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Mizuki Shigeru Road

yokaimangaGeGeGe no Kitarostreet artmuseum
Mizuki Shigeru Road — location in Tottori, Sakaiminato

Tottori · Sakaiminato

35.5397°N, 133.2325°E

Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato City is a 800-meter shopping street transformed into a yokai (supernatural creature) wonderland honoring local manga legend Mizuki Shigeru, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro. Over 170 bronze statues of yokai characters line the street — mischievous kappa lurking by drains, one-eyed umbrella spirits (kasa-obake) sheltering under eaves, and the iconic Kitaro himself standing at major intersections. The statues are interactive: touch Medama-Oyaji (Eyeball Father) for good luck, rub Neko-Musume's (Cat Girl's) hand for romance, find all 170 for a completion certificate at the tourist office.

The street comes alive after dark when atmospheric lighting creates shadows and silhouettes, making the yokai presence feel genuinely eerie. Shops sell yokai merchandise, yokai-themed food (eyeball manju sweets, Kitaro ramen), and Mizuki Shigeru's original manga. The Mizuki Shigeru Museum at the street's terminus houses original artwork, his personal collection of global supernatural artifacts, and a recreation of his manga studio.

Essential Information

Opening Hours

Street: Open 24/7 (free) | Shops: Generally 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Closed: Street: Never closed | Museum: No regular closures (check website for irregular dates)

Entrance Fee

Street: Free | Mizuki Shigeru Museum: ¥700 | Yokai stamp booklet: ¥400

Best Season

Year-round | October (annual Yokai Parade festival, usually 3rd weekend) | Evenings for spooky atmosphere

Visit Duration

2-3 hours (full street + museum)

Getting There

Access Information

Sakaiminato City, by train from Yonago Station (JR Sakai Line, ¥330). Street free to explore 24/7. Budget: ¥1,500–3,000 for souvenirs and snacks. Plan 2–3 hours for full experience.

Insider Guide

Premium
**Yokai stamp rally:** Purchase the official yokai stamp booklet (¥400) at the tourist office and collect stamps at locations corresponding to specific yokai statues. Completing all 10 major stamps earns a limited-edition yokai pin (designs change seasonally). The rally transforms casual browsing into an engaging treasure hunt, especially popular with families. **Museum deep dive:** The Mizuki Shigeru Museum's second floor displays Mizuki's personal collection of global supernatural artifacts — Indonesian spirit masks, Polynesian tiki idols, European witchcraft tools — revealing his lifelong obsession with the supernatural across cultures. The basement includes his recreated manga studio with original manuscripts and drawing tools. English audio guides available (¥200). Plan 90 minutes for thorough viewing. **Nighttime atmosphere:** The street's true character emerges after 18:00 when shops close and tourists leave. The yokai statues take on an uncanny presence under street lighting, and the emptiness creates an eerie ambiance that perfectly captures the yokai spirit. Walk the full length after dark for photos without crowds — the streetlights stay on until midnight. **Sakaiminato fish market detour:** Before or after the yokai street, walk 10 minutes to Sakaiminato Fish Market Center (境港水産物直売センター) for the freshest crab in western Japan. Matsuba crab (November–March) and red snow crab (September–May) are sold live, steamed, or as sashimi. The market restaurant serves crab donburi (¥2,500–4,000) with crab caught that morning. **Annual Yokai Festival:** Every October, Sakaiminato hosts the Yokai Parade with locals dressed as characters from Mizuki's manga marching down the street. The festival includes yokai cosplay contests, special yokai food stalls, and evening lantern processions. Check the exact dates annually (usually third weekend of October).

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