月曜日 09:00 - 17:30 火曜日 09:00 - 17:30 水曜日 09:00 - 17:30 木曜日 09:00 - 17:30 金曜日 09:00 - 17:30

Sakai City CIR

This page is managed by the Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) of Sakai City.

29/10/2026

Welcome to October’s edition of – Volume 15! ☕️🍂
This month, I visited enoa, a charming new café that opened just last month in the Sakaihigashi area. With its cozy, aesthetically pleasing interior, relaxing outdoor seating, and welcoming atmosphere, it's the perfect spot for a coffee break in Sakai. 😍🍰

I tried the Anko Mascarpone Toast, a delicious combination of sweet red bean paste and creamy mascarpone cheese, along with a refreshing açaí smoothie. The café also offers a selection of coffee, smoothies, and savory food options, making it a great choice whether you're in the mood for a light meal, a sweet treat, or a drink. 😋✨️

Be sure to save this post for your next café visit in Sakai!📍

🍂 Basic Information 🍂

🗓 Opening hours: 10:00-19:00 (from Nov 1st 9:00-18:00)
🚫 Closed day: Wednesdays (from Nov 1st Mondays)
📍 Address: 〒590-0079 Sakai City, Sakai Ward, Shinmachi, 1−20 Rino Sakaihigashi 1C
🚶‍♀️ Access: 240 meters from Sakaihigashi station

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared. #堺グルメ sakai

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

26/10/2026

Fifty works, including the winning entries from this year's ASEAN Photo Contest submitted during July and August will be exhibited. 📸🌄✨️
The contest invited professional and amateur photographers to submit photographs related to ASEAN countries. This year, marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore and the 70th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines, two photographs that won the Special Award featuring the two countries will also be exhibited. 🏆🎉

🗓 Date/time: Until November 6th (Fri), 9:00-21:00
📍 Venue: Sakai City Hall, high rise building, 1F north lobby
💰 Admission: Free

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared. #アセアンフォトコン

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

21/10/2026

Czech Festival 2026 in Kansai is an annual tradition and a very popular event. Enjoy 3 days of Czech culture, such as Czech cuisine, b**r & w**e, Czech music, and folk performances!🎉🇨🇿🍻

🗓 Date/time:
🎶 October 23rd (Fri) 16:00-21:00
🎶 October 24th (Sat) 11:00-20:00
🎶 October 25th (Sun) 11:00-19:00
📍 Place: Mina Sakai (Citizens Plaza)
💰 Admission: Free

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared. #チェコフェス

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

19/10/2026

Join an exclusive evening tea ceremony hosted by the Omotesenke school of tea in the illuminated Japanese Garden of Daisen Park, using Bohemian glass tea utensils that were actually used in the Czech Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. 🍵🇨🇿
A glass water jar and a lid rest will also be incorporated into the tea setting. This is a unique opportunity to experience the legacy of international exchange fostered by the Expo through the fusion of Czech traditional craftsmanship and Sakai's tea ceremony culture. 🎉

🗓 Date/time: November 14th (Sat), ① 17:30~ ② 18:15~ ③ 19:00~ (approx. 30 mins per session)
📍 Venue: Japanese Garden, Daisen Park
💰 Fee: 1,000 yen (special admission fee required separately)
🖊 Notes: Open to elementary school students and older. Elementary school students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Accompanying persons are also required to pay the admission fee. Participation fees must be paid in cash on the day of the event.
🍵 Capacity: 20 participants per session
📥 Application: Advance registration via the City's online e-application system.
(First-come, first-served. Applications accepted until November 1st.)

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared.

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

13/10/2026

The 53rd Sakai Festival will take place on October 17th (Sat) and 18th (Sun).🎉　
From Sakaihigashi station to Sakai station spanning around 1km, including Uchikawa River and a part of Daidosuji Street, the area will be completely transformed into a festival zone. There will of course be the majestic ‘Gun squad demonstration’, the ‘Carrying of Futon daiko’, as well as fun stage events, food stalls, food trucks, and tea ceremony experiences. This is a participatory street festival where you can enjoy the charm of Sakai, including its history, traditional culture, and modern industries. Last year, the event attracted approximately 410,000 visitors in total. Let’s look forward to enjoying it again this year!🎉
Visit the highlights for more details (Japanese).
(There is a possibility of a change in schedule. Cancellation in case of storm, go ahead rain or shine.) https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/sakaimatsuri2026/

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared. #堺祭り
This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

09/10/2026

To commemorate the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy, a special concert will be held featuring the first-ever performances in Japan by Italian jazz pianist Rita Marcotulli and jazz drummer, percussionist, and vocalist Israel Varela. 🇯🇵🤝🇮🇹
Enjoy an exceptional jazz experience performed on the world-renowned Fazioli piano, one of Italy’s finest musical treasures. 🎹🎶

🗓 Date/time: November 24th (Tue)
☀️ Afternoon performance: Doors open 14:00, concert begins 14:30
🌙 Evening performance: Doors open 18:30, concert begins 19:00
📍 Venue: Fenice Sacay small hall (2-1-1 Okinabashi-cho, Sakai-ku)
💰 Admission: Free (all seats are unreserved). Preschool children are not permitted to attend.
🙆‍♀️ Capacity: 280 people per performance
📥 Application deadline: Online application by 23:00 on October 20th, reply-paid postcard must arrive by October 20th. (If the number of applicants passes capacity, applicants will be chosen by lottery, and the results will be notified around November 10th). When applying by reply-paid postcard, please provide the representative's name, address, daytime contact number, number of seats requested (up to four), and preferred performance (afternoon only or evening only, or first choice: afternoon and second choice: evening, or first choice: evening and second choice: afternoon).

Check out the highlights for more information (Japanese). https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/shisei/kokusai/event/FazioliJazzConcertatFeniceSacay.html

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared.

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

07/10/2026

Takaoka Tokutaro (1902-1991) was a Western-style painter born in Sakai. 🎨🖼✨️
He spent the first 20 years of his life in Sakai and, having also stayed in Europe, produced a wide range of artworks throughout his career. In addition to painting, he was active in diverse fields, creating the original design for Rose-chan, the mascot character of Takashimaya department store, as well as the iconic rose motif used on the store's wrapping paper and shopping bags. The Takaoka Tokutaro Exhibition, currently being held, showcases the artistic achievements of Takaoka, who was active during Japan's turbulent Showa era (1926-1989). Why not take this opportunity to experience the works of an artist with close ties to Sakai? 🎉

🗓 Date/time: Until October 18th (Sun), 9:00-18:00 (last entrance 17:30)
📍 Venue: Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko exhibition room, (2-1-1 Shukuin-cho Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City)
💰 Admission fee: Adult 300 yen, high school students 200 yen, free for junior high school students and under
*Free for Sakai residents aged 65 and over, and those with disabilities and their caregivers
*Admission to this exhibition is included with the permanent exhibition ticket

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared.

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

01/10/2026

The October/November 2026 edition of City Life English newsletter has been published! 🍁🎃
You can view it online at our website at the link below or in the bio. Don’t forget that foreign residents living, working or studying in Sakai can sign up to have a paper copy sent to your house!🗞✨️

English newsletter: https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreign-language/english/visitors/newsletter/october_november2026/index.html

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared.

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

25/09/2026

Welcome to September’s edition of – Volume 14! ☕️🍰😋
Today, I’d like to introduce Hitotsuki coffee, a cozy café with a warm and relaxing atmosphere in Sakai. During my visit, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the owner, who warmly welcomes everyone, including international visitors, to stop by and enjoy the café. I had the pleasure of trying the Cassata, a frozen traditional Sicilian dessert made with cream cheese and fresh cream, filled with dried cranberries and walnuts, along with a refreshing butterfly pea lemonade soda. The café also offers a wide selection of specialty coffees and other drinks, so there's something for every taste. Another fun point is that the ‘snack’ menu changes from time to time, making each visit a chance to discover something new. What stood out to me most was the owner's hospitality. From the warm welcome to the relaxing atmosphere, it's a café where everyone, including overseas visitors, can feel comfortable. 🙏☺️

🌙 Basic Information 🌙

🔛 Opening hours: Changes daily so check the Instagram story .coffee
😴 Closed days: Irregular so check the Instagram stories to confirm .coffee　
📍 Address: 3-13-19 Shirasagi-cho, Higashi-ku, Sakai-shi
🚶‍♀️ Access: 750 meters from Hatsushiba station

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared. #堺グルメ

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.

18/09/2026

Danji festivals are an autumn traditional festival of Sakai, where you will see large floats with exquisite wood carvings pulled by many people, with the highlight being the thrilling corner turns.🎉🔥

The most renowned Danjiri festival is the Otori Taisha Danjiri Festival, held from October 2nd (Fri) to October 4th (Sun).
📌 October 3rd (Sat): Ten Danjiri floats enter the shrine in the morning, followed by their departure.
📌 October 4th (Sun): Nishi Ward Danjiri Parade takes place around noon. In addition to this, various Danjiri festivals are held at multiple locations across the city during September and October.

Check the highlights for the Sakai Hyakucho website for detailed times and more.
https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/sakai-hyakucho/en/

Tag your photos taken in Sakai with for a chance to be shared.

This is an official Instagram account of Sakai City, run by the English Coordinator for International Relations (CIR). We post about seasonal sights, local events and the best sightseeing spots in Sakai City in English for our local foreign residents and global visitors.