Tamba Sasayama, the castle town of Tamba, is blessed with good quality water and agricultural products. The town's charm lies in its quaint streetscapes, including the Kawaramachi Tsumairi merchant houses in the National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Tamba Sasayama offers tourist attractions such as the ancient market, Four Seasons Park, and Hachiman Shrine; tourist events such as Sanbaso, Sasayama ABC Marathon, and Ono Festival; and local delicacies such as okonomiyaki, gofuru, and botan nabe.
Tanba Sasayama is located in the middle part of Hyogo Prefecture. There are "Teragaya Ruins" from the Paleolithic Age, and there are some very old historical sites. Koho-ji Temple" was founded by Hodo Hermit, "Rokuhara Tetsudo" in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and in the Edo period (1603-1868), it was under the rule of "Kyoto Tokorojiro" (the governor of Kyoto).
During the Edo period, a castle town was formed with the construction of "Sasayama Castle. Nishiwaki is located in the central part of Hyogo Prefecture and is also called "the navel of Japan. Sasayama is famous for its textiles and produces high-grade products also known as "Harimaori.
There are a great many shrines and temples in Tanba Sasayama. There is "Daikokuji Temple," an important cultural property, "Tetsuganji Temple," founded by Shuji Hatano, and "Kannonji Temple," also founded by Haruhide Hatano of the Hatano clan. Nishiwaki is likewise an area with a great many historical sites.
Tamba Sasayama is famous for its "Tamba chestnuts" and "Tamba black soybeans. The unique texture of the Tamba soil gives them a rich flavor and they are extremely tasty.
Matsutake mushrooms are another specialty that should not be forgotten. Tamba's matsutake mushrooms are among the finest in the country and have a very strong smell. If you can afford it, you should definitely try it. Banshu Ramen, a local soy sauce-based ramen that has become very famous in Nishiwaki, is extremely delicious and once you try it, you will not want to stop.
For a family vacation, there is the Sasayama Children's Museum, the Tambaryu Fossil Workshop "Chitan no Yakata," the Nagasawa Soba Dojo for hands-on learning, and the unusual "Paraglider School.
The "Aguri Tamba 3D Strawberry Orchard" also offers very flavorful strawberries.
Nishiwaki is also famous for the "Japan Navel Park" and the "Nishiwaki Latitude and Longitude Earth Science Museum/Chire Dome. If your goal is to refresh your mind and body through sports, the Tenjin Pond Sports Center is probably the place to go. There are so many amusement facilities for children, so if you are sightseeing with your family, you should definitely keep this area in mind.
Tachikui Sue no Sato, officially known as Tamba Traditional Crafts Park, Tachikui Sue no Sato, is a cultural and recreational complex located in Kamitachikui, Konda-cho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Dedicated to Tamba Tachikui ware, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, the facility promotes the preservation and development of the region’s long-standing pottery traditions. The complex inclu...»
The Sasayama Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings is located in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, the area preserves the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese castle town, with former samurai residences, historic merchant houses, and streets that reflect centuries of local history...»
Byakugoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Ichijima, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism and is known by the mountain name Godaisan. The temple's principal image is Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine and Healing. In addition to its long history and cultural treasures, Byakugoji is especially famous for its spectacular wisteria trellis...»
Sasayama Castle is a historic castle site located in Kitashinmachi, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Built on a small hill known as Sasayama in the center of the Sasayama Basin, this early Edo-period hilltop castle served as the administrative headquarters of the Sasayama Domain. Today, the ruins are designated as a National Historic Site of Japan and offer visitors a glimpse into the region...»
Kawaramachi Tsumairi Merchant Houses is a historic district in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, known for its well-preserved traditional streetscape. Located within the Sasayama Traditional Buildings Preservation District, the area centers on Kawaramachi and Ogawamachi, where rows of historic merchant houses evoke the atmosphere of a prosperous trading town during the Edo period (1603–1868)....»
The Tanba Sasayama City Museum of History and Art is located in Tanba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Opened in 1982, the museum occupies the former Sasayama District Court, a wooden building constructed in 1891. The courthouse is considered one of Japan's oldest surviving wooden court buildings, making it a valuable piece of the country's architectural and cultural heritage. By preserving this ...»
Kogenji Temple is a historic Zen Buddhist temple located in Hikura, Aogaki-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Belonging to the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, the temple is dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha and is known for its beautiful autumn foliage, particularly the distinctive Tenmoku maples that turn the grounds into a colorful landscape each fall. Kogenji is counted am...»
Japan Navel Park is a large public park in Kamihiecho, Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its unusual name comes from its location near the geographical center of the Japanese archipelago, making it a distinctive destination for visitors interested in geography, science, art, and outdoor recreation....»
Kasuga Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Kurooka, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Established as a branch shrine of Kasuga Taisha in Nara, it has long been revered by the local community, which affectionately calls it “Okasuga-san.” Formerly ranked as a prefectural shrine, it remains an important center of local faith, history, and traditional performing arts....»
The Fukuzumi Traditional Buildings Preservation District is a historic area in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, it preserves a remarkable townscape that developed along an important historic highway. The district covers approximately 25.2 hectares across parts of Fukuzumi, Kawahara, Anoguchi, and Ni...»
Korosan Kosanji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Hikami-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Belonging to the Daikakuji school of Shingon Buddhism, it holds the status of a special head temple and has long been an important center of religious faith in the region. Situated on the slopes of Mt. Korosan, the temple is surrounded by lush greenery and offers visitors a peaceful setting in...»
The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo is a museum dedicated to Japanese ceramics, located in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Established to preserve and promote the prefecture’s long-standing pottery traditions, which date back to the Heian period (794–1185), the museum stands at the foot of Mount Kokuzo, next to Tachikui Sue no Sato, a center for the region’s traditional pottery culture. Situa...»
Sekiganji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Iwaya, Sannan-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism and is also known as Iwaya-dera. Its mountain name is Iwayasan, and its principal object of worship is Bishamonten, the Buddhist deity associated with protection, fortune, and warriors. The temple is celebrated as one of the Three Great Au...»
Okashi-no-Sato Tamba is a tourist complex in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, where visitors can discover the region's distinctive sweets, agricultural products, local sake, and traditional crafts. The facility showcases the rich food culture and heritage of the Tamba region, with products made from locally grown ingredients. Spread across spacious grounds, it also features historic building...»
Entsuji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Hikami-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its mountain name is Yokokuzan, and its full formal name is Entsu Kokoku Zenji. The temple's principal image is Nyoirin Kannon, the Bodhisattva of Compassion who holds a wish-fulfilling jewel and a wheel. Entsuji is widely celebrated as one of the Three Great Autumn Foliage Temples of Tamba, alongside...»
Tanbaryu-no-sato Park is a municipal park in Kamitaki, Sannan-cho, Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Developed as part of Tamba City's Tanba Dragon initiative to promote the area's dinosaur heritage, the park opened on March 29, 2015, as part of improvements to the surroundings of the nearby dinosaur fossil discovery site. Located next to a parking area, it offers dinosaur-themed attractions that make...»
Tanba Sasayama Taisho Roman Museum is a historic Western-style building in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Completed in 1923, during the Taisho era (1912–1926), it originally served as the former Sasayama Town Hall. Today, it is a popular tourist information and visitor center, offering a welcoming introduction to the history, culture, and local specialties of the castle town....»
Konda Yakushi Onsen is a public hot spring bathing facility located in Konda-cho, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. Established to support regional development, it has become a popular destination for both local residents and visitors seeking relaxation amid the peaceful rural landscapes of the Tamba-Sasayama area. The facility and its restaurant are operated by a local public-private partner...»
Homei Shuzo is a long-established Japanese sake brewery based in Gofukumachi, Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, with an additional brewing facility known as Ajima Brewery in Osawa 1-chome. Founded in 1797, during Japan's Edo period, the company has more than 200 years of history. It produces a diverse range of beverages, including traditional sake under the Homei brand, liqueurs made with loc...»
Yakami Castle was a medieval mountain fortress in present-day Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. From the Muromachi period (1336–1573) through the Sengoku period (approximately the 15th to late 16th century), it served as the stronghold of the Hatano clan, a powerful local family in Tamba Province. Also known as Yakami Takashiro, the castle is a historically significant example of a traditiona...»
Kozenji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Tamba City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its mountain name is Daibaisan, and it belongs to the Soto school of Zen Buddhism, holding a distinguished status within the tradition. The temple's principal object of worship is Shakyamuni Buddha, a statue said to have been created by a Buddhist sculptor named Kasuga. Kozenji is designated as part of a Nationa...»
In the Tamba-Sasayama region of Hyogo Prefecture, wild boar hunting has traditionally been an important winter activity. Hunters head into the mountains at dawn, bringing their catch back to town to be prepared for the table. The custom of eating wild boar meat, known in Japanese as shishi-niku, has deep roots in the area, and its most famous dish is botan nabe, a hearty hot pot made with wild boa...»
A Unique Bowl with a Sweet, Rich, Yet Refreshingly Light Flavor Banshu Ramen is a regional ramen specialty enjoyed in the Banshu area of Hyogo Prefecture, particularly in Nishiwaki City. Unlike many traditional soy sauce-based ramen varieties, it is known for its distinctive sweet broth, which combines a satisfying depth of flavor with a surprisingly light finish. The origins of this unusual fla...»
Japan’s Renowned Giant Black Soybeans The Tamba-Sasayama region of Hyogo Prefecture has a long tradition of cultivating high-quality black soybeans, thanks to its clay-rich soil and climate with significant temperature differences between day and night. Among its most famous agricultural products is a variety known as Tanba-guro, prized throughout Japan for its exceptionally large size, glossy bl...»
Aromatic Japanese Pepper with a Refined, Refreshing Heat Japanese sansho pepper is often described by the saying, “Small but intensely spicy.” Among its many varieties, Asakura sansho is especially prized for its distinctive fragrance and elegant flavor. Originating in Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, this traditional specialty has been valued for centuries and is now widely recognized as a regional ...»
A Traditional Ingredient for Japan’s Finest Sweets Tanba Dainagon azuki is a premium variety of red bean grown in the Tamba region of Hyogo Prefecture. Known for its large size, beautiful glossy skin, and rich flavor, it is particularly prized for making traditional Japanese sweets, as well as dishes such as sekihan, a festive rice dish cooked with red beans. The beans have a delicate outer skin...»
Japan’s Celebrated Luxury Mushroom, Prized for Its Aroma and Texture Tanba matsutake mushrooms are renowned throughout Japan for their exquisite fragrance and firm, satisfying texture. Harvested in the Tamba region of Hyogo Prefecture, these premium mushrooms are among the most highly prized seasonal ingredients in Japanese cuisine. Their rich aroma and distinctive flavor evoke the arrival of aut...»
Daikokuji Temple, also written as Daikokuji, is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is home to a main hall and a collection of Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Its remarkable history and artistic treasures have earned it the nickname “the Shōsōin of Tamba,” comparing its cultural significance to the famous imperial tr...»
Unitopia Sasayama is a spacious recreational resort surrounded by the natural beauty of Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture. Established in 1973 by the Matsushita Electric Industrial Labor Union, the facility is now operated by the Panasonic Group Labor Union Confederation. Originally created as a retreat for union members, it is also open to the general public and welcomes a wide range of visitors...»
Sasayama Marugoto Donburi is a local specialty from Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture, bringing together the region’s distinctive ingredients in a single, satisfying rice bowl. The name marugoto means “the whole thing” or “everything,” reflecting the idea of enjoying the area’s rich food culture in one dish....»