A festival celebrating Sakaide’s salt culture and Michiken Kume’s aspirations
Sakaide Salt Festival
The 2026 edition of Sakaide Salt Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/05/16 〜 2026/05/17Ended
- Season / frequency
- Around May (generally held on the third Sunday in May) / A local event generally held annually
- Location
- Seto Ohashi Memorial Park
- Area
- Kagawa Prefecture・Sakaide City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 15 min–1 h 35 min · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This local festival offers a chance to enjoy salt-making and food-related activities while learning about the aspirations of Michiken Kume, who supported Sakaide’s salt industry.
About Sakaide Salt Festival
The Sakaide Salt Festival is an event held in Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture, to express gratitude for salt, a local specialty.
Carrying on the spirit of Michiken Kume, who devoted himself to developing the salt fields, and sharing his achievements and aspirations are also important pillars of the festival.
Through traditional salt-making and activities featuring salt, visitors can get a close-up feel for Sakaide’s salt industry and the region’s history.
Source: さかいで塩まつり - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
A highlight is the chance to experience traditional salt-making by boiling down brine.
The “salt slide,” made with a large quantity of salt, has been set up as a play area combining a flat section and a slope.
Other programs that offer a taste of Sakaide’s history and food have also been featured, including demonstrations of the matchlock firearm improved and developed by Michiken Kume, and complimentary rice balls seasoned with salt alone.
A festival celebrating Sakaide’s salt culture and Michiken Kume’s aspirations
What to expect
At the venue, you can try making salt by boiling down brine and view panels featuring photos of the salt fields and their history.
The salt produced is said to be dedicated to Shiogama Shrine at a later date as part of a religious ceremony.
Depending on the year, the program has also included food and hands-on activities, such as complimentary rice balls, exhibits of salt-based artwork, and sports climbing.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Seto Ohashi Memorial Park (6-13 Bannosu Midoricho, Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture)
- Train and bus
Get off at Sakaide Station on the JR Yosan Line.
Source: さかいで塩まつり | OMATSURI NAVI｜英語対応、日本のお祭り検索サイト「お祭りナビ」
Address 6-13 Bannosu Midoricho, Sakaide, Kagawa Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled for May 16 (Saturday) through May 17 (Sunday).
It has generally been held on the third Sunday in May, though in some past years it has taken place over multiple days or in April.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Kagawa Prefecture / Sakaide City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Seto Ohashi Memorial Park
香川県坂出市にある都市公園・道の駅
瀬戸大橋記念館
香川県坂出市にある博物館
神谷神社
香川県坂出市にある神社
香川県立東山魁夷せとうち美術館
香川県坂出市にある美術館
Origins and History of Sakaide Salt Festival
The Sakaide Salt Festival began in 1992 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sakaide’s municipal status and the 35th anniversary of the Sakaide Junior Chamber, against the backdrop of changes in local events following the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge.
The first festival was held at Seto Ohashi Memorial Park, and subsequent festivals have also been held at Utazu Seaside Park and around Sakaide Station.
In fiscal 2010, the venue and dates were changed, and the festival evolved into an event organized together with various local groups.
Official information
The official Sakaide Salt Festival website is listed as a source of related information.
Sakaide Salt Festival at a Glance
The Sakaide Salt Festival is a local event that shares the history of Sakaide’s salt industry and the achievements of Michiken Kume, while expressing gratitude for salt.
Its program is known for bringing together history, food, and hands-on experiences, including salt-making, a salt slide, matchlock firearm demonstrations, and complimentary rice balls.
The 2026 event was scheduled for May 16 through the 17th at Seto Ohashi Memorial Park.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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