15‏/05‏/2012

Gegege no Kitaro

The port town of Sakaiminato dedicated to animation

By Judith Mikami

Community writer

Medama no Oyaji (father of Gegege no Kitaro)

The train from Yonago to Sakaiminato Town

A marble table where Mizuki Shigeru sat to draw his characters.

The local taxi companies love Gegege no Kitaro too.

Along Mizuki Shigeru Road are marble statues of all his characters.

The stamp hunt along Mizuki Shigeru Road.

One of my favorite shops with unique Gegege no Kitaro gifts.

Gegege no Kitaro is a character created by Shigeru Mizuki and can be seen everywhere in the port town of Sakaiminato. In fact this Japanese animation and its creator have made this small port town a major tourist attraction and has keep this small area abuzz with business and industry for the local community. If you visit Sakaiminato Town you can get their on a specially designed local train, or fly into Yonago City airport (now renamed Yonago Kitaro Airport) or sail in on a ship dedicated to the characters. Whichever way you decide to get there you will spend a great time walking up and down Mizuki Shigero Road, join in on the stamp hunt, and eat a huge selection of character inspired sweets.