Kinosaki Onsen, with its seven out-spa baths, and Yumura Onsen, with its abundant, high-temperature hot springs, make this an area where one can enjoy a hot springs tour. Izushi's specialty, Sara-soba, is a must-try.
The Kinosaki, Izushi, and Yumura Hot Springs area offers tourist attractions such as Kinosaki Hot Springs, the ruins of Takeda Castle, and Kinosaki Marine World; sightseeing events such as the Danjiri Festival, Sanbaso, and Sunflower Festival; and local delicacies such as okonomiyaki, onion soup, and gaufres.
Tajima, where the Kinosaki, Izushi, and Yumura hot spring areas are located, is blessed with rich nature. The area is also rich in outdoor activities such as swimming and camping in the summer and skiing in the winter, attracting many visitors throughout the year. Sightseeing spots such as Kinosaki Onsen, Izushi, and Genbudo Cave, as well as gourmet foods such as Tajima beef and Matsuba crab are also enjoyed by tourists.
Kinosaki Onsen is the main tourist attraction in the Kinosaki area in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture. With a history of 1,300 years, Kinosaki Onsen has been a popular therapeutic hot spring resort for many years. It is known as a hot spring loved by many great writers, including Naoya Shiga.
The charm of Kinosaki Onsen lies in the elegant streets lined with wooden inns along the Oyajigawa River, which is beautifully lined with willow trees and cherry blossom trees, and in the out-spa baths. Matsuba Gani (Matsuba Crab) in winter is another of Kinosaki Onsen's delights. Around Kinosaki Onsen, there is a popular aquarium where you can enjoy dolphin shows and sea fishing, and Genbudo Park with its multiple caves.
Izushi is a castle town in the mountains located south of Kinosaki Onsen. It is called "Tajima's Little Kyoto" because the old streets, including samurai residences, still exist. The symbol of the castle town of Izushi is the Shinko Tower, located on the ruins of Izushi Castle. It is a fire watchtower-shaped clock tower built in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), and is said to have gotten its name from the fact that it used to announce the time with a drum.
Another famous local delicacy of Izushi is Izushi soba (buckwheat noodles). Soba noodle shops are scattered throughout the city, and visitors can enjoy soba with a variety of condiments such as egg, grated yam, and grated daikon (Japanese radish).
The Yumura area northwest of Izushi is home to Yumura Onsen, one of Tajima's most famous hot springs, along with Kinosaki Onsen. It is one of the highest-temperature hot springs in Japan and is known as the "village of hot spring water" for its abundant hot spring water. The footbaths in Yumura Onsen are also free-flowing, and the footbaths along the Haruki River are large enough for up to 70 people to enjoy at one time.
The Kinosaki, Izushi, and Yumura Onsen area offers hot springs and gourmet food in a rich natural setting. Tajima beef is a must-try local delicacy along with Matsuba crab and Izushi soba. This is a must-visit place for both hot spring and gourmet tours.
Experience the Charm of Old Japan Through a Traditional Hot Spring Tour Kinosaki Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, with a history dating back to before the Heian period (794–1185). Famous for its atmospheric streets and the tradition of visiting multiple public baths while dressed in a yukata, a lightweight cotton kimono, the town offers an enchanting glimps...»
Yumura Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in the town of Shinonsen, Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture, in the former province of Tajima. Nestled in a mountain valley in the eastern San'in region of western Japan, it is known for its peaceful atmosphere, traditional hot spring culture, and picturesque riverside scenery. The hot springs are said to have been discovered in 848, during the early He...»
Takeda Castle Ruins, located in the Wadayama area of Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, are the remains of a historic Japanese mountain castle famous for its magnificent stone walls rising above a sea of clouds. Often called the “Castle in the Sky” or the “Machu Picchu of Japan,” this spectacular site offers one of the country's most extraordinary historical landscapes. The castle was built on the sum...»
Located on the Hiyoriyama Coast in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan, Kinosaki Marine World is an aquarium that combines marine life exhibits with exciting entertainment and hands-on attractions. Visitors can observe fish and marine mammals, enjoy dolphin and sea lion shows, experience activities that recreate the sensation of diving underwater, and even interact with dolphins and...»
Ikuno Silver Mine, located in Asago City in northern Hyogo Prefecture, developed into one of Japan's leading silver mines from the Sengoku period (the Warring States period) through the modern era. In 1868, during the Meiji Restoration, it became Japan's first government-operated mine and played an important role in the modernization of the country's mining industry. Today, the former mine is pres...»
Hiyoriyama Coast is a rocky coastline in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, forming part of the San'in Kaigan Geopark and San'in Kaigan National Park. Facing the Sea of Japan, the coast features a deeply indented ria coastline shaped by wave erosion, with numerous unusual rock formations creating a dramatic natural landscape. Offshore, the small island of Nochigashima is home to a pavilion modeled af...»
Asago Arts Village is a scenic park in Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, where art and nature blend harmoniously. Set amid lush greenery, the complex features an outdoor sculpture park, an art museum, and hot spring accommodation facilities. Visitors can enjoy contemporary sculpture, explore the surrounding woodland, and relax in a peaceful natural setting....»
Kasumi Coast, located in Kami Town in northern Hyogo Prefecture, is a spectacular rocky coastline within San'in Kaigan National Park. Designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government, it is renowned for its rugged cliffs, unusual rock formations, sea caves, and beautiful blue waters. Shaped over millions of years by volcanic activity and the relentless action of the waves, the coastl...»
Izushi is a historic district in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, known for its traditional streetscape and rich samurai-era heritage. Once a prosperous castle town, it retains the atmosphere of the Edo period (1603–1868), with historic merchant houses, samurai residences, temples, shrines, and traditional buildings lining its streets. The district was designated a National Important Preservation D...»
Tendaki Waterfall, located in Oya Town, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, is one of the largest waterfalls in the prefecture, with an impressive drop of 98 meters. Its majestic appearance has earned it a reputation as a waterfall pouring down from the heavens. Situated approximately 33 kilometers east of Mount Hyonosen, the waterfall is also associated with legends about Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the Buddhi...»
Takeno Coast, located in Toyooka City in northern Hyogo Prefecture, is a beautiful rocky coastline along the Sea of Japan. Part of San'in Kaigan National Park, it is known for its rugged terrain, exceptionally clear waters and diverse coastal scenery. The area offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of Japan's northern coastline, from dramatic cliffs and unusual rock formations t...»
Saruo Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in the Muraoka area of Kami Town, Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture. Known as one of the Three Great Waterfalls of Tajima, it has also been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls. Surrounded by lush woodland and dramatic rock formations, it attracts visitors who appreciate scenic landscapes and the natural beauty of the Japanese countryside....»
Izushi Sara Soba is a traditional buckwheat noodle dish served in Izushi, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its distinctive presentation features small portions of soba arranged on individual white porcelain plates, accompanied by dipping sauce served in a small flask and a selection of condiments. This unique style allows diners to savor the noodles a few bites at a time while enjoying different co...»
Hattan Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in the Kannabe Highlands of Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, within the San'in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark. Its name is said to come from the waterfall's height, which was traditionally compared to eight tan, a unit of cloth length. To distinguish it from other waterfalls with the same name, it is also known as Nashiki Hattan Falls or Hidaka Hattan Falls....»
Tajima Kogen Botanical Garden is a municipal botanical garden located in Kami Town, Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture. Situated at an elevation of approximately 680 meters, it lies within the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park. Established on June 15, 1997, the garden is surrounded by beautiful highland scenery and has been ranked first in Hyogo Prefecture's list of 100 Best Tourist A...»
Nagusa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine in Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, nestled on the slopes of Mount Myoken, which rises to 1,139 meters. The shrine stands at an elevation of approximately 800 meters and is surrounded by a magnificent forest of towering Myoken cedars. Its principal deity is Nagusahiko-no-Okami. Formerly known as Myoken Shrine, it flourished as a major center of Myoken worship...»
Ginzan Town Corridor is the name given to a sightseeing route through the historic townscape of Kuchiganaya in Ikuno Town, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture. Ikuno flourished as a mining town serving the renowned Ikuno Silver Mine, once one of Japan's major silver-producing mines. The area retains many traces of its mining heritage, including traditional townhouses, Western-style buildings, historic wa...»