Major city · Japan
Sakai坂井市
Half-day stop for Maruoka Castle and Tōjinbō cliffs, or a full day if you add the tower and a seafood lunch. One night only if you want a quiet base for Eiheiji and the coast.
Sakai is a coastal city in Fukui Prefecture, formed in 2006 from the towns of Harue, Maruoka and Mikuni. Its two draws are Maruoka Castle, the oldest surviving castle keep in Japan, and Tōjinbō, a dramatic cliff formation on the Sea of Japan. Most travellers pass through on the way to Eiheiji or Kanazawa.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May (cherry blossoms), Oct–Nov (mild weather)
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, rough sea)
- Airports
- KMQ · NGO
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sakai110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sakai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetySakai is a quiet, low-crime area.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckKMQ Komatsu Airport (About 40 min by taxi or bus + train via Kaga Onsen station; check).
- Getting aroundLocal buses connect Maruoka, Mikuni and Tōjinbō, but services are infrequent.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (local)¥200–500 (≈ US$2–4)
- Museum or sight ticketMaruoka Castle entrycheck¥450 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedRyokan or hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedRyokan or hotel double room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥6,000 (≈ US$45) · Mid ¥12,000 (≈ US$85) · High ¥22,000 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMQ Komatsu Airport (About 40 min by taxi or bus + train via Kaga Onsen station; check) · NGO Chubu Centrair (About 2.5 h by train via Nagoya and Fukui)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest May (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sakai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
18 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
15 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses connect Maruoka, Mikuni and Tōjinbō, but services are infrequent. A rental car is the most practical option for seeing both sights in a day. Taxis are available from Fukui station (about 30 min to Maruoka).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Eiheiji
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus from Fukui station or taxi from Sakai, about 30 min
Combine with Sakai for a full day; Eiheiji temple is a serene Zen complex.
Door to door: About 30 min
Train from Mikuni station or bus, about 25 min
Fukui has the Dinosaur Museum and a castle ruin; good for a half-day add-on.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Fukui to Katsuyama, about 1 h
Home to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum; plan a full day.
Kanazawa
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
JR Hokuriku Line from Fukui station, about 1 h
Kenroku-en garden and samurai district; a popular day trip from Fukui.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mikuni Onsen area
Ryokan and hotels near the coast; best for a relaxing night with sea views.
Maruoka town centre
A few minshuku and guesthouses near the castle; quieter and cheaper.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥6,000–9,000 (≈ US$45–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥10,000–16,000 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan or hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥15,000 | ¥15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| Bus from Fukui station to Maruoka Castle (one way)2 × ¥600 · check | ¥1,200 |
| Taxi from Fukui station to Tōjinbō (one way)1 × ¥4,000 · check | ¥4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,420 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,310 per person per day, bed included | ¥48,620≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Maruoka Castle entrycheck | ¥450 (≈ US$4) |
| Tōjinbō Tower entrycheck | ¥500 (≈ US$4) |
| Seafood lunch at Mikuni | ¥1,500–3,000 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Coffee at a café | ¥400–600 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus ride (local) | ¥200–500 (≈ US$2–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tōjinbō cliffs have no guardrails near the edge; stay on the paths.
- Maruoka Castle keep has steep, narrow stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
- Bus schedules are sparse on weekends and holidays; check the timetable in advance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Sakai坂井市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US consulate in Osaka handles Fukui; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fukui station → Maruoka Castle, bus: about ¥600 (≈ US$5), 30 min (check)
- Fukui station → Tōjinbō, taxi: about ¥4,000 (≈ US$30), 25 min
- Mikuni station → Fukui station, train: about ¥300 (≈ US$3), 20 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- バス停はどこですか？ — Where is the bus stop? (basutei wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sakai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May (cherry blossoms), Oct–Nov (mild weather) · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, rough sea) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Maruoka Castle and Tōjinbō with verified opening hours and entry fees.
- Eat pages for Mikuni seafood restaurants with last-order times.
- Bus timetable fixtures for the Maruoka–Mikuni–Tōjinbō loop.
Sources
Ask about Sakai
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