Sankyo Soko in Sakata, Yamagata

Sankyo Soko, located in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a group of rice storage warehouses built in 1893 (Meiji 26) and still in use today. It is also a popular tourist spot. The site features 12 warehouses lined up with a row of zelkova trees behind them. These zelkova trees play a vital role in blocking the summer sunlight and preventing the temperature inside the warehouses from rising. Various measures have been implemented to maintain the quality of the rice stored here, such as double-roof structures and underfloor ventilation to prevent humidity. The contrast between the white-walled warehouses and the zelkova trees is stunning, offering picturesque views throughout the seasons. Visitors can not only admire the exterior of the warehouses but also explore the interiors of some of them. The site also offers local specialties and souvenirs for sale, as well as meals made with locally sourced ingredients. When I visited around 9:30 AM on a weekday, it was relatively quiet, allowing for a leisurely stroll. This is a highly recommended spot, so be sure to visit! 📍 Spot Name: Sankyo Soko Address: 1-1-20 Sankyo-machi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture ☎️ Phone: 0234-24-2994 🚃 Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Sakata Station 🚗 Access: About a 15-minute drive from Sakata IC on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway