View over Sakata’s traditional homes with a river, green fields and mountains in the background.

Sakata, Japan

Cruises to Sakata

Things to do in Sakata

Sakata, located in Yamagata Prefecture along the Sea of Japan, is a historic port city that flourished during the Edo period as a major merchant hub for rice trading, and today retains its Edo-era charm through well-preserved merchant warehouses, traditional sake breweries, historic temples and the Sankyo Soko Rice Storehouses, built in 1893.
Princess cruises to Sakata generally sail between April and November — with spring departures timed to cherry blossom season and fall sailings aligned to autumn foliage — and typically pair Sakata with ports like Aomori, Hakodate, Kanazawa and Busan on Sea of Japan or Circle Japan itineraries. Sakata is only the beginning of what you can experience on your Japan adventure with Princess!

Experience the Sakata port on your next cruise

From one of the oldest wooden towers in the world to the largest collection of moon jellies, Sakata has a little something from everyone. When you visit on your Japan cruise, you’ll get to see the highlights: museums, rice storehouses, an aquarium and sacred, beautiful temples and shrines in the surrounding mountains. And Sakata is only the beginning of what you can experience on your Japan adventure with Princess! 

Discover the rich history of  Sakata with Princess Cruises

See samurai armor, a pagoda with the remains of the historic Buddha, a mountainous shrine dedicated to three gods and the historic rice farms that make Sakata the historical landmark it is. When you visit with Princess, we’ll help you step back in time and learn as much as possible about Japanese history and culture in a place that’s stood since the 700s. 

Cruises to Sakata
Traditional wooden shrine with a tiled roof set in a grassy courtyard surrounded by pine trees.

Step into Sakata’s storied past at this timeless shrine framed by tall pines and tradition.

A scenic waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage in golden and green hues, framed by tree branches against a clear sky.

A majestic waterfall flows through a forest dressed in fall colors, creating a perfect harmony between flowing water and seasonal foliage.

A smiling couple stands at the railing of a Princess® cruise ship, enjoying the open sea and blue sky.

A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

Front-facing view of a Princess® cruise ship sailing through calm ocean waters.

Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

Explore ships visiting this port

Cruises to Sakata FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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