Sakata / Tsuruoka / Shonai

Sakata / Tsuruoka / Shonai

Sakata, a port town which flourished as an embarkation port for rice in the Edo Period, is located adjacent to Shonai Plain, one of the best grain belts in Japan. Its prosperity was remarkable as leading to it being called Sakai (Osaka) in the west and Sakata in the east. There are sightseeing spots such as the museum of the former Honma family residence, who gained riches from Kitamae Cargo Ships; and the Sankyo Warehouse built in the 19th century. Tsuruoka prospered as a castle town of the Shonai Domain and was worth 140,000 koku (1 koku = 150 kg of rice). Many buildings with a long and distinguished history and western-style architecture, designated as cultural assets, are located around Tsuruoka Park. Wandering around the town allows you to see the cityscape where eastern culture fuses with western culture. Dewa Sanzan, comprised of Mt Gas, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Haguro, is located around the Tsuruoka area, attracting a lot of people as a mountain worship area.