Japan is famous for its incredible mythology which is often featured in anime, manga, and video games. International fans have most likely watched works that feature “yokai”, or Japanese supernatural creatures, such as the kitsune, tanuki, and tengu.
Of the many manga authors that write about yokai, the legendary Mr. Mizuki Shigeru has entertained fans worldwide for many decades with his whimsical writings in the series GeGeGe no Kitarō.
Let us explore Mr. Mizuki’s hometown of Sakaiminato and see all the locations dedicated to Kitarō fans!
The Mizuki Shigeru Road
Mr. Mizuki hails from Tottori prefecture, which is now a premiere location for lovers of his works. The Mizuki Shigeru Road is one of the highlights for such fans, especially at night. The street lamps light up, and suddenly the road is filled with Mr. Mizuki’s mischievous yokai, all parading across town. It is truly an incredible sight to see and experience!
Alongside the road are hundreds of statues depicting the different yokai that appeared in Mr. Mizuki’s manga. The sheer amount really showcases the imagination of the manga author! A youkai pond is very serene at night, and the different statues of creatures surrounding it really lend to the atmosphere.
Fans can also enjoy an array of limited merchandise from local stores, all decorated from top to bottom with Kitarō merchandise, old and new. The series has always had a huge following, and has in recent years attracted new fans following the release of the 2023 movie Birth of Kitarō: The Mystery of GeGeGe.
There is also a youkai shrine, which is of course Kitarō-themed! You can purchase "Ema" and write a wish. Ema are small wooden plaques where one can write a wish and hang it on a shrine.
At the end of the road, a statue depicting Mr. Mizuki and his wife in the author’s iconic style stand across from Kitarō, a warm dedication to the man who entertained many generations.
If you are lucky, maybe you will meet Kitarō himself!
Access Information Mizuki Shigeru Road Address: Taishomachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0004, Japan Opening Hours: 24 Hours (Shops vary in timings) Website: https://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/road/ |
The Mizuki Shigeru Museum
At the end of the Mizuki Shigeru Road is a museum dedicated to the artist. Journey inside to find out more about the author’s background, explore original artworks, and engage with interactive exhibits that bring the world of Kitarō to life.
One would be surprised to find out that the man behind Kitarō comes from a very turbulent background. Exploring the museum gives you insight on Japanese history that extends beyond the pages of the manga. In a way, going through the exhibit really
At the end of the exhibit, visitors can match up the numbers on their tickets to quotes from different manga written by Mr. Mizuki. Let’s see what the legendary author has to tell us!
The space before the exit is dedicated to the new 2023 movie. Artworks from the staff and dioramas of the film’s key moments proved to be very popular among visitors. We heard that the museum was recently renewed, so perhaps these additions came along to mark a new generation of Kitarō fans worldwide.
The museum shop sells a lot of limited edition merchandise spanning the many generations of Kitarō, old and new, so make sure to grab some souvenirs before heading home!
I personally recommend the Kitarō coin. For a small fee, you can type a message and today’s date as a memorabilia (I typed in my name!).
Access Information Mizuki Shigeru Museum Address: 5 Honmachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0025, Japan Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM Website: https://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/ |
GeGeGe Yokai Rakuen
Not far from the museum is a small park with many life-sized dioramas of various yokai. There you can also participate in playing traditional Japanese games. A lot of the visitors wore Kitarō-themed attire bought locally, which really added to the festive atmosphere.
At the center of the park is another gift shop and cafe. The cafe sells a lot of Kitarō-themed food. When picking a drink, for example, you get to choose your favorite character. For me, I chose a chocolate drink featuring Mizuki from the 2023 Kitarō movie.
Access Information Youkai Rakuen Address: 138 Sakaemachi, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 6 PM Website: https://www.yokairakuen.jp/ |
The Giant Kitarō
Not many know of this spot, but there is one more Kitarō statue in Mr. Mizuki’s hometown. As we drove up to this Kitarō, closer-and-closer the sheer magnitude of his size astounded us all!
On a much smaller scale, the mischievous character “Nezumi Otoko” (Rat-man) was right under this big Kitarō. According to the engraving, Nezumi Otoko stood at 1.70 m (about 5’7”), which really puts into scale just how large Kitarō is in comparison!
The local market next to the statues sells a variety of Kitarō goods in addition to local seafood, so it is a perfect stop to pick up some last minute souvenirs after leaving the Mizuki Shigure Road.
Access Information Tairyo Ichiba Nakaura Address: 209 Takenouchidanchi, Sakaiminato, Tottori 684-0046, Japan Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Website: https://www.e-tairyo.com/ |
Hot Springs!
The Dormy Inn hotel series are famous for its relaxing hot springs. Conveniently located right beside the Mizuki Shigure Road, soak in the warm water to relax after a long day of exploring.
The rooms are all designed with a traditional Japanese aesthetic and overlook the streets, where you can catch a glimpse of the yokai lights playing around. A comfortable yukata is provided in the room, and the baths stay open quite late, making it a perfect getaway.
For breakfast, the hotel offers a buffet of both traditional Japanese food and Western-style breakfast, so make sure to wake up early and enjoy the hotel’s delicious meal.
Access Information Onyado Nono Sakaiminato Address: 684-0004 Tottori, Sakaiminato, Taishomachi, 216 Opening Hours: 24 Hours Website: https://dormy-hotels.com/dormyinn/hotels/nono_sakaiminato |
Sushi in a Coastal Town
Sushi fans, rejoice! Sakaiminato is a coastal town proud of its fishing industry. Rotating sushi restaurants are extremely popular in Japan. You can order sushi to your heart’s content using a tablet on the table.
Rotating sushi restaurants are of course a common sight in Tokyo and other big Japanese cities, and their popularity has extended overseas. However, what makes Sakaiminato’s sushi unique is its freshness. You can see the ocean closeby, reassuring you that all you order is freshly made. The atmosphere is also extremely relaxed and more local compared to sushi restaurants in the cities, so it is a whole new experience.
We may have eaten more than our fill…
Access Information HATONOVA Sankomaru Sakaiminato Address: 33 Aioi Town, Sakaiminato City, Tottori Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM Website: https://www.sankousuisan.com/ |
Closing Thoughts
Mr. Mizuki has entertained many fans worldwide with his creative stories. Fans of all ages continue to enjoy Kitarō’s adventures to this day, and many make their way to Mr. Mizuki’s hometown to become a part of that fantastical world. Welcome to the world of yokai!
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