Mizuki Shigeru Road Overview
Tucked away in Sakaiminato, a small port city in Tottori Prefecture, Mizuki Shigeru Road is one of Japan’s most beloved manga-themed attractions. The 800-meter street stretches from Sakaiminato Station to the Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum and is lined with 178 bronze statues of yokai — Japan’s supernatural creatures — drawn directly from the pages of Mizuki Shigeru’s iconic manga series, GeGeGe no Kitaro.
Mizuki Shigeru (1922–2015) was born and raised in Sakaiminato. He is credited with popularizing the yokai genre in manga and is best known for GeGeGe no Kitaro, a series that has been adapted into anime every decade since 1968. Before his career took off, Mizuki served in World War II and lost his left arm in combat — an experience that deeply informed his worldview and his art. He believed yokai could only appear in times of peace, a philosophy woven into the fabric of his work.
The road itself opened in 1993 with just 23 statues and has since grown into a major tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors annually. Today, the street is dotted with character merchandise shops, themed restaurants, a Yokai Shrine and a Kappa Spring pond. The Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum, which reopened in April 2024 after renovation, anchors the far end of the road and explores the artist’s life, manga works and extensive yokai research.
A Yokai Stamp Rally — where visitors use a guidebook available at Sakaiminato Station to collect stamps at locations along the road — is a popular way to explore everything the street has to offer.
Best Times To Visit Mizuki Shigeru Road
Mizuki Shigeru Road can be visited year-round, but autumn (October–November) and spring (March–May) offer the most pleasant conditions for walking the outdoor street. Tottori’s summers can be hot and humid, while winters bring cold winds off the Sea of Japan.
October is a particularly atmospheric time to visit, as the approach to Halloween lends the already-spooky yokai statues an extra layer of seasonal charm. The statues are illuminated every evening from sunset until 22:00, making a nighttime stroll a genuinely eerie and memorable experience.
Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May) if crowds are a concern — the road and surrounding area see a significant spike in visitors during this period.