Enjoying SAKAI

Today five historic roads remain in Sakai, which has flourished as a town since ancient times. Walks along these old roads evoke thoughts of the bygone towns and people they once served.

Takenouchi Road(Takenouchi old highway)
Length inside Sakai city limits: 8 kilometers

During ancient times the Takenouchi road developed into a major political, economic, and diplomatic route between Sakai, Nara, and Asuka. Today visitors can recall the white-walled houses and the earthen walls of the road next to Kanaoka Shrine.

Nishi-Koya Kaido Highway
Length inside Sakai city limits: 15 kilometers

Starting in the middle of the Heian period, the Koya pilgrimage spread as a practice from the nobility to samurai and townspeople, and it is said that pilgrims traveled along this road. Along with signposts, Jizo shrines, small shrines, and row after row of old houses, the Sekichaya evokes memories of a bygone era.

Kumano Kaido (Oguri Kaido)
Length inside Sakai city limits (from Yamanokuchibashi Bridge to Otoriminami-machi): 5.6 kilometers

Originally used as a pilgrimage route to Kumano, the Kumano Kaido is marked by two signposts, one at Nanshuji Temple just north of Yamanokuchibashi Bridge and one in Otoriminami-machi.

Kishu Kaido
Length inside Sakai city limits: 5.4 kilometers

The Kishu Kaido flourished as an Edo-period trade route between the domains of Kishu and Senshu. At the eastern end of the route there are many rows of old houses and storefronts, and in the shopping district in Zaimokucho-Higashi can be found old signposts indicating the directions of destinations such as Osaka.

Nagao Kaido
Length inside Sakai city limits: 5.5 kilometers

The Nagao Kaido wasonce known as the Yamato Kaido, a route connecting Nara and Sakai. A small shrine houses a Jizo guardian in front of the Osaka-Izumi-Sennan Highway along with a slone monument with an historical inscription. Another monument in front of Hochigai Shrine is inscribed with a tanka poem from the Manyoshu.

Oshoji Symbol Road

Stretching along a route of 1.5 kilometers from Sakaihigashi's city hall to Sakai Station on the Nankai Line, this road was designed and built to symbolize the history and culture of Sakai.

Electric and telephone lines have been buried in underground conduit, and sidewalks have been widened. Two fountains entitled "The Structure of Harmony I" and "The Structure of Harmony II" contribute to the atmosphere of the road, which is well loved by residents as a community promenade.

Phoenix Boulevard

Chosen as one of Japan's top 100 roads, Phoenix Boulevard was constructed as part of the postwar reconstruction effort and stretches about 2kilometers east to west along the present-day Osakachuokanjo Line. The road is planted with phoenix palm trees.

Daido Avenue

Tracing the route of the old Kishu road, Daido Avenue is an important road running north to south through Sakai, which has flourished since ancient times. Streetcars running along the center of the 50-meter wide avenue provide local color. Some of Sakai's most famous landmarks, including the birthplace of Yosano Akiko, Sen-no-Rikyu's residence, and Xavier Park are located in this area.

Keyaki Avenue

A road beautification plan launched in 1965 included the planting of about 170 Japanese zelkova trees for approximately one kilometer between the prefectural Osakachuokanji Line and the Yamatotakano Line. In 2001 local residents founded the Keyaki Avenue Beautification Association dedicated to making the road more people-friendly, planting flowers, and socializing.