Historical Sites

The Old Seigakuin Mountain Priest Dojo is located in the northern tip of Sakai's historical zone. The first recorded mention of this building is on the 1689 edition of the historical map of Sakai. At the end of the 19th century, it was used as a temple school ("terakoya") with the name of Seikodo. Kawaguchi Ekai, the first Japanese person to cross the Himalayas, was born in this area and a pupil of the temple school.
Built in the latter half of the 19th century, it was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2022.
Time: 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Closed: Tuesday (however open if a public holiday and closed the next weekday), year end and New Year's period (December 29th~January 3rd)
Admission: 100 yen. Free entrance for junior high school students and under, persons with disabilities and their accompaniment, those who are 65 and over living in Sakai
Access: A 3-minute walk from Takasujinsha station (Hankai Line) and a 5-minute walk from Shichido station (Nankai Line)
*No car parking is available so please use public transport
Address: 1-3-13 Kitahatago-cho-nishi, Sakai-ku

Born in 1522 the oldest son of a wealthy Sakai townsman (in Shukuinnishi) and named Yoshiro, Sen-no-Rikyu began studying the way of the tea ceremony under Kitamuki Dochin at the age of 17. He went on to study under Takeno Jo-oh and pioneered the "wabicha" style of tea. The site of his residence also includes the Tsubaki Well.
Access: Shukuin station (Hankai Tramway)
Address: 1-17-1 Shukuin-cho-Nishi, Sakai-ku

This wooded, hexagonal Western-style lighthouse stands 11.3 meters tall and is located on Old Sakai Harbor's southern seawall. The structure was funded with donations from the citizens of Sakai. Completed in 1877, the lighthouse helped protect ships as they came and went from Sakai Harbor for nearly 100 years. The progressive reclamation of land from the sea forced its closure in 1968. It remains today as one of the symbols of Sakai and has been designated a national historic site in recognition of its status as one of Japan's oldest wooden Western-style lighthouses. (The interior is not open to the general public.)
Access: Sakai station (Nankai Line)
Address: 5-1-22 Ohamakita-machi, Sakai-ku

Placed in front of the Ohama Aquarium for the fifth Domestic Industrial Exhibition held in 1902, the statue was removed when the aquarium was closed and torn down due to the construction of the area's coastal industrial zone following the destruction of the area by the No. 2 Muroto typhoon. The statue was restored as a symbol of peace and prosperity on the occasion of the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the incorporation of Sakai in the year 2000.
Access: Sakai station (Nankai Line)
Address: Kita-hato-tottei, Sakai-ku

Originally built in 1907, this beautiful wooden station building remains standing today. The structure, which brought together many of the colorful design conventions of the Meiji era, was designed by Dr. Tatsuno Kingo, who is also responsible for the red-brick appearance of Tokyo Station. There is a cafe and gallery located inside of the station building.
Access: Hamadera-koen station (Nankai Line)

Built in 1910, this facility was active as a waterworks and service reservoir for about 50 years. It is an architecturally important and valuable structure due to its superb design and craftsmanship, including the use of bricks, a new building material at the time, and the incorporation of a triumphal arch design into the facade.
Access: Sakaihigashi station (Nankai Koya Line)
Address: 3-78 Nakamikunigaoka-cho, Sakai-ku