Sakai Station Area in Osaka

Sakai Station on the Nankai Main Line is the oldest station in Sakai City. Although it was once considered the city's main station, it ceded this status to Sakai City Station on the Hanwa Line in 1965. Today, Sakai-Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line serves as the city's de facto main station.

Near the west exit of Sakai Station, there is a statue of Akiko Yosano, a renowned poet who was born in Sakai City.

Additionally, close to the south exit, on the "Nanban Bridge," stands a statue of a "Nanbanjin" (a foreigner from the Nanban trade era). This statue is tied to the story "The Ribbon of Promise," which narrates the encounter between a Portuguese man who was shipwrecked and drifted to Sakai and a local town girl. The ribbon, symbolizing their mutual feelings, became a central theme of the story. It is said that tying a ribbon with a wish on the bridge's railing might make the wish come true, and the railings are adorned with numerous "matchmaking ribbons."

On the wall of an elementary school near Sakai Station, there is a stunning ceramic mural depicting scenes from the Nanban trade era, showcasing Sakai's history as a port town.

Nanbanjin Statue on Nanban Bridge
📍Location: 1-9-3 Sakaebashi-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, 590-0985

Post by こりのとりっぷ | Aug 22, 2025