Sakai Travel Guide, Japan

Sakai is widely regarded as merely a suburb of Osaka, but truth is, this overlooked city has been one of the most important Japanese seaports in history. Sakai has officially become a city only in 2006, but today it is among the top twenty most populous cities in Japan. Sakai has great historical importance thanks to the large number of keyhole shaped burial mounds uncovered in the area. In addition to that, Sakai has the somewhat dubious fame of producing the best cutlery in the country.

Sakai is mainly and industrial city and a rather large port, but it doesn’t have much in terms of tourist attractions except the kofu burial mounds and a few monuments. However, if you decide to spend some time in this city, this Sakai Travel Guide will help you plan your trip.

Sakai Travel Guide - Transport

Technically Sakai is a suburb of Osaka and if you are travelling by plane you have no other option but to land at Kansai International Airport. The airport is one of the largest and busiest in the country, so you won’t have any trouble finding a flight to Osaka from almost anywhere in the world. If you are already in Japan, you can land at Itami Airport. Japan Airlines offers links to several major Japanese cities, such as Tokyo, Fukuoka, Niigata, Kumamoto or Sendai. Both airports are connected to the city through monorail lines.

Sakai is connected to Osaka through six urban railway lines, but you can also get to Sakai directly from the airport. It is a 30 minute train journey from Kansai International Airport. There are also several expressways that link Sakai to many major Japanese cities. The best way of getting around in Sakai is by urban railway. Visiting the city on foot is definitely unfeasible due to its sheer size, so if you want to get from one district to another, just jump on the train or underground tube.

Sakai Travel Guide - Accommodation

Hotel Dai-Ichi, in the southern part of the city, is a reasonably priced hotel that offers quite comfortable and nicely decorated rooms and quality services. The hotel’s restaurant, Kusunoi, serves local specialties, but if you are planning to eat out you can simply hop on a train at the nearby Sakaihigashi train station. Hotel Nankai Sakai, close to Nankai train station, is a good choice even if you are visiting Osaka, as it is only 10 minutes from the city and it is cheaper than most accommodation you can find in Osaka. If you are on a budget, this Sakai Travel Guide recommends Rinkai Hotel Ishizuten, not the top most luxurious hotel in the city, but a good value for money.