Hankai Tramway run through the city of Sakai along the old Kishu Kaidou Road, and exists as a symbol of the city for almost 100 years. The people who live here call the trains, “Chin Chin Densha (Chin Chin Train)” with love, because of the sound of the bells on the train.
Hankai Railways have 2 lines, and they run along the large streets in the center of Osaka city. It’s a must vehicle to enjoy the sightseeing spots during a slow and relaxing journey.

The god of Sumiyoshi Taisha is believed as a god of safe voyages and Japanese poetry. Sumiyoshi Taisha is known to everybody in Osaka, and is also famous around the country as a spot for “Hatsumoude”, the first pray for the new year.

Sumiyoshi Taisha actually has another charm we must not forget. That is, it is known as one of the best power spots in Osaka. It is famous for the Hattatsu Matsuri Festival, that gives us luck for thriving businesses and well-being of families, “Godairiki (the 5 large powers)”, little stones that give us luck for the 5 powers (physical strengths, intellectual powers, financial powers, fortune powers and longevity ), “Omokaru Ishi” that makes our wishes come true by holding up the stone, are famous here.

Parler means “talk” in French. It seems that the cafés name comes from a wish that the guests talk a lot here.
At Parler café, just in front of Sumiyoshi Taisha, there are cute pandas everywhere. How about spending a relaxing time with delicious deserts while taking a look at the “Chin Chin Densha”?

Gekotei is a famous restaurant known by everyone around Sakai, Osaka. The Japanese traditional cafeteria style matches the atmosphere of the town, and makes us feel nostalgy. Many people, including guests from far areas, come here to have a bite of the great “Ginshari” (silver rice). The old restaurant by the big road and the new restaurant is a 1 min walk from each other. The old restaurant sometimes opens, so if you’re lucky enough, you can enjoy your meal at a nostalgic place.

At Osaka, Sakai, where Sen no Rikyu, the founder of Japanese Tea ceremony was born, you can enjoy being a part of traditional tea ceremony. The tea ceremony you can experience here is called “Ryurei Teicha”, and you can sit on a chair while the ceremony is held, so don’t worry even if you’re a beginner!

At Sakai City Traditional Crafts Museum, you can learn and experience how traditional crafts are made, and also enjoy shopping the great products of Sakai, Osaka. At the 2F, there is “Sakai HAMONO (knife) museum”, where you can see how the knives are made and samples of hundreds of Sakai made knives.
Once you visit here, you can learn and enjoy the traditional crafts of Sakai from knives to seaweeds and Japanese sweets.

Even there are millions of western styled station buildings in Japan Hamadera Koen station of Nankai Railways, located in Sakai, must be one of the greatest western styled stations. This wooden western styled station designed by Tatsuno Kingo was made in 1897 as Hamadera station. Nankai Railways made an amusement park st this beautiful area with avenues of pines, and the station was full of guests who came to enjoy the resort.

This building was selected as one of the registered tangible cultural properties of Japan in 1998, and become one of the best 100 stations of Kinki area in 2002.

As its name represents, Hamadera Koen station is the nearest station to Hamadera Koen Park. At Hamadera Koen Park, there is a beautiful pine forest which was selected as the best 100 pine trees in Japan. It is also the oldest park in Osaka registered as a park at 1873. Inside the park, there is Hamadera pool, rose gardens and traffic parks and many people love here.

*The Info here is based on Feb. 2021

Interested for more?
SAKAI : How to enjoy walking through the city of Burial Mounds
Hiking courses that beginners can enjoy! Let’s join “Burari Healthy"