Sakae Ward is located in eastern Kanagawa Prefecture, and on the southwestern borders of the city of Yokohama.

In the cadastral reform of April 1, 1889, the area was divided into Hongo, Sakae and Toyota villages under Kamakura District.

On April 1, 1939, Sakae was annexed by the neighboring city of Yokohama, becoming part of Totsuka Ward.

In a major administrative reorganization of October 1, 1969, Totsuka-ku was divided, and Sakae emerged as an independent ward within the city of Yokohama.

Sakae Ward is largely a regional commercial center and bedroom community for central Yokohama and Tokyo.