Sakai: Ageless Gem of Japan

Sakai: Ageless Gem of Japan

By MARBEE SHING GO

June 12, 2011, 11:19am

Sakai (Photo by Nowell Cuanang)

 “Perhaps time’s definition of coal is the diamond.”  ­­— Kahlil Gibran

MANILA, Philippines -- Sakai, one of the oldest and fastest-growing cities of Japan, might be said to have much in common with gems, its age and constant refinement making it more fascinating over the years.

Known for being one of the most successful countries in the world, Japan maintains its hidden treasures in the same way that a jewel craftsman might, often looking to improve upon the smallest of flaws.

Unknown to many, Sakai is the fastest expanding territory in Japan, as it includes most of the southern and eastern Osaka and Nara prefectures. Even with this frenetic pace of development, however, the area keeps much of its history intact. Rich in Japanese culture and heritage, Sakai has grown into a dominant position, becoming one of the Japanese government’s elected cities in April 2006 and making it well-known as the country’s fastest-rising industrial city.

During ancient times, Sakai has been burnt and destroyed at least three times but it has always managed to rise again and prosper. Despite such misfortunes, it is known to be one of the first trading ports between China and the South East Asian countries, beginning a relationship of trade with countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

On your first few days in Sakai, you get the feeling that you’re walking on the same streets that the samurais used to walk in, until you see people dressed like Power Rangers reminding you not to litter (a program organized by the government last year to help keep the streets clean). Salarymen in suits ride bicycles to work, women walk around in their kimonos, museums are devoted to the history of knives, and convenience stores offer strange flavors of chocolate wafers (wasabi and roasted corn come to mind). It’s precisely this curious mix of formality and strangeness that makes Sakai what it is — a place that can be as bold or as quiet as you wish it to be.

Going around

In Sakai, the main means of transportation are bicycles. People dressed in coats and ties go to their offices on bikes and some hotels have different bicycles that can be rented out to guests for only 300 yen per day. Most buildings have parking spaces for bicycles and some intersections even have elevators made for cyclists and the elderly to cross the road with ease. Sakai still offers its visitors the chance to experience ancient Japanese culture with a modern twist and there are quite a few places you can visit to enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere.

A few things about Sakai

1. Sakai is known to be the home of the tea master, Takeno Joo, who perfected the art of tea that soon became not only a type of drink for the Japanese, but also a tradition and a means of relaxation (Zen). You can experience a traditional tea ceremony at the teahouse just beside the Sakai City museum.

2. Cosplay! It’s fun to dress up in Japan’s traditional outfit, the kimono. Women, men, and children often wear kimonos during formal occasions. You’ll find that kimono designs have gone modern; you can clearly see the influence of Western countries.

3. Sakai’s flag is a combination of three Japanese characters for “city,” representing how Sakai sits on the border of three ancient kingdoms: Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi.

4. Sakai produces one of Japan’s favorite ingredients: seaweeds! It is also their main source of income.

5. Cruising in Sakai: In the 1500s, residents of Sakai built a man-made river with a canal to protect Sakai from invasion. Since the city is known to be one of Japan’s trading ports connecting to other cities, it was easily invaded by foreign elements during the ancient days of Sakai. Now they offer a river tour where you can go fishing and sightseeing. (1,000 yen per 30 minute tour, port near the Nankai line station and Righa Royal Hotel, Ebisujima-Cho Sakai, Osaka)

How to get there:  Take the JR Hanwa Line and get off at Mozu Station.

Address: Daisen-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City