Key points of Sakaiminato
- The cruise ship will dock at the Sakaiminato International Passenger Terminal, which opened in 2020. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Mount Daisen (known as "Hoki Fuji") and Miho Bay.
- The famous Mizuki Shigeru Road (featuring 178 bronze statues of yokai) starts in front of JR Sakaiminato Station and is about a 15-minute drive from the terminal. Yonago Kitaro Airport is also about a 10-minute drive away.
- The number of port calls is increasing, and 2026 is expected to see a record high. It will also serve as a gateway to tourism in the San'in region, including Matsue and Mihonoseki in Shimane Prefecture.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)
What kind of port is Sakaiminato?
Sakaiminato is a port located at the entrance to Lake Nakaumi and Miho Bay, spanning Sakaiminato City in Tottori Prefecture and Shimane Prefecture. Managed by the Sakaiminato Port Management Association, which is comprised of both Tottori and Shimane prefectures, it serves as a key port on the Sea of Japan side (selected in 2011), supporting logistics, fisheries, and tourism. It is also one of Japan's leading fishing towns, known for its landings of red snow crab and tuna.
In 2025, cruise ships are expected to call at Sakaiminato 47 times, carrying approximately 51,000 passengers (an increase of 16 calls and approximately 22,000 passengers from the previous year). In 2026, there are more than 60 bookings, which is expected to surpass the previous record of 61 calls in 2017. In November 2025, the Spectrum of the Seas (approximately 169,000 tons), one of the largest cruise ships to ever call at Sakaiminato, made its first port call.
History of Sakaiminato
| Year | event |
|---|---|
| Edo period | As a port of call on the western sea route that traveled across the Sea of Japan, it prospered from the shipment of cotton and iron. |
| 1896 (Meiji 29) | The port opened in October. It is the second port to open within the jurisdiction of Kobe Customs, after Kobe Port, and will establish regular shipping routes to the continent. |
| 1951 | Designated as an important port |
| 1958 | The Sakaiminato Port Management Association has been established by Tottori and Shimane prefectures. |
| 1993 | Mizuki Shigeru Road was created, and the area became a tourist destination known as the "Town of Yokai (Monsters)." |
| 2011 | Selected as a key port on the Sea of Japan side |
| 2020 | The passenger ship terminal "Sakai Yumeminato Terminal" began operations (no ships called at the port this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic). |
| 2025 | Port calls recovered to 47 and passenger numbers to approximately 51,000. |
Access to Sakai Yumeminato Terminal
| facility | Sakai Yumeminato Terminal (International Passenger Terminal) CIQ (Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine) facilities, waiting hall, observation deck |
|---|---|
| address | 252-2 Takeuchi-danchi, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture |
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Closed Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays. Open on days when cruise ships are in port.) |
| JR Sakaiminato Station (Mizuki Shigeru Road) | Approximately 15 minutes by car |
| Yonago Kitaro Airport | Approximately 10 minutes by car |
| Nearest station | Approximately 30 minutes on foot from Takamatsucho Station on the JR Sakai Line. |
| Shuttle bus | On port days, shuttle buses (which may be subject to a fee) may be operated by the cruise company or local authorities. Please check the onboard information for destinations and fares. |
| parking | Free parking available for approximately 290 cars (roads around the port become congested on days when cruise ships are docked). |
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
These are the facilities at Sakai Yumeminato Terminal (based on information confirmed from official sources).
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Normally closed on Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays) |
|---|---|
| Wifi | Free Wi-Fi is available. |
| locker | There are lockers available where you can leave your luggage. |
| bicycle | Folding bicycles are available for rent (1,500 yen per day). |
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
Terminal facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and time of year. (Date confirmed: September 29, 2026 Source:Sakai Yumeminato Terminal "Facility Introduction"）
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
If a shuttle bus is operating (destination varies depending on the ship), you can go to Sakaiminato Station (in the case of Princess Cruises). You can find nearby supermarkets and drugstores on the map below. For information on disembarkation procedures, duty-free shopping, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
Around the terminal (1-2 hours)
- Observation deck: You can enjoy close-up views of Mt. Daisen, Miho Bay, and docked cruise ships.
- Yumeminato TowerThis 43-meter-tall tower is located in Yumeminato Park. You can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the observation deck on the top floor.
Walking around Sakaiminato town (half day)
- Mizuki Shigeru RoadIt's about 800m from JR Sakaiminato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum. 178 bronze statues of yokai (Japanese supernatural creatures) are lined up, and there are also light-up and shadow puppet shows from sunset until 10pm.
- Mizuki Shigeru Memorial MuseumAt the end of the road is the Shigeru Mizuki Memorial Museum, dedicated to the cartoonist.
- Seafood Cuisine: You can enjoy seafood bowls and crab dishes unique to this port town (see below).
A tour of the San'in region (1 day)
- Matsue (Shimane Prefecture):Matsue Castle, a National TreasureA castle town.
- Mihonoseki (Shimane Prefecture): A port town and Mihonoseki Shrine located across from Sakaiminato.
- Tottori Flower Corridor - Mt. Daisen area: Seasonal flowers and the scenery of Mt. Daisen, also known as "Hoki Fuji".
Because public transportation is limited in the San'in region, boat tours and sightseeing taxis are convenient for day trips.
Port town cuisine
- Red snow crab: A representative delicacy of Sakaiminato. There are restaurants that serve crab dishes and crab soup.
- Seafood rice bowls and sushi: Seafood rice bowls made with fresh local fish and tuna are popular.
- Yokai Goods & Local Sweets: Along Mizuki Shigeru Road, you'll find shops selling sweets and souvenirs themed around yokai (Japanese supernatural creatures).
You can post reviews of places you've actually visited by clicking "Write a review" at the bottom of this page.
Port town gourmet guide:Red snow crab from Sakaiminato(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
These are seafood restaurants around Sakaiminato. Clicking on a restaurant on the map will allow you to check its opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether the restaurant is open on the day of the port call.
Cruise ship viewing and photography spots
Here are some places in Sakaiminato where you can see cruise ships (based on official information).
| Sakai Yumeminato Terminal | This terminal (opened in 2020) where large cruise ships dock has an observation deck for viewing the passenger ships. Open 9:00-18:00, closed Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays. 252-2 Takeuchi-danchi, Sakaiminato City. |
|---|---|
| Yumeminato Tower Observation Deck | From the observation deck 43 meters above ground, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view. From the north side, you can see large cruise ships docked at the Sakai Yumeminato Terminal up close. Coin-operated telescopes are also available. |
When and which ship will arrive can be found in the section below titled "Passenger ships arriving at this port" orCruise ship arrivals scheduled for this week and next week.You can check this. Arrival and departure times may change due to weather conditions, etc. (Date checked: September 30, 2026 Source:Sakaiminato City Tourism Association: "Let's go for a stroll around the port town"、Sakai Yumeminato Terminal、Yumeminato Tower "Observation Deck"）
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Sun, Oct 4 This weekWesterdamArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Thu, Oct 15Diamond PrincessArr. 07:00 / Dep. 16:30
- Fri, Oct 16Norwegian JadeArr. 07:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Sat, Oct 17Seabourn EncoreArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 18MITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Tue, Oct 20Norwegian JadeArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Mon, Oct 26Spectrum of the SeasArr. 09:00 / Dep. 19:00
- Tue, Oct 27Seabourn EncoreArr. 09:00 / Dep. 18:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- Diamond Princess3 calls
- SH Minerva2 calls
- Spectrum of the Seas2 calls
- National Geographic Resolution2 calls
- Norwegian Jade2 calls
- Seabourn Encore2 calls
- EASTERN VENUS1 call
- MITSUI OCEAN FUJI1 call
- ASUKA II1 call
- Azamara Pursuit1 call
- Westerdam1 call
- MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1Is it possible to walk from the terminal to Mizuki Shigeru Road?
Due to the distance, we recommend using a car, shuttle bus, or taxi. It takes approximately 15 minutes by car to JR Sakaiminato Station (the starting point of the road).
Q2Can I visit the terminal on the day of port call?
The terminal is open to the public, and you can view the cruise ships from the observation deck. There is free parking available (approximately 290 spaces), but please refrain from parking on the street as the surrounding roads become congested on port days.
Q3Where can I check the upcoming port call schedule?
Sakai Yumeminato Terminal's port call schedule pageYou can check it there. For inquiries, please contact Sakaiminato Terminal (TEL 0859-46-0688) or Sakaiminato Port Authority (TEL 0859-42-3705).
Q4Is there a shuttle bus?
On port days, shuttle buses (which may be subject to a fee) may be operated by the cruise company or local authorities. Please check the onboard information for destinations and fares.
Q5Are there Wi-Fi or ATMs available?
The Sakai Yumeminato Terminal offers free Wi-Fi and luggage lockers, and you can also rent folding bicycles (1,500 yen per day). If you need to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas, Seven Bank ATMs (at Seven-Eleven stores, etc.) and Japan Post Bank ATMs are convenient. You can find them on the map in the "Convenient Port Information" section of this page.
Q6Are there any places in Sakaiminato where I can see cruise ships?
You can get a close-up view of large cruise ships at anchor from the observation deck of the Sakai Yumeminato Terminal or from the observation room (43m above ground) of the adjacent Yumeminato Tower.
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Sakai Yumeminato Terminal Official Website(Facilities, access, and port of call schedule)
- Sakaiminato Port Authority "Port Call Record"
- Sakaiminato Trade Promotion Association: "About Sakaiminato"(History of the port)
- Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum "Mizuki Shigeru Road"
- Nihonkai Shimbun: "Last cruise ship of the year arrives at Sakaiminato" (November 27, 2025)
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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