A Meiji Ryotei of the Port Town Sakata
The Sanno Club (山王くらぶ) is a former ryotei (traditional restaurant) built in 1895 at Hiyoshicho 2-chome, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, of two timber storeys with single-storey parts, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 31, 2003. It is now open as a facility introducing Sakata's restaurant culture and history (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sakata City).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as timber, two storeys with single-storey parts, tiled roof, building area 603 square metres; registration number 06-0052, owned by Sakata City. It is also a component of the Japan Heritage story of the Kitamaebune ports of call (Japan Heritage portal).
A Restaurant of the Kitamaebune Town
According to the Japan Heritage portal, the Sanno Club served the shipowners and merchants of the Kitamaebune trade. The Sakata Tourism and Products Association notes that, befitting one of the city's two most prestigious restaurants, every room has fine kumiko latticework and alcoves of choice timber.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs names its builder as Sato Taitaro, a renowned local master carpenter, and praises its elaborate, high-quality work. Inside, rooms with different themes present Sakata's history as a Kitamaebune port and the writers and artists who visited, and the Sakata kasafuku, one of Japan's three great hanging decorations, is on permanent display (Sakata City).
Why It Was Registered
The Sanno Club was registered as a building that has become a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs praises the elaborate, high-quality craftsmanship of this Japanese-style building by the master carpenter Sato Taitaro.
What to Look For
The street front of the Sanno Club on the west is lightly composed with elaborate detail, and the building extends deep into the site in a staggered line from east to west, linking earthen-walled reception rooms and a sukiya-style tea room (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Look for the kumiko latticework and choice timbers in the alcoves, different in every room (Sakata Tourism and Products Association). There is also a sweets corner overlooking the garden and a shop selling local crafts (Sakata City).
Visiting the Sanno Club
According to the Sanno Club, it opens from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30); it has no closing days from March to November, and closes on Tuesdays from December to February and from December 29 to January 3. Admission is 1,000 yen for adults, 240 yen for high school students and 140 yen for younger pupils; the shop area on the left of the entrance is free (Sakata Tourism and Products Association).
The address is 2-2-25 Hiyoshicho, Sakata City, about 10 minutes by taxi from Sakata Station or by Shonai Kotsu bus to Nakamachi. There is a car park. Telephone 0234-22-0146 (Sanno Club).
Q&A
- When was the Sanno Club built?
- In 1895 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sakata Tourism and Products Association).
- Who used the Sanno Club?
- Shipowners and merchants of the Kitamaebune trade (Japan Heritage portal).
- Who built the Sanno Club?
- Sato Taitaro, a renowned local master carpenter (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What can I see at the Sanno Club?
- Displays on Sakata's history and visiting writers, and the Sakata kasafuku hanging decorations (Sakata City).
- When was the Sanno Club registered?
- On January 31, 2003.
Basic Information
| Name | Sanno Club (山王くらぶ) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-2-25 Hiyoshicho, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2003/1/31 (Heisei 15) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys with single-storey parts, tiled roof, building area 603 square metres |
| Owner | Sakata City |
| Public Access | Open 9:00 to 17:00, closed Tuesdays in winter, adults 1,000 yen |
References
- Sanno Club (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003053
- Sanno Club (Sakata City)
- https://www.city.sakata.lg.jp/bunka/bunkazai/bunkazaishisetsu/sannou_club.html
- Sanno Club (Japan Heritage portal)
- https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/ja/culturalproperties/result/2656/
- Sanno Club (Sakata Tourism and Products Association)
- https://sakata-kankou.com/spot/30130
- Visitor information (Sanno Club)
- https://sannoukurabu.info/riyou/
Last verified: 2026.10.11