In Photos: Fukui’s Sakai City Museum
Local Mikuni Port was once among the most prosperous in Japan.
Cover photo: Posing in the main “Sea Route” lobby of Sakai City Museum, Sakai, Fukui Prefecture, Japan (2025).
Mikuni
Home to the famous Tojinbo Cliffs and lively Mikuni Festival, Mikuni is one of my favorite areas in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture. On my latest visit, I stopped by the Sakai City Museum (Ryusho Museum). It’s the best place to learn about the history of Mikuni Minato (“Port”), which once thrived along the 17th century kitamae-bune trade route connecting Hokkaido to Osaka.
Sakai City Museum
Opened in 2023 in anticipation of the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension (now connecting Fukui to Tokyo), the Sakai City Museum explores the region’s archaeology, Mikuni Port, Mikuni Festival, Maruoka Castle, and local crafts.
The museum is modeled after Ryusho Elementary School, a lost pseudo-Western building featured on kaika-e (“enlightenment pictures”). The nostalgic façade makes for an iconic landmark.
From the 17th to 19th centuries, Mikuni Port was so prosperous that it became an early adopter of Western technology. It was the first port in Japan to introduce Dutch water management techniques.
The town’s arc jetty was completed in 1882, designed by civil engineers George Arnold Escher (Essel) — the father of artist M. C. Escher — and Johannis de Rijke. The jetty still stands today!
The museum also plays homage to M. C. Escher with optical illusions and a dreamy observatory painted in clouds. It’s a lovely spot to watch the sunset.
Although the museum is new, English guidance is minimal. Fortunately, free Wi-Fi is available. Using the Google Translate app made it easy to read exhibit labels and explanations.
I especially enjoyed viewing local crafts, which include wood carvings, bamboo sculptures, textiles, and other wonders. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit!
Sakai City Museum Access
The museum is open everyday except Wednesday, from 9:00 to 17:00 (5:00 PM), with last entry at 16:30 (4:30 PM). Tickets are 400 yen (approx. 3 USD) per person. It’s a one-hour journey from Fukui Station by Echizen Railway (Echi-Tetsu). Please note the museum is closed over New Year’s holidays, from December 29th to January 3rd.
I recommend visiting Mikuni in May for the lively Mikuni Festival or November for the start of Echizen crab season! It’s also a nice spot for swimming in summer (July/August). Nearby attractions include seaside Tojinbo Cliffs, Maruoka Castle, and Awara Onsen, a top-ranked hot springs town.
Fukui Reporter Disclaimer
As part of the Fukui Reporter program, I am tasked with participating in local events and publicly promoting the prefecture. This is a volunteer position that allows me free entrance to a selection of museums throughout the area, including the Sakai City Museum. The opinions I share are my own.
