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Unforgettable Deep-Dive Sakata Tour (6.5 Hours)

At Sakata Pier

Sixteen Buddha Statues

The Sea of Japan

Boxed Bento(Lunch)

With a Taxi Driver

Somaro Teahouse (With Maiko)

Unforgettable Deep-Dive Sakata Tour (6.5 Hours)

Shore Excursion

Joined 2017

Kuniaki S.

4.89 / 5

(9 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Yamagata

English

6 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Kuniaki S.)

Up to 8 people

On this tour we can dive deep into not only wonderful nature of Sakata, but its rich traditions and cultures as well. First we visit 16 Buddha statues carved into the cliff along the Sea of Japan. Second destination is the Former Aoyama Residence built by Aoyama Tomekichii about 100 yrs ago, who made a tremendous fortune as a fisherman. Third Somaro Teahouse, where we can enjoy maiko dance. Lastly 1,200-year-old Kaikoji Temple, which holds two awe-inspiring self-mummified priests from long ago.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

Sakata Pier

- Sakata Pier disembarkation site (the very Exit) It'll be very crowded and a lot of racket. I will be holding a welcome board with your name on so that you can recognize me with much ease.

09:30 AM

Sixteen Buddha Statues

Observe the 16 huge Buddha statues carved into the rocks.

Built by a local priest for the salvation of the fishermen.

Enjoy the contrast between magnificent statues and the rough waves of the Sea of Japan.

10:50 AM

Former Aoyama Residence

Enjoy the inside of the gorgeously built house and the garden.

Constructed 100 yrs ago by Aoyama Tomekichi, who made an incredible fortune as a sardine fisherman in Hokkaido.

He spent his later years here after he retired.

Admission fee: 500 yen (cash only)

Closed on Mondays

Please take off your shoes at the entrance.

12:00 PM

Kamezaki Restaurant (Lunch)

One of the oldest (150 yrs) traditional restaurant in Sakata

Enjoy a typical Japanese cuisine cooked with the local ingredients.

Some alcoholic beverage (beer or sake) is available.

Also observe a beautiful garden over lunch.

Lunch fee: From 3,500 yen

Please take off your shoes at the entrance.

01:00 PM

Somaro Teahouse (Maiko Dance)

Just one minute walk from Kamezaki

Once a time-honored restaurant, now a sightseeing spot open to the public.

Enjoy gorgeous kimono-clad maikos' dance on the tatami room.

Photo taking with maikos is available after the performance.

Have an inside tour of the facility including amazing exhibition works of the late painter, Takeshita Yumeji.

Admission fee: 2,500 yen including maiko dace

Please take off your shoes at the entrance.

02:30 PM

Kaiko-ji Temple

Visit a 1,200-year-old Buddhist temple main hall.

Note: Please take off your shoes before entry.

Photographing allowed.

Observe two must-see living Buddhas, who sacrified their lives, in the storehouse.

The most serene and sacred sanctuary in the precinct.

(No photographing!)

Admission fee: 500 yen (cash only)

Please take off your shoes at the entrance to the main hall.

Ending Point

Sakata Pier (3:30 pm)

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide’sFee, including Pick-up fee and the guide's transportation fee to the meeting point, Sakata Pier

What‘s not included

Transportation fees (Shuttle Bus and Taxi/ Partially): Around 5,000 JPN all told

Admission fees for the facilities: Around 4,000 JPN (per person)

Lunch: Around 3500 JPN (per person)

Tour Important Information

1. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

2. Former Aoyama Residence is closed on Mondays. In that case I have an alternative plan. Instead of Aoyama Residence, we visit Honma Historical Residence, 250-year-old house of the Honma family, one of Japan's richest landowners and merchants back in days. Once used as accommodations for the inspectors sent by Tokugawa Shogunate government, this is the only building that has two different architectual styles: a samurai (warriors) style and a merchant one.

We can enjoy buying some souvenirs at the annex, across the street.

Admission fee for Honma Historical Residence: 900JPN

Please take off your shoes at the entrance.

3. Otherwise you can choose from either Former Aoyama Residence or Honma Historical Residence from scratch. It's all up to you!

On Mondays Former Aoyama Residence is closed. In that case we can visit Honma Historical Residence instead.

Important message from the supplier

I'm available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.

Transportation fee and lunch of you and a guide will be paid by the customer.

If you book me before making inquiries, please note that you may be requested to pay extra guide fee for hotel pickup (about 5,000 yen) depending on the location. So, please ask me first.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2017

Kuniaki S.

4.89 / 5

(9 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kuniaki S.

I've been involved in English education at public junior high school and prefectural board of education for more than 40 years as a teacher, teachers' consultant and a principal.Now retired, I’m very interested in introducing many places of historical interest and scenic beauty in my hometown to international visitors to Japan.My motto in life is ”once-in-a-lifetime encounter”. I'm more than happy to help make your trip the most impressive one.

Why don't you get off the beaten track and visit Shinjo and Mogami regions? Shinjo City is now world-famous for its Shinjo Festival, registered by UNESCO as an Intangible World Cultural Heritage, December in 2016. I’m sure that you can definitely enjoy both the festival and the subtle harmony between man and nature in this area.

Reviews

Ann C.

5 / 5

Jan 27, 2026

Ann's Spiritual Visit to her Ancestral Homeland, Oishida

Jan 27, 2026

Yamagata

6 hours 30 mins

Customized

“Family Heritage Tour”

Our guide Kuniaki S was exemplary in connecting us with lost relatives, helping us track down historical documents, and locating our ancestral burial site and temple, all the while teaching us about local customs and stories. He created a tour that was transformative for our family. I still marvel at how he made this happen as it is not the usual kind of tour, and think it is because he has a deep ethic to make a visitor’s wishes come true. And to that end, he persists, overcoming hurdles and challenges and thinking creatively to ensure a memorable and tailored experience. He is also fun and energetic, delighting in storytelling and easy to talk with. Our family feels blessed to have found Kuniaki S, and indeed, we hope to be guided by him again. Ann Curry

Kuniaki S.

Thank you so much indeed for writing me such a fantastic review! What's so special about this tour is that it was a literally unique "family heritage tour" dedicated to you and your folks, which is far from an ordinary sightseeing one. To achieve this aim, we repeatedly discuss the schedule to create the best itinerary ever. Based on your information, I got in touch with , or even visited the relatives, temple, local facilities, and the municipal offices to smooth the path. Thanks to your great cooperation, it all bore fruit. Now I'm more than happy that you all are satisfied with this tour. I do hope to see you all again on your next trip to Oishida. Wishing this tour will hold a special place in your treasure box of memories. Kuniaki S (Guide Name: Pure Water)

Julieta V.

5 / 5

Apr 14, 2025

Hands-on Exciting and Exploring Tour in Sakata (6.5 Hours)

Apr 14, 2025

Yamagata

6 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful Tour of Sakata”

Our guide Pure Water gave us an excellent experience around Sakata, taking us to multiple interesting sites including the Oranda Senbei Factory, Sankyo Rice Storehouses, Kaikouji Temple, and Somaro. He gave lots of interesting historical and cultural context while inviting us to interact and participate, treated us to a delicious lunch featuring iconic foods of the Shonai region, and secured front row seats for us to watch an incredible maiko dance and performance.

Kuniaki S.

Thank you so much for writing a review for me while you are still enjoying a journey on the Diamond Princess. I'm genuinely glad that you all had the time of your life taking a full-day tour in Sakata area with me. Your family members are always amiable and considerate of each other throughout our trip, which did make a deep impression on me! I simly can't say thank you enough for choosing me as your private tour guide this time. When our paths cross again in the future, why don't we delve more deeply into the Shonai region and make another round of fantastic tour with me? I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you all again. Have a lot of fun reading my translated folk tales. Safe travels back to the States! Kuniaki (AKA: Pure Water)

Robert O.

5 / 5

Apr 8, 2025

Hands-on Exciting and Exploring Tour in Sakata (6.5 Hours)

Apr 8, 2025

Yamagata

6 hours 30 mins

“Great tour with Kuniaki S.”

We had a wonderful Sakata day visit with Kuniaki. After meeting at the port, we reviewed the itinerary and started our tour. The timetable was very well managed. We had sufficient time at each itinerary stop. Kuniaki shared interesting information at each location. He selected a terrific restaurant for lunch and we enjoyed exchanging personal background and travel experiences.

Kuniaki S.

A huge thank you for writing a review for me. I'm genuinely happy that you both had the time of your life through our customized tour. From our conversation I learned that we are just about the same age and that we have a lot in common. I simply can't say thank you enough for choosing me as your private tour guide. While you have time, why don't you enjoy reading "Once Upon a Time in Shinjo", which my fellow English teachers including me translated. I'm sure you will have a fun time. Please treasure the rest of your fabulous tour. I do hope that our paths will cross again in the very near future. Safe travels! Kuniaki ( AKA: Pure Water)