Major city · Japan
Sakata酒田
Give Sakata one night, two if you add Tsuruoka: the Sankyo storehouses, Somaro and the fish port fill a day on foot.
Sakata is a small Sea of Japan port at the mouth of the Mogami River, third city of Yamagata prefecture. It grew rich on the Edo-period safflower trade with Kyoto and Osaka, and the old merchant villas, storehouses and a maiko house survive in a compact centre you can walk in a morning. Most travellers reach it on the JR Uetsu line between Niigata and Akita, or by shuttle from Shonai Airport. It pairs naturally with Tsuruoka, 24 km south.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (heavy snow, sea-effect), mid-Aug (heat and Obon crowds)
- Airport
- SYO
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sakata110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 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 Sakata, 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
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime small city; the real risks are winter snow and ice on pavements, sparse rural buses, and cash-only counters.
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 (JNTO, 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.
- AirportSYO Shonai Airport (Shuttle bus to Sakata station, about 30 min, ¥740 (≈ US$5); four daily flights from Tokyo Haneda).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: station to Sankyo Storehouse about 20 min, then Hiyoshicho and Somaro another 15 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a kissaten¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealRamen (wonton ramen is the local order)¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9)
- Beerdraught in an izakaya / can at a konbini¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Domon Ken ¥430, Sakata City Museum of Art ¥540)¥430–540 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · 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
- SYO Shonai Airport (Shuttle bus to Sakata station, about 30 min, ¥740; four daily flights from Tokyo Haneda)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jan (22 rain days), driest May (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sakata: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
22 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
19 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
22 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
The centre is walkable: station to Sankyo Storehouse about 20 min, then Hiyoshicho and Somaro another 15 min. Rentacycles at the Tourist Information Center in Sakata Station cover the museum cluster at Iimoriyama. Local buses are sparse; taxis are the fallback for the port and the art museums.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tsuruoka
goDoor to door: About 40 min
JR Uetsu line, about 25–35 min, or Route 7 by car
Dewa Sanzan trailhead, Chido Museum and the Shonai seaside; the natural second night.
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
JR Uetsu line to Shinjo, then the Rikuu line or a bus; or the expressway by car
Doable but long; better as a separate stop than a return day.
Yonezawa
skipDoor to door: 3 h+
JR Uetsu line to Niigata or Shinjo, then the Yamagata Shinkansen
Too far for a day; keep it for a Yonezawa overnight.
Onogawa Onsen
overnightDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Local bus or car from Tsuruoka
A small hot-spring valley; sleep there rather than day-trip.
Shirabu Onsen
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car or bus via Tsuruoka, then mountain road
Snow country in winter; check road access.
Okura
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car or bus into the mountains east of Tsuruoka
Village and mountain scenery; a car makes it work.
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.
Sakata Station area
Business hotels, bus and rail links, 15–20 min walk to the Sankyo Storehouse; best with bags.
Hiyoshicho and the old centre
Walk to Somaro, Kaiko-ji and the merchant streets; few beds, so book early.
Sakata Port and the waterfront
Fish market mornings and seafood restaurants; a taxi ride from the station.
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
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–17,000 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
- High
- ¥17,000 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business-hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥13,000 | ¥13,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥12,000 | ¥24,000 |
| Shonai Airport shuttle, both ways2 × ¥1,480 | ¥2,960 |
| Rentacycle, one day2 × ¥1,000 | ¥2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,700 |
| Trip total≈ ¥25,830 per person per day, bed included | ¥51,660≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a kissaten | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Ramen (wonton ramen is the local order) | ¥800–1,200 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Sushi or kaisendon at the port | ¥1,500–3,500 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Museum entry (Domon Ken ¥430, Sakata City Museum of Art ¥540) | ¥430–540 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Somaro maiko performance and entry | ¥700 (≈ US$5) |
| Beer: draught in an izakaya / can at a konbini | ¥500–750 (≈ US$4–6) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter brings heavy snow and closed roads; check train status before travelling the Uetsu line.
- Many museums close on Mondays and over New Year; confirm hours the day before.
- Rural buses run a few times a day only: check the last return before you set out.
- Small restaurants and the fish market may be cash-only.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Sakata酒田
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
No embassies in Sakata; the US consulate-general is in Sapporo and embassies are in Tokyo. Most travellers handle visas before arrival — see Japan visa and entry requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shonai Airport → Sakata Station, shuttle bus: ¥740 (≈ US$5), about 30 min
- JR Uetsu line Sakata → Tsuruoka: about ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4), 25–35 min (check)
- Taxi Sakata Station → Sankyo Storehouse: about ¥1,000–1,400 (≈ US$7–10) (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)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Cash is still useful at the fish market and small restaurants.
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 Sakata. 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–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (heavy snow, sea-effect), mid-Aug (heat and Obon crowds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SYO: shuttle times, last bus, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station, Sankyo Storehouse, Hiyoshicho and Somaro, Iimoriyama museums.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Sankyo Storehouse, Somaro, Domon Ken, Honma Art Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSakata official multilingual guide
- officialShonai Kotsu (highway and local buses)
- officialDomon Ken Photography Museum
- officialHonma Art Museum
- officialSakata City Museum of Art
- officialSomaro
- secondaryWikivoyage: Sakata, revision 5305117 (CC BY-SA 4.0)