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IN PHOTOS: The seven sensations of Sakai City
SAKAI CITY, Japan – Known for its cutting edge knives and Shimano bicycle parts, Sakai City is home to over 800,000 residents and is located in the Osaka prefecture.
It houses one of the largest and most important seaports in Japan and is the fourteenth most populous city in the whole nation.
Although considered a province, Sakai maintains a balance between keeping the traditions of its country while keeping up with modern times.
In my recent trip to Japan to cover the Sakai-ASEAN week 2014, I was fortunate enough to visit Sakai City and experience some of its wonderful offerings.
1. Green tea
Thick matcha green tea served in a bowl.
Green tea is big business in Sakai as it is the place of origin of Sen no Rikyu, who is among the most popular Japanese tea ceremony masters.
The tea ceremony is widely practiced in various parts of Sakai, including in restaurants, tea houses, and school clubs where the Japanese youth keep the tradition of tea alive.
Colorful wagashi comes in different shapes and sizes that portray the seasons.
The traditional Japanese confection is made from different kinds of beans and usually displays vibrant colors that reflect the seasons.
Wagashi can be enjoyed in four variants: raw, baked, cooked, and steamed. It has a sweet taste, making it an excellent partner for green tea.
To create wagashi, it undergoes a special process that gives it a clay-like texture, allowing wagashi makers to expertly mold them into various shapes with their bare hands.
3. Bikes
Countless rows of bikes can be easily spotted in areas frequented by Sakai's residents.
Sakai is a bike city that promotes an easy and efficient way of getting around town. Almost every corner in Sakai has at least one bike parked since it is used by most residents to go to nearby places.
Around half of the bikes you will see in Japan are mostly made in Sakai, which has an estimated 1 million bikes—even though its population is just over 800,000.
4. Tram train
Hankai Tramway Co. Ltd. Manager Toshinari Mukaiyama stands in salute in front of a tram train.
With 38 trains running at 40 kilometers per hour in 41 stations, the Hankai Tramway is a great means to travel to and from Sakai City.
Its first ride is open to the public from 5:15 a.m. and its last trip is at 11:53 p.m. sharp.
The best thing about it? The fare is only ¥200 regardless of which station you choose to disembark from.
5. Silver Jinzai Center
An elderly member of the Silver Jinzai Center does gardening work at the Daisen Park in Sakai City.
Sakai City's Silver Jinzai Center, founded in 1981, boasts the largest number of members in the whole nation, numbering over 6,500 individuals.
These centers accept senior citizens aged 60 and up and assigns them daily jobs so they can continue contributing to the community.
There are 1,300 centers nationwide, with a total of 700,000 members strong.
The Nintoku Tumulus boasts 464,124 square meters or 115 acres of lush forests.
During the fifth century, the Japanese created the Nintoku Tumulus in Sakai to serve as a tomb for their sixteenth emperor.
There are a total of 44 special tombs in Sakai City including that of three other emperors but the Nintoku Tumulus is without a doubt the largest tomb in Japan.
Today, Emperor Nintoku lays in eternal rest protected by a triple moat. No one is allowed to enter the Nintoku Tumulus including the current emperor himself due to its sacredness.
READ: Beautifully macabre: Remarkable burial grounds around the globe
READ: Beautifully macabre: Remarkable burial grounds around the globe
7. Yamaguchi residence
The author enjoying the cold autumn breeze while sitting on the porch of the garden of the Yamaguchi residence at Sakai City, Japan.
The Yamaguchi residence which dates back from the early Edo period has been in existence for more than 400 years and has survived various tragedies brought about by both man and nature.
It is currently being maintained as a tourist spot which shares the rich history of Sakai City. — VC, GMA News
The media tour for the 2014 Sakai-ASEAN Week from October 7 to 13, 2014 was organized by its Executive Committee and sponsored by the city government of Sakai in cooperation with several private groups.
The media tour for the 2014 Sakai-ASEAN Week from October 7 to 13, 2014 was organized by its Executive Committee and sponsored by the city government of Sakai in cooperation with several private groups.
