Sakata Seafood and Hiyoriyama Park: Food Culture of the Port Town Where Kitamae Ships Flourished

Sakata History and Food

Sakata, Yamagata, is a port town that flourished as a Kitamae trading hub between Osaka and Hokkaido in the Edo period, so prosperous it was called the Sakai of the east. Historic buildings and rich seafood from the Sea of Japan give the town the charm of a merchant port at the height of its fortunes.

The History and Prosperity of Sakata

Opening as a port at the mouth of the Mogami River, Sakata thrived on Kitamae trade that carried rice, safflower, and other goods across the country. Wealthy merchants amassed fortunes and culture flourished. Traces remain in merchant houses, restaurant architecture, and former mansions, and visitors can tour sites such as the former main residence of the Honma family, said to have been the largest landowner in Japan during the Edo period.

The Sankyo Storehouse

The iconic sight of Sakata is the Sankyo storehouse, a rice warehouse complex built in 1893. Rows of white-walled earthen storehouses stand behind a promenade of zelkova trees that provide shade and a windbreak. This scene, beloved as a symbol of Sakata, is also known as a filming location for the NHK morning drama Oshin. Devices such as a double roof to prevent damp make it a valuable group of buildings full of the wisdom of earlier generations.

Hiyoriyama Park and Local Seafood

Hiyoriyama Park sits on a rise that once watched over departing ships. It holds a wooden hexagonal lighthouse from the Meiji era and a reconstructed Kitamae cargo ship, and is popular as a spot to watch the sun set over the Sea of Japan. Near the park stands the former Kobata restaurant building, used as a filming location for the film Departures. At Sakata port, visitors can enjoy fresh Sea of Japan seafood such as winter cod and rock oysters.

Getting There

• Nearest station: JR Sakata Station on the Uetsu Main Line, connecting toward Shinjo and Tsuruoka
• Local transport: The city loop bus reaches the Sankyo storehouse and Hiyoriyama Park from Sakata Station
• Sankyo storehouse: About 8 minutes by loop bus from Sakata Station, or about 5 minutes by car
• By car: About 10 minutes from Sakata IC on the Yamagata Expressway into the town center
• Airport: Shonai Airport is nearby, allowing trips combined with Tsuruoka and the Three Mountains of Dewa

Practical Travel Notes

• Best Season: For seafood, winter cod in winter and rock oysters in summer are highlights; the zelkova promenade is loveliest in fresh green and autumn, and sunsets are popular year-round
• Best Time of Day: See the Sankyo storehouse and stroll the town by day, and watch the sunset from Hiyoriyama Park in the evening
• Time Needed: Half a day to a full day touring the storehouse, Hiyoriyama Park, and the Honma former residence
• Nearby Real Spots: Combine the Sankyo storehouse, Hiyoriyama Park, and the Honma former residence with Tsuruoka and the Three Mountains of Dewa in the Shonai region
• Budget: Walking around the Sankyo storehouse is free; budget for museum and mansion admissions and seafood meals
• Food: Beyond port-town seafood, seasonal local dishes such as winter cod soup are worth trying

Tips

Sakata is a port town rich in the history and culture brought by the Kitamae ships and in Sea of Japan seafood. The zelkova promenade at the Sankyo storehouse is especially beautiful in fresh green and autumn, and Hiyoriyama Park is a favorite for sunsets. Fans of the film Departures will find the former Kobata restaurant near Hiyoriyama Park as an associated site. For seafood, aim for winter when cod is in season or summer for rock oysters, and take your time exploring alongside Tsuruoka and the Three Mountains of Dewa in the Shonai region.

📚 Sources

This article draws on the sightseeing guidance published by Sakata City and its tourism and product association, materials on the history of Hiyoriyama Park and the Kitamaebune trading port town, and the explanatory boards at the historic buildings. Opening hours and fees of each facility and the operation of restaurants may change, so please confirm the latest details through Sakata City before visiting. Please also check in advance the exhibition information related to the history praised as Sakai in the west and Sakata in the east.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About half a day to a full day touring Hiyoriyama Park, the historic buildings, and the port town
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes for walking and clothing suited to the season
• Timing tips: Start at Hiyoriyama Park and tour the historic buildings tied to the Kitamaebune ships
• Highlights: The history of the port town that flourished with the Kitamaebune, Hiyoriyama Park, and the seafood of the Sea of Japan
• Note: Check opening hours at the facilities and keep to good manners while walking