Osaka Day Guides
by Trip To Japan
How to Spend a Day Exploring Sumiyoshi Taisha and Sakai Town
Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan’s oldest shrines with beautiful bridges and peaceful grounds. Nearby Sakai Town is full of history, tea culture, parks, and traditional crafts. This guide will help you enjoy a full day of exploring these lesser-known but amazing places in Osaka.
Let’s explore the perfect way to spend your day in Sumiyoshi and Sakai!
Take a Train to Sumiyoshi Taisha Station
From Namba Station, take the Nankai Main Line toward Wakayama.
Get off at Sumiyoshitaisha Station (about 10 minutes).
Train Tip: Use an IC card like ICOCA or Suica for easy travel. Trains come often, so you don’t need a reservation.
Explore Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening Hours: Around 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sumiyoshi Taisha is over 1,800 years old and very important in the Japanese Shinto religion. It’s calm and beautiful, even on busy days.
What to See and Do:
✔ Cross the Sorihashi Bridge, a large red curved bridge. It’s great for photos.
✔ Visit the main shrine buildings, built in a special style not found anywhere else.
✔ Make a wish or say a prayer at the shrines.
✔ Walk around the peaceful gardens and small ponds.
✔ Look for stone lanterns and guardian lion-dog statues (komainu).
Take a Tram to Sakai City
Walk 3 minutes to Sumiyoshitorii-mae Station (Hankai Tramway).
Take the Hankai Line tram (a cute old-fashioned streetcar).
Get off at Sakai Station (Hankai Line) – about 20 minutes.
Tram Tip: Sit by the window to enjoy the view of the local neighborhoods.
Visit Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko
Entrance Fee: ¥300
Walking Distance: 5 minutes from Sakai Station (Hankai Line)
This museum honors Sen no Rikyu, the master of the Japanese tea ceremony, and poet Yosano Akiko.
What to See:
✔ Learn about Sen no Rikyu, the master of Japanese tea ceremony.
✔ See a traditional tea room inside the museum.
✔ Learn about Yosano Akiko, a famous female poet from Sakai.
✔ Look at old photos, books, and tea utensils.
Visit the Ruins of Sakai Castle and Traditional Town Area
Walking Distance: 10 minutes from the museum
Sakai Castle no longer has its tower, but the stone walls and grounds remain. Nearby is the traditional district with quiet streets and old-style houses.
What to See:
✔ Walk through the old samurai street (Kitahatagocho).
✔ Visit Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum – free entry, small, and full of cool tools and knives.
✔ Watch a cutlery demo if available (some days show how knives are made).
Have Lunch in Sakai
Here are three food options nearby for different dietary preferences:
General Food Options:
Kappo Takase – Traditional Japanese lunch sets with tempura and seasonal fish.
Sakai Uoichi – Fresh seafood bowls and grilled fish meals.
Ramen Nagomi – Light soy-based ramen, very popular with locals.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options:
Café IROHA – Serves macrobiotic dishes and vegetable curry.
Matsuba-an – A soba restaurant with vegetable-based dipping broth.
Marui Café – Offers pasta and pizza with cheese and vegetable toppings.
Vegan-Friendly Options:
Aju Café (can return here if still nearby) – Plant-based lunch plates and desserts.
Kokopelli Café – Vegan-friendly curry and smoothies (check daily menu).
Sakai Natural Kitchen – Local vegan bento boxes and miso soup.
Visit Daisen Park and Daisen Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku)
Travel Time: 10 minutes by bus or 15 minutes by bicycle rental from Sakai Station
This area is famous for the massive keyhole-shaped burial mound, one of the world’s largest tombs.
What to Do:
✔ Walk through Daisen Park, full of flowers, ponds, and quiet walking trails.
✔ Visit the Sakai City Museum (optional) to learn more about the Kofun era.
✔ See the Daisen Kofun Viewpoint for a look at the tomb from above.
Take a Break at a Traditional Tea House
Sakai is very famous for tea. It’s the hometown of tea master Sen no Rikyu. Enjoy real matcha here.
Chasen-an – Peaceful place to try matcha and Japanese sweets.
Saryo Sakai-an – Tea served in traditional rooms with garden views.
Organic Chaya (Vegan-Friendly) – Matcha, plant-based sweets, and a peaceful vibe.
Explore Sakai’s Cutlery Street
Sakai is known for high-quality knives and cutlery.
What to Do:
✔ Visit Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum (free entry).
✔ Watch a short knife-making demo (if available).
✔ Shop for traditional crafts, knives, and handmade souvenirs.
Enjoy Dinner Before Heading Back
Choose your dinner based on your taste and diet:
General Dinner Options:
Unagiya Hirokawa – Famous for grilled eel.
Izakaya Fuku – Serves small plates and local sake.
Torikatsu Sakai – Chicken katsu set meals and donburi.
Vegetarian Dinner Options:
Yayoiken Sakai – Has vegetable teishoku (set meals).
Vege Café Makana – Offers healthy, veggie-centered dishes.
Ootoya – Chain restaurant with salads, tofu dishes, and customizable sets.
Vegan Dinner Options:
Kokopelli Café (also open for dinner).
Veggie Kitchen Hoya Hoya – 100% vegan, with burgers, curry, and soy-based meat dishes.
Organic Chaya – Vegan-friendly rice bowls and soups.
Return to Your Hotel
After dinner, take the train or tram back to central Osaka (Namba or Umeda) to rest.
Train Back Info:
From Sakai Station (Nankai Line) to Namba – About 10–15 minutes.
- Explore Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine2-chōme-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, 558-0045, Japan
- Visit Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and AkikoJapan, 〒590-0958 Osaka, Sakai, Sakai Ward, Shukuinchōnishi, 2-chōme−1−１ さかい利晶の杜 2階
- Visit the Ruins of Sakai Castle and Traditional Town AreaJapan, 〒758-0057 Yamaguchi, Hagi, Horiuchi, １区８５−１
- Visit Daisen Park and Daisen Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku)1-chōme-4-3 Higashiuenoshibachō, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0802, Japan
