Sakaiminato (Matsue)

Sakaiminato is a fishing port on Japan's western coast, facing the Sea of Japan. The town is known for two things: fresh crab and the manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, who grew up here. Mizuki Road, the main street from the station, is lined with over 170 bronze statues of yōkai, the supernatural creatures from his GeGeGe no Kitarō series. The Mizuki Shigeru Museum at the end of the road has original artwork and recreated scenes. The local seafood is excellent. Matsuba crab is the winter speciality, and bluefin tuna appears year-round. The fish market near the port sells fresh catches and prepared dishes. A short bus or taxi ride reaches Matsue, the prefectural capital, with its original Edo-period castle and the Lafcadio Hearn Memorial Museum. Sakaiminato is small and walkable. The port area has souvenir shops selling yōkai-themed goods, from keychains to steamed buns shaped like characters.