Kinosaki, Ideishi, Yumura onsen Travel Guides

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.