Events
Update：2026/5/28
- Sakai Grand Evening Fish Market
- West Japan Businesspeople Sumo Championship Tournament
- Hydrangeas at Sambo
- Traditional Townhouse Museums Tanabata decorations
- Mihara History Museum ‘Mobile Aquarium of River Creatures’
- SAKAI Marche - Asian Pao Festival
- Sakai Pools
City-Affiliated Events
For events at city-affiliated facilities, here are a few highlights from the Museum & Facilities page:
- 'Make Tea in a Tea Ceremony Room' event at Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko
- 'A Life with Mucha' exhibition at Sakai Alphonse Mucha Museum
- 'Living Things Exhibition' at Sakai City Musueum
Sakai Grand Evening Fish Market
Date: July 31st (Fri)
Location: Ohama Park
Nearest station/access: Sakai station (Nankai line)
Believed to have begun during the Kamakura period and have an impressive history of about 700 years, this event is a seasonal summer tradition of Sakai. It is said to have originated when fishermen from various regions gathered on the bay of Sakai in conjunction with the purification ritual at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine to pray for abundant catches and safety. The main attraction is the exciting fish auction scheduled for the evening. Also, there will be fireworks, night stalls and industry PR booths etc. For detailed times and more information, visit the website (Japanese only).
West Japan Businesspeople Sumo Championship Tournament
Last year, around 42 teams of corporations in West Japan with over 150 participants competed in team and/or individual events to win! Admission is free, and no reservation required.
Date/time: June 28th (Sun) from 9:00
Location: Sumo Stadium, Ohama Park
Hydrangeas at Sambo
Date/time: June 4th (Thu) to June 7th (Sun), 10:00 to 16:00 (until 17:00 on weekends)
Location: Sambo Water Recycle Center
Access: Get off at Matsuya Yamatogawa-dori bus stop (Nankai bus) from Sakaihigashi station (Nankai Koya line), Sakai station (Nankai line), Shichido station (Nankai line) or Ayanocho station (Hankai line)
There are about 1200 hydrangea plants of 100 different varieties grown with recycled water processed at the Sambo Water Recycle Center. There are some rare varieties of hydrangeas too. Free and no reservation required.
Traditional Townhouse Museums Tanabata decorations
Venue: Old Yamaguchi Family Residence, Old Seigakuin Mountain Priest Dojo, Old Gunsmith Workshop and Residence
Date/time: July 1st (Wed) to July 6th (Mon), 10:00-17:00 (last entry until 16:30).
Would you like to join us in decorating the bamboo tree with your wishes written on tanzaku (strips of paper)? You can participate freely so please come by.
For more information about the venue, visit the Traditional Townhouse Museums.
Mihara History Museum ‘Mobile Aquarium of River Creatures’
Touch and explore the creatures living in the Ishikawa River basin of the Yamatogawa River system, including large carp, crabs, turtles, and more! Free of charge. Canceled in case of severe weather.
Date/time: July 26th (Sun), 13:30-15:30
Venue: Mihara History Museum, the terrace on the Mihara Furusato Park side.
SAKAI Marche - Asian Pao Festival
Experience Asian culture with a special focus on ASEAN!
Enjoy performances by young artists from across Asia, along with food and goods from various countries. Free admission. Canceled in case of severe weather.
Date: June 28th (Sun), 10:00-16:00
Venue: Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko
Click here for more information.
Sakai Pools
Another hot summer has arrived this year. Enjoy yourself to the fullest at the pool! For more details, click here to visit the Sakai City website.
