View over Sakata’s traditional homes with a river, green fields and mountains in the background.

Sakata, Japan

Cruises to Sakata

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Things to do in Sakata

Sakata, located in Yamagata Prefecture along the Sea of Japan, is a historic port city that flourished during the Edo period as a major hub for rice trading, and today retains its old-world charm through well-preserved merchant warehouses, traditional sake breweries, historic temples and the Sankyo Soko Storehouses. Surrounded by scenic natural beauty, including Mount Chōkai and the Mogami River, Sakata is also known for its rich cultural heritage and delicious rice grown in the fertile Shonai Plain.

Explore things to do in Sakata
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  • Row of dark wooden storehouses beside a stone walkway shaded by leafy green trees in Sakata, Japan

    Dive into Sakata’s rice history at the Sankyo Rice Storehouse where you can see how rice has been farmed on its rich, fertile plains for hundreds of years. 

  • Glowing jellyfish in pink, blue, green and purple hues floating in a dark aquarium tank.

    See the world’s largest collection of jellyfish on display at the Kamo Aquarium — where moon jellies dance and are well taken care of. 

  • Traditional Japanese building with tiled roofs surrounded by manicured garden shrubs and a small pond.

    Stroll through beautiful traditional Japanese gardens and see samurai armor and art all at the Honma Museum.

  • Bright red torii gate and wooden shrine entrance nestled among tall pine trees in Sakata, Japan.

    Don’t miss the nearby mountains where you can find historic temples and shrines — including one that will bring you good luck and one that’s the oldest of its kind in Japan.

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Shore excursions to explore Sakata

Sakata is a city with agricultural roots, modern aquariums and historic spiritual buildings. Princess will help you make sure you see the best of Sakata and to step into its rich history.

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  • Tall wooden pagoda surrounded by towering cedar trees and lush green forest on Mt. Haguro.

    Mt.Haguro and Zenpo-Ji Temple

    Looking for a little extra luck? Then you’ll love this excursion into the spiritual history of Japan! First, you’ll visit a five-story pagoda sitting at the base of Mt. Haguro. This pagoda is one of the oldest wooden towers in the world and the oldest pagoda of its kind in Japan. Legend has it that some of the ashes of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, are entombed beneath this tower.  Then you’ll go to Sanjin Gosaiden, a shrine for the three sacred mountain deities. Offering up a 5 yen coin is supposed to bring you luck! 

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  • Close-up of traditional Japanese samurai armor featuring a horned helmet, dark mask and blue lacing.

    Highlights of Sakata

    Dive into all things Sakata during this in-depth tour of two of the best museums in the area. You’ll start your day at the Honma Museum, which sits inside an 1813 mansion built by the Honma family and is one of the oldest private museums in Japan. Don’t miss the historical samurai armor, the sprawling Japanese gardens out back or the stunning views of Mt. Chokai. Then Princess will take you to Ken Domon Museum of Photography, the world's first private photography museum. Ken Domon — a renowned news photographer — donated his collection of 70,000 photos that you can see. 

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  • Red torii gate and small shrine nestled in dense greenery along the edge of the Mogami River.

    Mogami River Cruise and Agricultural History Tour

    Ready to learn about the heart of Sakata? That’s right, this excursion teaches you all about two of the most important things in Sakata: farming and the river. Start by learning about farming techniques at the Shinjo Local History Museum  and at the Sankyo Rice Storehouse where you can see historic rice storehouses from 1893. You’ll also get to soak in the natural beauty of Sakata while taking a boat down the Mogami-River from Furukuchi-port to Kusanagi-port. Picture this: lush, green forests, the notes of a sailor’s song hanging in the air and a peaceful blue river spread out around you. Sounds like the perfect vacation! 

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  • White jellyfish with flowing tentacles illuminated against a dark tank at Kamo Aquarium.

    Kamo Aquarium and Sakata City Highlights

    If you love marine life — especially jellyfish — then this is the excursion for you. The Kamo Aquarium is home to the largest collection of jellyfish on display in the world, and you can stand in the Jellyfish Dream Theater and soak in the beauty of 10,000 moon jellies in one place. The aquarium also has fun seal shows that kids in particular will love. Then head back outside to Hiyoriyama Park where you can see the oldest stone compass and oldest wooden lighthouse in Japan. 

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Experience the Sakata port on your next cruise

From one of the oldest wooden towers in the world to the largest collection of moon jellies, Sakata has a little something from everyone. When you visit on your Japan cruise, you’ll get to see the highlights: museums, rice storehouses, an aquarium and sacred, beautiful temples and shrines in the surrounding mountains. And Sakata is only the beginning of what you can experience on your Japan adventure with Princess! 

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14-Day Grand Japan with Fall Foliage

Roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

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11-Day Circle Japan Spring Flowers

Roundtrip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

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28-Day Circle Japan Fall Foliage & Southeast Asia

Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan to Singapore

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Discover the rich history of  Sakata with Princess Cruises

See samurai armor, a pagoda with the remains of the historic Buddha, a mountainous shrine dedicated to three gods and the historic rice farms that make Sakata the historical landmark it is. When you visit with Princess, we’ll help you step back in time and learn as much as possible about Japanese history and culture in a place that’s stood since the 700s. 

Cruises to Sakata
Traditional wooden shrine with a tiled roof set in a grassy courtyard surrounded by pine trees.

Step into Sakata’s storied past at this timeless shrine framed by tall pines and tradition.

A scenic waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in golden and green hues, framed by tree branches against a clear sky.

A majestic waterfall flows through a forest dressed in fall colors, creating a perfect harmony between flowing water and seasonal foliage.

Ships sailing to Sakata

Picture this: eating fresh, hand rolled sushi before strolling across an Italian-style piazza and catching a never-before-seen musical. That’s what you get when you sail to Sakata with Princess. 

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Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess®

This luxurious ship is a vacation destination of its own. You can dine on award-winning food from the best chefs on the sea, including Japanese cuisine or even Italian pasta. This ship also includes a top-tier theatre with shows on regularly and a Vegas-style casino where you can try your luck at Blackjack. 

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Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess®

Sapphire Princess® brings the spirit of discovery and indulgence to life with regionally inspired dining, captivating entertainment and relaxing spaces between adventures. Enjoy a treatment at the Lotus Spa®, savor chef-curated meals or unwind with cocktails under the stars. When Sakata is on the horizon, Sapphire Princess is a destination in its own right.

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Let Princess get you there with travel, airfare & hotels

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  • Princess EZair

    Princess EZAir® Flights

    Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time, and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair® flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airline, allow you to book early and pay later with no penalty, and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Princess EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages. Please note: Princess EZair® is only available in certain markets.

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    Airplane to Ship Transfer

    Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

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  • Cruise Plus hotel packages

    Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

    Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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Cruise deals and promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you can win prizes.

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