Sakata City was developed during the Edo period, as one of the most important ports of call on the Kitamaebune trading routes of coastal from Osaka to Hokkaido, rivaling Sakai in revenue.

[1] Much of the trade was under the control of the local Homma clan, which became the largest landowners in Japan during Meiji period.

In 2004, Japan's first offshore wind power plant started operation off of the Sakata North Port.

This port has welcomed the MSC Splendida vessel on September 16, 2019, and will host return visits by the Diamond Princess in the future.

The port itself is located in the industrial sector of Sakata City, walking through this area is not recommended due to this.