architecture, both concentrating traditional Japanese aesthetics. At Shinan, you can casually enjoy authentic matcha and seasonal sweets without a reservation. It’s a luxurious place to experience the "Wa" spirit and ultimate silence while gazing at a peaceful garden.

Osaka
Sightseeing
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Osaka

Tsuboichi Seicha Honpo

A long-established tea shop in Sakai with over 170 years of history run by a tea master. The tea room is a renovated traditional townhouse (machiya) hundreds of years old, wrapping visitors in silence as if time has stopped. The matcha or hojicha shaved ice, along with meticulously brewed Japanese tea, are artistic masterpieces that bring out the best aroma and flavor. It is the ultimate relaxation spot for travelers wishing to savor authentic Japanese tea culture with all five senses.

Osaka
Food
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Osaka

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group

A group of massive keyhole-shaped burial mounds spanning Sakai, Habikino, and Fujiidera, registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. Built from the late 4th to late 5th century, these tombs symbolize ancient Japan's high civil engineering and authority. The "Nintoku-tenno-ryo" is one of the world's three largest tombs, alongside the Great Pyramid of Giza. Though the full scale isn't visible from the ground, you can feel the ancient mystery through museums and observation decks.

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