ABOUT
About this spot
Soma-ro in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a sightseeing landmark that restores the long-established ryotei Somaya, which dates back to the Edo period, and lets you feel the history and elegance of the port town of Sakata. Step inside and you enter a space where the opulent Kitamaebune culture still lives on. The highlight is the performance by the Sakata maiko. Culture from Kyoto was carried here by the Kitamaebune trading ships and developed uniquely in this land, and you can watch this traditional art up close in a grand hall that retains the atmosphere of its heyday. The beautiful architecture, with its vermilion walls and tatami mats, is superb, and every corner makes a picture. The building also houses the Yumeji Takehisa Museum, where you can leisurely enjoy atmospheric paintings of beautiful women and related materials. Gaze at the tea rooms and gardens with their historical designs and imagine the glamorous era once loved by wealthy merchants. It is also highly recommended for girls' trips with friends or for a relaxed solo trip for adults.
Last updated March 28, 2026