Auckland FC captain Hiroki Sakai has shared some of his preferred locations around Auckland in a recent interview, offering insight into the city’s attractions through the eyes of the professional footballer.

When it comes to beaches, Sakai named Tāwharanui as his top choice, closely followed by Ōmaha. He noted that these spots are particularly popular with his family for outings. For dining, he highlighted Knead on Benson in Remuera as his favourite brunch destination, praising the quality of the coffee there. In the evenings, he prefers Soul Bar for dinner with friends, especially since it is a common meeting place for teammates and other club members.

Sakai also spoke about places he recommends to visitors. Having hosted friends and family from Japan, he said they are consistently impressed by the west coast beaches near Auckland, specifically Piha and Bethells Beach, which he described as “really special.”

Although Sakai acknowledged the area’s natural beauty, he admitted that he has limited time for hiking due to his rigorous training and recovery schedule but expressed an interest in exploring local trails in the future.

On more casual topics, Sakai said he has not yet tried fish and chips from Auckland shops but is open to recommendations. When asked about live music venues, he cited Spark Arena as the main location where he has attended concerts.

Regarding shopping and bargains, Sakai was uncertain about notable deals in the city but suggested the Auckland FC online store as a personal option.

Auckland FC is scheduled to face Melbourne City at Go Media Stadium on October 17, with the match set to kick off at 5 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $25 for adults.