City Services & Notices

A shuttle bus is operating between major sightseeing spots in Sakai City. You can easily explore the World Heritage Site area, home to a gas balloon offering panoramic views of the Mozu Mounded Tombs, the Old Moat area featuring Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, and the Sakai Bay area, where the scenic Old Sakai Port is known for its beautiful sunsets.
Operating days: Weekends and public holidays until March 28th, 2027. Service is suspended during the New Year holiday period (January 1st ~ 3rd). For more information, click here.
Bus stops:
1. Sakai Old Port, Porto Mare (Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai, drop-off area)
2. Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko (west-side road)
3. Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center
(Temporary bus stop located across the road from the center)

Those aged 40-74 years old who are covered by the National Health Insurance are eligible for a free specific health check-up once a year. We are providing this check-up for early detection of lifestyle-related diseases so let’s be proactive. Those who are eligible have been sent a check-up card/ticket enclosed in an envelope like the image. Please apply directly at a medical institution written in the enclosed guide.
You can also find participating medical institutions through this website (Japanese).

Application for childcare services for next fiscal year (April 2027 onward) are being accepted until October 16th, 17:30 at the Child-raising Support Division counter at each ward office (closed weekends and public holidays). Online applications are open until October 16th, 23:59. Information on usage and application forms are available at the Child-raising Support Division at each ward office. To use the childcare service, it is necessary for the guardian(s) to have met certain conditions regarding employment, pregnancy, nursing care, around the time of childbirth, illness/disease or disabilities.

Applications are being accepted for use beginning in April 2027. Application forms can be submitted via the Sakai City e-application system from November 2nd 0:00 ~ November 30th, 23:59. You can also submit the form in person to the After-School Children Support Division, from November 2nd ~ 30th 9:00-17:30, excluding weekends and public holidays or mail it (must arrive by deadline). 　
The user guide including forms will be available from October 23rd until November 30th at Nobinobi Rooms, Sakaikko Clubs and Hokago Rooms, as well as the City Hall Administrative Information Center and Ward Office Administrative Information Corners.

October is the third payment period for the Municipal Inhabitant Tax, Prefectural Inhabitant Tax and Forest Environment Tax. The deadline is November 2nd. Please make your payment by the deadline at your nearest financial institution, convenience store, etc. Payment can also be made using Pay-easy, mobile payment methods, and credit cards via the local tax payment site (eLTAX). Click here for the English user’s guide on the website (eLTAX). For those using automatic withdrawal, the third payment for Municipal Inhabitant Tax, Prefectural Inhabitant Tax and Forest Environment Tax will be withdrawn on November 2nd so make sure you have sufficient funds.

Sakai City will grant a scholarship of 120,000 yen per year to those who have difficulty attending university etc. due to financial hardship. Through a screening, we will prioritize students with higher grades. (Quota: 120 people).
Eligibility is based on those who meet all the conditions below:

• Students who are consecutively receiving the grant-type scholarship from Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) (from 1st to 3rd division) from the April to September portions FY2026.
• The student in question or their primary income earner must have a registered address in the city for a continuous period from April 30th, 2026 to the date of application.
• From a 5 level, 0-4 scale, grades are an average of 3.0 or higher. First-year university students will be judged on their first to last year of high school grades, second-year university students and above will be judged on their first-year university grades up until the date of application.

Application period: October 1st ~ 31st

For more information, click here.