landmark
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of the world's largest public aquariums in Osaka featuring a massive Pacific Ocean tank with whale sharks.
9 km · about 15 min drive
AsiaJapanOsaka
Sakai
Osaka, Japan · Asia
About Sakai
Sakai works well as a base: 15 minutes from Matsubara, 13km from Osaka Castle.
Sakai is in Osaka, Japan, with about 830,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Matsubara, about 8 km away.
Sakai (堺市, Sakai-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [saꜜ.kai, sa.kaꜜi.ɕi]) is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the medieval era. Sakai is known for its kofun, keyhole-shaped burial mounds dating from the fifth century. The kofun in SakaiRead more
include the largest grave in the world by area, Daisen Kofun. Once known for swords, Sakai is now famous for the quality of its cutlery. As of 1 January 2022, the city had an estimated population of 819,965, making it the fourteenth most populous city in Japan (excluding Tokyo).
Where to Stay in Sakai
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Sakai.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Sakai.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Sakai?
Within an hour or so of Sakai: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (9 km), Universal Studios Japan (10 km), Dotonbori (10 km), Jiyuken (10 km).
Are there any good drives near Sakai?
The nearest famous roads are Philosopher's Path and Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail.
Where is Sakai?
Sakai is in Osaka, Japan, about 8 km from Matsubara.
Road trip
Drive to Sakai
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Sakai. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 826,161
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Japan
- Region
- Osaka
- Timezone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Coordinates
- 34.5822, 135.4665
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for JapanTags
Worth the detour from Sakai
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Universal Studios Japan
Osaka's blockbuster theme park featuring world-class rides, the Wizarding World, and Super Nintendo World.
10 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Dotonbori
Osaka's dazzling neon-lit entertainment and street food district along the Dotonbori canal, famed for its giant animated signs.
10 km · about 20 min drive
restaurant
Jiyuken
An Osaka institution open since 1910, serving meishi curry with the rice already mixed through the sauce and a raw egg on top, to be stirred in with Worcestershire sauce.
10 km · about 20 min drive
castle
Osaka Castle
A Japanese castle that played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century, set among sprawling urban parklands.
13 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Nara Deer Park
A vast public park home to over a thousand free-roaming sacred deer that bow for crackers from delighted visitors.
36 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Todai-ji Temple
Home to the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, housed within one of the largest wooden buildings ever constructed.
36 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
World's longest suspension bridge spanning 3,911 metres across the Akashi Strait between Kobe and Awaji Island.
41 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Sakai
- 45 kmMount YoshinoJapan's most famous cherry blossom viewing spot with over 30,000 trees covering an entire mountainside in waves of pink each spring.
- 57 kmPhilosopher's PathA peaceful stone-paved canal path lined with hundreds of cherry trees, connecting major temples in Kyoto's eastern hills.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Sakai.
Plan a trip around Sakai
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Sakai.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.