With the stark contrast of the black wooden paling and tiled rooves against the white plaster walls, not to mention the awe-inspiring row of Zelkova trees along the back, the Sankyo Rice Warehouses are the iconic symbol of Sakata City in its glory days.

Constructed in 1893, the warehouses were so well-designed that nine of the 12 are still being used for their original purpose. A few notable features include the raised roof to allow ventilation throughout the year, as well as the Zelkova trees that provide much-needed shade in the summer, and protection from the harsh winds in winter.

The other three warehouses have been converted into Sakata Yume-no-Kura, a sake and snack bar,  souvenirs, and Hokotei, a traditional Japanese restaurant that showcases the original roof from the inside. There is a museum at the northern end that features many handmade tools and artifacts used for rice farming, highlighting  the effort that went into producing the staple grain for a growing nation.