2025 Kihoku Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

I. Must-See Attractions & Experiences 1. Kumano Kodo Iseji 🥾 - Highlight: The eastern branch of the World Heritage "Kumano Kodo" pilgrimage route. The Owase section is known for its bamboo forests and stone steps, perfect for light hiking. - Recommended Route: Magose-toge Pass, approximately a 2-hour walk, featuring a serene path covered with moss. - Tips: Wear non-slip shoes and bring plenty of water. Free maps (English versions available) can be obtained at the visitor center. 2. Shichiri Mihama 🌅 - Highlight: One of Japan's longest gravel coastlines. Enjoy cycling or walking while listening to the "singing sand" created by the waves crashing against the pebbles. - Activities: Sunrise viewing, collecting uniquely patterned stones along the coast (taking large pebbles is prohibited). 3. Owase Onsen ♨️ - Highlight: Natural hot springs rich in minerals. Umi-no-Yu is recommended for its Pacific Ocean views. - Cost: Public baths are approximately JPY 500. Japanese inns (Ryokans) offer private baths with accommodations. 4. Furuichi District 🏯 - Highlight: Preserved Edo-era merchant town atmosphere with wooden houses and latticed shop windows. Kajita Residence (a National Important Cultural Property) is a must-see. - Opening Hours: The streets are open all day. Some old houses require reservations for visits. 5. Osugidani Nature Park 🌳 - Highlight: Primeval forests and waterfalls. A summer retreat perfect for playing in the streams. - Transportation: Driving or taking the sightseeing bus (departing from Owase Station, 1-2 times daily) is recommended. II. Recommended Local Cuisine 🍣🐟 1. Local Flavors - Owase Katsuo 🐟: Charcoal-grilled skipjack tuna sashimi (tataki) served with garlic slices and yuzu vinegar. Exquisitely delicious! - Ise Ebi Miso Soup 🦐: Made with Ise lobster, a specialty of the Kii Peninsula. Rich and flavorful. - Kakinoha-zushi 🍙: Fermented sushi wrapped in salted persimmon leaves, offering a unique sweet and sour taste. 2. Recommended Restaurants - Isami 🍤: Family-friendly seafood restaurant with ocean views. The "Katsuo Three Ways Set Meal" (approx. JPY 2,000) is a must-try. - Café Kajita ☕: A café in a renovated old house, serving hand-drip coffee and Japanese sweets. 3. Market Experience - Owase Morning Market 🍅: Every Sunday morning (7:00-10:00), local farmers and fishermen set up stalls selling fresh seafood and mountain vegetables. III. Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 1. Hot Spring Inns (Ryokans) - Umioto 🌊: Traditional Japanese inn with rooms facing the Pacific Ocean, including breakfast and dinner (Kaiseki cuisine), approximately JPY 15,000 per person. - Kokuminshukusha Osugidani 🏕️: Simple accommodation within the nature park, suitable for hikers, approximately JPY 6,000 per night. 2. Budget-Friendly Options - APA Hotel Owase Ekimae 🚉: Conveniently located near Owase Station, offering standard business hotel amenities, approximately JPY 7,000 per night. IV. Transportation Guide 🚄🚗 1. External Transportation - Train 🚞: Take the JR Limited Express "Nanki" from Nagoya (approx. 3 hours) directly to Owase Station. From Osaka, transfer at Shingu Station. - Bus 🚌: Mie Kotsu buses connect Ise City and Owase (approx. 2 hours). 2. Local Transportation - Rental Bicycles 🚲: Available for rent near Owase Station (approx. JPY 1,000 per day), ideal for cycling along the coastline. - Sightseeing Taxis 🚕: Chartered taxis for exploring the Kumano Kodo and mountain areas (approx. JPY 8,000 for 4 hours). V. Useful Tips 📌 1. Best Time to Visit: - Spring and Autumn (April-May, October-November): Pleasant weather, avoiding the rainy season (June) and typhoon season (September). - Winter (December-February): Seafood is at its best, but some mountain roads may be closed. 2. Language & Payment 💴: - English is not widely spoken. A translation app is recommended. Cash is primarily used, with credit cards accepted at some restaurants and hotels. 3. Cultural Etiquette 🙇: - Wash your hands at the temizuya (water pavilion) before entering shrines along the Kumano Kodo. Swimsuits are prohibited in onsen areas; bathing is done nude. 4. Environmental Considerations ♻️: - Littering is prohibited along the Kumano Kodo. Bring your own trash bag. Do not remove plants or animals from protected areas. VI. Itinerary Suggestions 📅 - 2-Day/1-Night Highlights Tour: Day 1: Nagoya → Owase Station → Hike Magose-toge Pass on the Kumano Kodo → Overnight stay at Owase Onsen. Day 2: Cycle along Shichiri Mihama → Stroll through the old streets → Owase Morning Market → Return trip. - Extended Trip: Add a day to explore Osugidani Nature Park or extend your journey to the Kumano Sanzan (Nachi Taisha, Hongu Taisha). Summary 🌟 Owase City is a hidden "treasure trove of mountains and sea" in the Kansai region of Japan. Here, you'll find moss-covered ancient trails, the whispers of the waves, and the lively atmosphere of the fish market, all without the crowds. Perfect for travelers seeking an escape from the city and immersion in nature and history. Pack your hiking boots and a relaxed mindset, and experience the profound charm of the Kii Peninsula! Have a wonderful and peaceful journey! 🍃🗻

To Hotel Tokinoza in Kihoku-cho, Mie Prefecture♨️ You can enjoy a natural hot spring with a pleasant open-air bath and a luxurious meal made with plenty of seafood from Mie Prefecture. Not only is the kaiseki dinner delicious, but the breakfast is a buffet where you can eat as many different kinds of dried fish as you like. What's more, you can grill it yourself on a charcoal grill at the table, which makes it twice as delicious. There was also dried swordfish and squid, so it was a very enjoyable breakfast🥢 The abalone sauce and aosa dressing for the abalone dish at dinner were sold in the hotel's souvenir corner, so I bought those to take home as well😋 📍Kihoku Natural Hot Springs Hotel Tokinoza Address: 3043-4 Higashinagashima, Kihoku-cho, Kitamuro-gun, Mie Prefecture #FuritabiWinter #0yenTrip #HotSpring

I went to the inn "Villa Otogibanashi" in Kihoku-cho, Mie Prefecture with my beloved dogs 🐕🦺✨ This time we stayed in a villa-type room where you can stay with your pet, and it has an open-air bath in the room (hot spring ♨️) ✨ There is also a restaurant where you can bring your pet ✨ (You can eat in your room, but the menu is different, so it is recommended to go to the restaurant ♡) You can also use the hot spring facilities of Hotel Kinoza, which is listed in the Michelin Tokai guide and is affiliated with The Earth, and you can also reserve a private open-air bath 📞 📍villa Otogibanashi #FuritabiWinter #HotSpring #0YenTrip #DomesticTravel

#大坂景点 If you want a date with green mountains and clear waters, then Osugidani is your best choice! The valley here is like nature's beauty salon. The lush trees and clear streams make you want to take pictures, but be careful, the trees may be jealous of your selfies because they are too beautiful. 📸😂 Here you can walk along the trails and feel the embrace of nature. You can also imagine yourself as a brave explorer looking for hidden treasures. However, the real treasure might just be a pretty rock or a playful little squirrel! 🐿️✨ Of course, don’t forget to bring enough water and snacks, because in this green mountain and clear water, you may be so fascinated by the beautiful scenery that you may forget to eat, and end up having to fill your stomach with the "scenery"! 🍏😄

This fireworks festival is famous among photographers as a place where you can capture the reflection of the thousand fireworks✨ It's a small town, so there are almost no places to wait. Please be careful of heat stroke during the hottest times. If you come by car, you can wait in your car, but if you come by train or bus, most waiting areas are outdoors, so be careful! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Points🌟 ・The decision on the 2025 event will be made around early to mid-May ・If you are going by car, you should check SNS as they will post parking information! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ※The information is live, so please check it out when you go! Date of photo: 2024/7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Right now! This moment! Enjoy it to the fullest Maya trip ✔︎A place I'm glad I went and experienced for myself ✔︎I hope this will be helpful for your outings♫ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kihoku Lantern Festival 📍Kiinagashima Port, Nagashima, Kihoku-cho, Mie Prefecture 🚶About 15 minutes walk from Kiinagashima Station ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~🫧~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #FireworksFestival2024 #FuriTabi #Kihoku #MieTourism #KihokuLanternFestival #Fireworks #FireworksFestival

Mie Prefecture Kihoku Lantern Festival✨ The fireworks festival in Kihoku Town, Mie Prefecture, where the Suzaku fireworks are beautiful! ☑️This fireworks festival is very popular, so we recommend that you reserve a spot early! ☑️We recommend taking the express train to Kioi Nagashima! The station is also very congested💦 ☑️If you are driving, make sure to secure a parking spot early! ☑️Vending machines will also sell out, so we recommend bringing drinks in a cooler bag! The fireworks last about an hour! This time, the Suzaku fireworks were launched in about 30 minutes😊 I was impressed by the colorful and beautiful fireworks✨ I can see why it's so popular✨ It's a recommended spot that I want to visit again next year! #0 yen travel #Japanese travel tour #Kihoku lantern festival

Had a chance to chance upon a small little town (Kihoku) in Mie prefecture this time due to the annual lantern festival and was staying in a local Japanese inn for a night. The theme in 2023 is a giant sized owl. The event was feeling very festive with local food for sale and mini dance performances. The night ended with spectacular display of fireworks which lasted more than an hour.

Getting There -  Attractions -  Hotels -  Food & Restaurants -  Shopping -  #summervacation#beachvacation