“Mizuki Shigeru Road” is suited for night walks as well. A suspicious atmosphere surrounds us as the shadows of Yokai Monster appear on the road, the lights flicker, and strange sounds are heard.

“Mizuki Shigeru Road” is a shopping street in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. Sakaiminato City is the hometown of Manga artist Mr. Shigeru Mizuki (1992-2015), known for the manga ‘Gegege no Kitaro.’ “Mizuki Shigeru Road” is an 800m road that starts at JR Sakaiminato Station and ends at “Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall.”

On the side of “Mizuki Shigeru Road,” many bronze statues of Yokai Monster in ‘Gegege no Kitaro’ is placed, such as Kitaro and Nezumiotoko. Not only the stores but also the station, park, shrine, police station, city lights, mailbox, and manholes are colored by the world of Yokai Monster.

Bronze Statues of Yokai Monster

There are 177 Yokai Monster bronze statues on “Mizuki Shigeru Road,” where we can enjoy the world of Yokai Monsters drawn by Mr. Shigeru Mizuki.

Kappa no Izumi

“Kappa no Izumi” is a plaza with a fountain. There is a total of nine Yokai Monster bronze statues such as a Kitaro Manneken Pis and a side-swimming “Nezumiotoko”, and Sanpei, the main character of ‘Kappa no Sanpei.’

Yokai Shrine

Yokai Shrine is a shrine created on January 1^st, 2000, to create a Yokai Monsters-friendly environment. The deity is a 300-year-old Japanese zelkova tree and a black granite statue that Mr. Shigeru Mizuki put a soul in. There is a torii gate of “Ittanmomen” and a “Chouzuya (A place to clean your hands)” of “Medamaoyaji.”

Yokai Monster Shadow Puppet (Mizuki Shigeru Road at night)

At night, the Yokai Monster bronze statues light up, and shadows of the Yokai Monsters appear on the road. It adds a creepy and fantasy-like atmosphere.

Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall

The “Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall” express the world of Mr. Shigeru Mizuki with displays such as Yokai Monster collections and Yokai Monster diorama. Voice guides in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Russian are available.

Yokai Trains (Kitaro Trains)

The JR Sakai Line, which connects Yonago Station to Sakaiminato Station, runs 6 types of “Yokai Trains (Kitaro Trains),” trains wrapped in yokai characters such as “Kitaro,” “Medamaoyaji,” and “Nezumiotoko.” The characters are also drawn on the seats and ceilings in the train. The 16 stations in JR Sakai Line each have a nickname. Yonago Station is “Nezumiotoko Station,” and Sakaiminato Station is called, “Kitaro Station.” Also, the “Conan Train,” wrapped with ‘Detective Conan’ characters, departs and arrives at Yonago Station. Yura Station in JR Sanin Line is nicknamed “Conan Station.”

Yonago Kitaro Airport

If you want to go by plane, Yonago Airport is convenient. As part of the “Manga World Tottori” project of Tottori prefecture, Yonago Airport is nicknamed “Yonago Kitaro Airport.” There are many bronze statues of “Kitaro” and his friends inside the airport building.

Kitaro Ferry

In Oki Island (Dougo) of Shimane prefecture, there is a place called “Mura,” which is the same as Mr. Shigeru Mizuki’s real name. From this, Mr. Shigeru Mizuki was convinced that his origins were from Oki Island.

Oki Kisen, which connects Dougo (Saigo Port) and Sakaiminato, launched the “Kitaro Ferry” with Kitaro illustrations painted on it, through the “Mizuki Shigeru Road” extension project. Oki Island (Dougo) is decorated with more than 10 statues, including bronze statues of “Kitaro” and other local Yokai Monster.

Access to Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Hall

[Railway]

From Osaka

It takes about 45 minutes from JR Shin-Osaka Station to JR Okayama Station by Sanyo Shinkansen.

From Fukuoka

It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes from JR Hakata Station to JR Okayama Station by Sanyo Shinkansen.

From JR Okayama Station, transfer to the JR Sanyo Main Line (limited express) to JR Yonago Station in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Transfer to the JR Sakai Line at JR Yonago Station and get to JR Sakaiminato Station in about 50 minutes. About 10 minute-walk from JR Sakaiminato Station.

[Airplane]

From Tokyo

It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Haneda Airport to Yonago Airport. About 30 minutes from Yonago Airport by circular bus.