🔪✨ Knife Factory and Sakai Takayuki Knife Gallery Tour 🏭🔍 ~ Experience Sakai’s blade culture and the craftsmen’s skill! ~ Held on 2/26 (Thu), 5/28 (Thu), 8/27 (Thu), and 11/26 (Thu)! ✨ A rare public opening of the factory that produces the world-renowned Sakai Takayuki knives! 🛠️✨ 🔹 For an additional option fee of 18,000 yen, add a tour-exclusive Sakai Takayuki ‘‘meat deboning knife’’ souvenir valued at about 30,000 yen! 🔥 🔹 Highlights 🔹 Tour the Sanpo Factory and watch the knife-making process (forging, rough sharpening, etc.) 🏭 🔹 Visit the gallery displaying about 500 knives 🔍 🔹 Try a simple knife sharpening experience! ✨ 🔹 Optional knife ‘‘meat deboning’’ add-on available 🎁 💰 Participation Fees 🔹 Tour only: 4,000 yen 🔹 Tour with the exclusive souvenir knife: 22,000 yen 📌 Registration deadline: up to 3 days before each event date! 🔍 For details and registration, search for "Knife Factory and Sakai Takayuki Knife Gallery Tour with Simple Knife Sharpening Workshop" https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/tourism/detail/183...

Attention moms and dads! 🌸 Why not make spring memories by running the Sakai City Marathon? 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ The event takes place beside the World Heritage Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, in the verdant Daisen Park. 🌳 The popular Family Category is a short 2.5 km course, ideal for those returning to exercise or for little ones making their race debut. ✨ The sense of achievement from “I finished!” becomes a lifelong treasure that boosts your child’s confidence. 🏆 Hold hands with your child and aim for the finish line with your best smiles. 🤝💕 Seeing your child run with all their heart might just move moms and dads to tears… 🥺💖 After the race, enjoy a picnic in the park or stroll through Sakai—both are wonderful. 🍱🍡 This spring, let the whole family aim for a joyful finish line! 🏁✨ We look forward to your entries! 🤗🌈 Check the website for detailed rules and how to enter. 🔍✨ 📅 Date and time: Wednesday, April 29 (national holiday) 📍 Location: Daisen Park, near Nintoku-tenno-ryo-mae — loop course Search “Sakai City Marathon” for more details! 🔗 https://sakaicitymarathon.com//

🐬✨Half-price Admission for Sakai City Residents!✨🐬 One day only: Sunday, February 1, 2026 With thanks for your continued support ＼ Sakai Citizen Appreciation Day ／ celebrates with you🎉 On this day only, residents of Sakai City receive half-price admission! Enjoy thrilling dolphin training sessions and paid hands-on programs suitable for both adults and children✨ It’s a special day the whole family can enjoy💙 We look forward to welcoming you😊 [Eligibility] Residents of Sakai City *Please present proof that confirms your residence in Sakai City. *Discount applies only to the person shown per one form of ID presented. *This offer cannot be combined with other discounts. *The dolphin interaction experience program requires a separate regular fee. [Admission Fees] ◯ Regular admission Adult (junior high school age and older): ¥1,210 Child (age 4 to elementary school): ¥770 ◯ Nighttime (admission from 5:00 PM onward) Adult (junior high school age and older): ¥770 Child (age 4 to elementary school): ¥550 *Free for children age 3 and under all day [Hours] 10:00 AM–8:00 PM (last admission 7:30 PM) 🔍 For details, search “Noah Dolphin Dome”! https://www.dolphindome.jp//

A commemorative ema and goshuin designed by Kobukuro Kuroda-san of "Kugatsu Youka" have been created!✨ Heartwarming news has arrived from "Kugatsu Youka" in East Sakai!👀 ～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Kugatsu Youka in East Sakai has, with the cooperation of the local Hochigai Shrine, prepared special ema and goshuin. As it happens, there is a story from a mother who used to visit Hochigai Shrine when she moved from Harumidai to Makizukadai in third grade, and we once again felt how deeply the shrine is rooted in Sakai. When we consulted with Hochigai Shrine, who share this connection, they said, “We have long known that Kugatsu Youka has been working hard to enliven the streets of Sakai. We are happy to cooperate.” With those warm words, this initiative became a reality. Visitors may write their wishes on the ema and dedicate them on the ema racks set up at Hochigai Shrine and at three locations within the Sakai Higashi Shopping Street. Please come by and receive these special ema and goshuin along with your heartfelt wishes. Details will be announced at Kugatsu Youka’s counter (@kugatsu.youka) and on their social media. Look forward to it. ～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

This is the nighttime view of Kaiyukan Aquarium at Mount Tenpō in Osaka. The winter night breeze chilled the air and sharpened the scenery, making it feel just right.

From Sakai: A refreshing scent of green yuzu fills the air at the “Yuzukaralin Cafe” — A collaboration cafe between SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin — SAKAINOMA cafe and hotel Kuma (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture) will host a special event, Yuzukaralin Cafe, in collaboration with the Kochi Prefecture yuzu-based seasoning brand Yuzukaralin for five days only, from Saturday, January 10 to Wednesday, January 14, 2026. We will offer lunch menus, sweets, and drinks that make the most of the green yuzu’s fragrance, gentle acidity, and the faint spiciness unique to Yuzukaralin. 🔍For more details, search “SAKAINOMA and Yuzukaralin collaboration cafe”! https://sakainoma.jp//

Reusing the Portugal Pavilion ropes! Presenting the artwork "Oceano"✨ The Portuguese artist Vanessa Barragan created the artwork Oceano and is exhibiting it together with the ropes from the Portugal Pavilion. The piece was made in Sakai City starting in late October, and its production process was opened to the public in November. Oceano was crafted in Sakai using ropes from the Portugal Pavilion and expresses the sea that connects Portugal and Japan. It will serve as a legacy of exchange between Portugal and Sakai for the future. ○ The sea that connects Portugal and Sakai Inspired by the Portugal Pavilion, ropes are displayed from the ceiling! Two works produced in Sakai City on display! 🗓️ January 6 (Tue)–January 11 (Sun) ⏰ 10:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) 📍 Higashi Cultural Hall (Hall Building) Gallery 🔍 For details, search "Sakai City Expo Legacy"! https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/bunka/art_kanrenjigyo/expo_legacy/SpecialExhibition_Portugal.html...

✨A new spot for freshly made sweets has arrived🍨 Salon de Franchise, a cake shop with 27 years in business, has opened a specialty salon for freshly made sweets in Naka Ward, Sakai City on November 27🍨✨ Desserts and parfaits finished after you order let you enjoy the sound and aroma of baking and the unique textures of just-made treats—a special experience you can only have here. Each dish will make you want to tell someone, “That was delicious.” This new spot is perfect not only for afternoon tea but also for indulgent days or time spent with someone special. Check the menu below if you’re curious👀✨ 📍Salon de Franchise (@salon_de_franchise) 🕒 Hours: 11:00–19:00 (Last order 18:00) ❌ Closed: Tuesdays (open on public holidays) 🚃 Access: An 8-minute walk from Fukai Station on the Nankai Semboku Line; parking available 🔍 Search for “Salon de Franchise” for more details! 🔗 https://www.franchise1998.com// ―――――――――― Year-end and New Year holiday closure December 23 (Tuesday)–January 6 (Tuesday) ※Normal business resumes on Wednesday, January 7 ――――――――――

🔵Collect official pavilion stamps while touring Sakai!🔴 Official stamps from Osaka–Kansai Expo pavilions related to Sakai are now available! Enjoy exploring Sakai as you gather stamps placed at facilities throughout the city. Daisen Park will also host an event on the same days, so please stop by there as well! 🗓️Saturday, December 20; Sunday, December 21; Wednesday, December 24; Thursday, December 25 *Entry may be limited during busy periods 🔍For more details, search for “Sakai Expo Stamps”! https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/shisei/sonota/banpaku/expo_stamp.html...

✨At Sakai City Tea Room Shin-an, the contemporary artists’ tea utensils used at Sakai’s spring event for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai make an appearance✨ ✨From Saturday, December 20 through Sunday, January 25, 2026, for a limited time, guests who use the tea service at Sakai City Tea Room Shin-an can, if they wish, enjoy matcha served in the contemporary artists’ tea utensils used at Sakai’s spring event for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai✨ (You cannot choose the type of tea utensil, so look forward to a surprise ☺) While reminiscing about Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, savor authentic matcha served in these special tea utensils ☺ Tea service is available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM✨ One serving 500 yen (with dry confectionery) ☺ 🔍For details, search for “Daisen Park Area: Rediscover the Attractions of the Expo” https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/kanko/kohosakaievent/sinan.html...

📣 A program to rediscover the charms of the Expo will be held in the Daisen Park area!✨ At Daisen Park Japanese Garden, we will exhibit works that were displayed or sold at pavilions from 18 countries, including Japan, at the Osaka-Kansai Expo! In addition, contemporary artists’ tea utensils will be used at Sakai City Tea House Shin-an to serve tea in a standing-seated (ryurei) style! 📅 Event period: Saturday, December 20 – Sunday, January 25 🔍 For details, search “Rediscover the Charms of the Expo in the Daisen Park Area”! https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/.../kohosakaievent/sinan.html... https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/kanko/kohosakaievent/sinan.html...

From Wednesday, December 17, receive an original postcard featuring a hot-air balloon and Shin-an at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an. Starting Wednesday, December 17, when you enjoy a tea service at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an, show the Osaka Sakai Balloon reservation QR code or a hot-air balloon ticket receipt and everyone will receive an original “Balloon and Shin-an” postcard. When you visit the Osaka Sakai Balloon hot-air balloon experience, take a relaxing break with a warm bowl of matcha at the Sakai City Tea Room, Shin-an, and pick up a charming postcard. Tea service is available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Enjoy an authentic bowl of matcha for 500 yen per serving (with dry confectionery).

This year, various spots around Sakai City are once again brightened with illuminations✨ This time, we're featuring the illuminations at Sakai Risho-no-Mori! 👀 Don't miss its nighttime appearance♪ 🌟 "Sakai Risho-no-Mori Illuminations" ⛄ 📅 Period: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Monday, February 16, 2026 🎄 Lighting hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📍 Location: In front of the main entrance of Sakai Risho-no-Mori (2-1-1 Shukuincho-nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai) 📞 Contact: Sakai Risho-no-Mori (tel: 072-260-4386)

📢 Kofun Fest HaniCotto (@hanicotto) will feature a Sakai City booth🎉 This Sunday, November 23rd, the Kofun Fest HaniCotto takes place in Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, and Sakai City will have a booth there!✨ It’s a chance to pick up tourist information about Sakai City! We’ve also prepared a photo spot featuring the city’s new “hot air balloon” attraction, which has been in the news recently♪ Be sure to take a commemorative photo! Admission is free, so please come by— we look forward to seeing you!💕 Kofun Fest HaniCotto (@hanicotto) Date and time: Sunday, November 23rd, 10:00–16:00 ※Held rain or shine (canceled only in severe weather such as official warnings) Location: Imashirozuka Kofun, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture (48-8 Gunge-Shinmachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture) 🔍For details, search “Kofun Fest HaniCotto” https://hanicotto.com/category/news/page/3/...

Held in front of Sakai City Hall! SAKAI Sorairo Disaster Prevention Fest — Feel and Learn the Power of Disaster Preparedness ✨SAKAI Sorairo Disaster Prevention Fest✨ A family-friendly disaster preparedness event where parents and children can enjoy hands-on experience in being ready for emergencies will be held in Sakai! 🚒 Vehicle displays from the Fire Department, Police, Japan Self-Defense Forces, and Japan Coast Guard 🎮 "Metaverse Disaster Prevention" where you can learn through games 🎤 A disaster prevention forum with disaster prevention expert Yukiko Okamoto alongside representatives from the Fire Department, Japan Coast Guard, and Ground Self-Defense Force 🍔 Numerous food trucks 🎁 Win prizes in a stamp rally! Children are very welcome 👶 Spend a day with your family enjoying activities while learning disaster preparedness knowledge. 📅 Date and time: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 11:00–16:00 ※Event will proceed in light rain; cancelled in severe weather 📍 Location: Plaza in front of Sakai City Hall, Mina Sakai Free admission! Please share with your friends 😊 🔍 For details, search "Instagram SAKAI Sorairo Fest"

Grand Front Osaka GRAND WISH CHRISTMAS 2025 (Gran Wish Christmas 2025) Event Period November 6, 2025 (Thursday) to December 25, 2025 (Thursday) Event Hours The main Christmas tree lighting show runs on weekdays from 4:00 p.m. to midnight and on weekends and holidays from 3:00 p.m. to midnight The area around Umekita Plaza in front of JR Osaka Station, the Zelkova tree-lined street, and the ginkgo tree-lined avenue will glow in champagne gold with a record-setting approximately 480,000 LED lights. Also not to be missed is the illuminated ginkgo avenue between Grand Green Osaka and Grand Front Osaka, which began in 2024. The illumination is powered by renewable energy sourced in line with RE100, and energy-saving LED bulbs are used to support sustainability. Lights are on daily from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.

A small worshipper I met at Kusubian Kannonji Temple, the 20th site I visited on the Kawachi Saigoku 33-temple pilgrimage.

✨🍂Daisen Park Japanese Garden Special Autumn Evening Opening — Illuminated Autumn Leaves🍂✨ At Sakai City Daisen Park Japanese Garden, we will present a light-up of the garden dressed in autumn leaves.💫 Brilliant red maple leaves reflect on the surface of the garden pond, creating a magical scene.🍁🌠🍁 Event Dates 🔸November ・Saturday, November 15 ・Friday, November 21 to Monday, November 24 (national holiday) ・Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30 🔸December ・Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7 Hours 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (last admission 8:30 PM) 💁For details, please check the URL below. 🔗ttps://www.daisenteien.jp/event/r34omk9-7pf 🔍Search for “Daisen Park Japanese Garden autumn leaves”! https://www.daisenteien.jp/event/r34omk9-7pf...

Made in Sakai Fair 2025 📣 This weekend, on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th… Made in Sakai Fair 2025 will take place✨ It’s a fun event packed with the best of Sakai🙌 You might be able to buy a whole Chinese cabbage for 200 yen⁉️ That popular shop everyone’s talking about in Sakai and beloved sweets will gather in one place!🍴 There will also be cool fire trucks and police vehicles on display😮 Enjoy many hands-on activities like pop-up postcard making and tenugui (hand towel) dyeing!! There are lots of great finds, so please come by 🤗 🎈Made in Sakai Fair 2025 📍Sakai City Industrial Promotion Center Event Hall and other venues 📅 Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 10:00–16:00 (rain or shine) 🚃 Access: 5-minute walk from Nakamozu Station ※ Please use public transportation such as trains or buses to reach the event venue. 🔍 For details, search for “Made in Sakai Fair”! https://madeinsakai.com//

📢 Happening this Sunday: Ebisu-jima Cote Riviere 🇫🇷 🍁 Come relax by the river in Ebisu-jima and enjoy shopping for antique goods, tasting gourmet treats, and listening to live music. 📅 Date and Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 10:00–16:00 📍 Venue: Ebisu-jima DOCK Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Kushiyacho-nishi 1-1 west side, west of Xavier Park, riverside of Uchikawa 🚃 Access: About a 10-minute walk from Nankai Line Sakai Station; about a 5-minute walk from Hankai Line Hanadakuchi Station 🚩 Organizer: sakainoma 🔍 For event details, check @ebisujima.cote.rivi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ebisujima.cote.rivi/?hl=ja...

EXPO'70 Pavilion Expo Commemorative Park (former site of the 1970 Osaka World Expo) 10-10 Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture The exhibition hall of the 70th World Expo in the Expo Commemorative Park. This is an exhibition of works from the 1970 Osaka Expo. The interior of the exhibition, which is based entirely on red, is reminiscent of Taro Okamoto. There were exhibits from around the world that would have been held at the Expo, but the one that stuck with me was one of Taro Okamoto's works of art in the photo. And of course, the Tower of the Sun.

Expo Commemorative Park Rose Garden 1-1 Senri Expo Park, Suita-shi, Osaka Location: Rose Garden of Peace flowering season Mid-May ~ Mid-June, Early October ~ Mid-November Maintenance of the park is filled with many flowers and trees in each season. It is easy to understand because there is a plate with the name. It's very spacious, so you can take your time and take a leisurely stroll.

Expo Commemorative Park Senri Expo Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture At the "Flower Hill" in the Nature Cultural Garden, about 120,000 cosmos trees bloom all over the hill from early to late October every year, including popular varieties of Sensation Mix, pure white Sensation White that shines in the autumn sky, and vivid yellow cosmos.

📢 Sakai Tourism Concierges will take part in Czech Festival 2025! ✨ This year again, the Sakai Tourism Concierges will join the Czech Festival and promote Sakai tourism on stage. They will also carry out PR activities at the Sakai Convention and Tourism Association PR booth. ☺ Please come to the Czech Festival! We look forward to seeing you at the venue. ✨ 🔍 Check the Czech Festival’s social media for event details. 🔍 For more information, search for “Czech Festival 2025”! https://www.facebook.com/KansaiSakaiCzech/?_rdr...

🌳 The 68th Sakai City Greening Festival will be held at Daisen Park 🌳 We are hosting an event at Daisen Park, Sakai’s signature park, to share the importance of greenery. There will be plant sales, booths for children to enjoy, and food trucks on site, too 🍔🥤 Bring a picnic sheet and head to Daisen Park ☺ 📅 Date and time: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 10:00–16:00 📍 Location: Daisen Park, Sakai City — Large Lawn Plaza and other areas 🔍 For details, search for “Sakai City Greening Festival” https://www.sakai-park.or.jp/event/2025/08/68.html...

📢 From October 4th, the gas balloon “Osaka Sakai Balloon” finally began operating at Daisen Park! 🎉 From about 100 meters above, you can see the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun and other nearby burial mounds. ✨ 🔍 For details, search for “Osaka Sakai Balloon”! https://osaka-sakai-balloon.com//

🌰Autumn Flavors Spotlight — Moat Area The season for hearty appetites has finally arrived!🍁🍂 Sakai’s Moat Area is home not only to tourist attractions but also to many shops offering autumn treats made with fluffy chestnuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and seasonal mushrooms like matsutake.🌰🍠 Enjoy the Moat Area’s sightseeing while savoring the peak flavors of autumn♪🌈✨ 🔍For details, search “Sakai Autumn Flavors Spotlight”! https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/feature/detail/96...

💡Registration open for the lecture series “Unpacking the Teppo Blacksmith House through Science”! (A regional collaboration project between Sakai City and Kansai University) 🌈We will hold the lecture series “Unpacking the Teppo Blacksmith House through Science” at Teppo Blacksmith House! Sakai City and Kansai University have conducted joint research on the Teppo Blacksmith House and shared the results widely through regional collaboration projects. In recent years, researchers from various fields beyond history have joined the investigations, conducting multifaceted analyses of the valuable materials preserved at the Teppo Blacksmith House. This lecture series will present those research findings. In addition to history, experts in informatics and metallurgical engineering will explore the rich materials passed down at the Teppo Blacksmith House from multiple angles.✨ 📅Dates: ① Sunday, October 12, 2025 — Finished ② Sunday, November 9, 2025 ③ Saturday, December 6, 2025 ⏰Times: 11:00 and 14:00 — about one hour each session 📍Venue: Teppo Blacksmith House 🕰Opening hours: 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30) 💰Admission: 500 yen https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/bunkazai/bunkazai/oshirase/r7sakai_kandai.html...

The Sakai Station Tourist Information Center offers plenty of Sakai goods that make perfect travel mementos. Alongside classic sweets, you’ll find a lively selection of unique items inspired by the World Heritage kofun burial mounds!🔑 The standout is a collaboration keyholder featuring Hello Kitty and the kofun—available in two limited designs. Both are irresistibly cute, so be sure to grab them both! 🎨 The acrylic figure stand actually doubles as a keyholder in a convenient 2-way design—you can display it or attach it to your bag and take it with you. 📚 You’ll also find stationery useful for work or study, like sticky notes, clips, and masking tape, plus portable glasses cloths and popular magnets! From practical items to collectible pieces, there’s something for everyone.😊 Be sure to pick up your Sakai souvenirs at the Sakai Station Tourist Information Center!

🍁Sunday, November 16 — “Morning Yoga at the Temple” — Now accepting participants! As autumn deepens, why not spend a refreshing morning at Myōhōji Temple🍁☀️ At this seasonal change, when the autonomic nervous system can be unsettled, balance your body with yoga and a gentle rice porridge, and refresh your mind🌿 The deputy head priest will also serve matcha and wagashi as a warm gesture of hospitality🍡 We look forward to your reservation😊🎶 Date: Sunday, November 16 Venue: Myōhōji Temple (4-1-3 Nakanocho Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai) Gathering time: 8:20 AM Fee: ¥5,000 · With rental mat ¥5,100 For details, search “Sakai Morning Yoga”🔍