What Is the Honma Museum in Sakata?
The Honma Museum (Honma Bijutsukan) is a museum in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture, where history and culture come together.
It is a private museum that opened in 1947 (Shōwa 22), established to display historical collections of the Honma family, and it’s also a worthwhile sightseeing spot thanks to its beautiful garden.
The museum was founded by repurposing a villa once owned by the powerful merchant Honma family, who were said to be among the region’s greatest landowners.
The Honma family also contributed to public works such as supporting the Shōnai domain’s financial rebuilding and sand-control reforestation projects, and their prosperity is remembered in the folk song line, “We can’t match the Honmas, but we’d love to be lords.”
Within the museum grounds, you’ll find the villa Seienkaku (清遠閣), built in 1813 (Bunka 10) by the fourth head of the Honma family, Honma Kōdō (本間光道), as well as the stroll garden Kakubuen (鶴舞園), a nationally designated scenic site—making this a popular place to experience traditional Japanese beauty.
In this guide, we’ll introduce the highlights of the Honma Museum, how to enjoy your visit, and practical access information.
Top Things to See at the Honma Museum
1. Historic Honma Family Art Collections
The Honma Museum exhibits a wide range of works, including Nihonga paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, arms and armor, and tea utensils.
Many pieces were bestowed upon the Honma family by the Sakai family of the Shōnai domain and the Uesugi family of Yonezawa, and the collection also includes Important Cultural Properties and Important Art Objects.
Special exhibitions are held throughout the year, and the early-spring Hina Doll Exhibition is especially well known as a long-running tradition since the museum’s opening.
2. Seienkaku: Refined Kyoto-Style Architecture
Seienkaku (清遠閣), the Honma Museum’s main building, is a villa built in 1813 (Bunka 10) by the fourth head of the Honma family, Honma Kōdō (本間光道), as a rest stop for a Shōnai domain lord’s inspection tour.
Its construction was also carried out as an unemployment relief project for port laborers (chimochi) during winter, reflecting the Honma family’s spirit of social contribution.
The name “Seienkaku” is said to have been bestowed by the Shōnai domain lord Sakai Tadakata (酒井忠器), inspired by the beautiful view of Mount Chōkai.
With its finely crafted Kyoto-style shoin-zukuri architecture, Seienkaku later served as Sakata’s guesthouse for imperial family members and senior government officials after the Meiji era.
In 1925 (Taishō 14), the building is also said to have hosted the future Shōwa Emperor during his time as Crown Prince.
Seienkaku Highlights
- Kyoto-style shoin-zukuri architecture, plus modern Japanese-style rooms added in the late Meiji period
- First-floor tatami rooms used by the Sakai domain lords, and the second-floor hall where the Shōwa Emperor stayed
- A retro café space where you can enjoy matcha or coffee while looking out over the garden
From the second floor of Seienkaku, you can overlook the entire garden Kakubuen, with Mount Chōkai as a borrowed landscape—an elegant, memorable view.
3. Seasonal Beauty of Kakubuen, a National Scenic Site
Kakubuen (鶴舞園), the Honma Museum’s garden, is a Japanese stroll garden and a nationally designated scenic site.
It is said that when the Shōnai domain lord Sakai Tadakata visited, a crane descended onto a pine tree on the pond’s central island—leading to the garden being named “Kakubuen”.
With Mount Chōkai as borrowed scenery and renowned stones brought to Sakata Port by Kitamaebune trading ships, this is a vast garden spanning about 6,000 tsubo (about 20,000 m²).
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (mid April–early May): Cherry blossoms bloom, filling the garden with a bright, festive atmosphere
- Summer (June–August): Lush greenery creates cool, refreshing scenery
- Autumn (late October–mid November): Beautiful foliage brings a dreamy atmosphere
- Winter (December–February): A snow-covered garden conveys the charm of a Japanese winter
Paths are arranged throughout the garden, so you can stroll at a relaxed pace while enjoying the views.
4. Limited-Time Special Exhibitions
The Honma Museum holds a variety of special exhibitions throughout the year.
Checking the exhibition schedule before your visit can help you make the most of your time.
Practical Info for Travelers
Access
By Train and Bus
- About a 5-minute walk from JR Sakata Station
- Shōnai Kōtsū buses make it easy to get around nearby areas
By Car
- Easy access by car from Shōnai Airport
- Parking available
Admission and Opening Hours
- Admission:
- Adults: 1,100 yen (group 990 yen)
- High school & university students: 500 yen (group 450 yen)
- Junior high and under: Free
- Note: Admission also includes entry to Seienkaku and Kakubuen
- Opening hours:
- April–October: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- November–March: 9:00–16:30 (last admission 16:00)
Value Ticket Options
- Two-museum combo ticket with the Former Honma Family Residence: 1,700 yen
- Three-museum combo ticket with Sakata City Museum of Art and the Ken Domon Memorial Museum: 2,500 yen
Estimated Visit Time
- About 1–1.5 hours for a relaxed visit of the museum and garden
Wi-Fi
- Please check on-site guidance regarding Wi-Fi availability
Language Support
- Tourist pamphlets may be available
Summary
The Honma Museum is a cultural spot well worth visiting for anyone interested in Japanese history and art.
With the Honma family’s collections and the beautiful garden Kakubuen (a national scenic site), you can enjoy both art and nature in one place.
Enjoying matcha in Seienkaku’s café while looking out over the garden can also become a wonderful travel memory.
If you’re visiting the Shōnai region of Yamagata, consider stopping by!
