A complete guide to the little-known, peaceful castle town of Izushi

• Table of Contents
• What is Izushi, the Little Kyoto of Tajima?
• How to get to Izushi
• 5 Must-Visit Spots in Izushi
• Izushi's specialty "Izushi Sara Soba"

What is Izushi, the Little Kyoto of Tajima?

Izushi is a castle town with a historic atmosphere that makes you feel as if you have traveled back in time.

Izushi's streets, which have many places where you can feel the history and culture of various eras, such as the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods, have been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government. If you turn down an alleyway, you'll feel as if you've wandered into a different era, and strolling through these nostalgic alleyways is the best part of a trip to Izushi.

How to get to Izushi

How to get from Kinosaki Onsen to Izushi (taxi or rental car)

It is about 35 minutes by taxi from JR Kinosaki Onsen or by rental car from your accommodation in Kinosaki Onsen.

Rental car details and application

How to get from Kinosaki Onsen to Izushi (bus, train + bus)

You can get from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station to Izushi by bus only, or by train and bus. There is one bus on weekdays and three on weekends, so you can get there without having to transfer. You can also take a train from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station to JR Toyooka Station, and then go to Izushi from Toyooka Station Bus Terminal. It takes about an hour, and the fare for train + bus is 790 yen.

Access from Kinosaki Onsen to Izushi

5 Must-Visit Spots in Izushi

1. Izushi Castle Ruins and Arikoyama Inari Shrine

This flatland castle was built at the foot of Mt. Ariko in 1604. The rough stone walls remain as they were at the time, and the corner turret, castle gate, and castle bridge have been restored.

Within the ruins of Izushi Castle, there is Arikoyama Inari Shrine, lined with red birds. The shrine is located at the top of the castle, and offers a panoramic view of the Izushi castle town. You can enjoy different views each season: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and a blanket of snow in winter.

2. Shinkoro

" Shinkoro " is the oldest clock tower in Japan. A drum tower was built in 1871 to house a drum that would ring to tell the time to the town, and the current clock tower was completed in 1881. It is a symbol of Izushi Town, and is affectionately known by locals as "the big clock."

3. Samurai House Karoyashiki

Karoyashiki was a building used as the residence of a high-ranking samurai in the late Edo period. From the outside, it looks like a single-story building, but it is actually two stories with a hidden staircase inside. There are also various hidden features, such as low ceilings and hidden passages to the roof. Materials related to the Izushi Domain are on display inside the museum, as well as various items used in daimyo processions, which are intangible cultural properties.

・Business hours: 9:30-17:00

・Closed on Wednesdays, January 1st, November 3rd, December 31st

・Admission fee: 200 yen for adults, 120 yen for students / Group fee: 160 yen for adults, 100 yen for students *Free for junior high school students and younger

4. Izushi Eirakukan

Izushi Eirakukan is the oldest playhouse in the Kinki region. It opened in 1901 and hosted performances such as Kabuki, Rakugo, and movies, and flourished as a part of popular culture in Tajima. It closed in 1963, but was reopened as a playhouse in 2008. It has been used for a wide range of purposes, from Kabuki performances to events, and is open to the public when there are no performances.

・Business hours: 9:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30)

・Closed every Thursday, December 31st and January 1st

Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 240 yen for students, free for junior high and elementary school students

5. Izushi Sake Brewery

Izushi Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery founded in 1708, is characterized by its red clay walls facing the street. They sell pure rice sake under the brand name "Sasazuru."

Izushi's specialty "Izushi Sara Soba"

The specialty " Izushi Sara Soba " is served on a small white plate.

One serving is five plates, but the strange thing about this soba is that it can be eaten in no time. Each person orders 10 or 20 plates, so the table soon fills up with plates. Dip the noodles in the soup with condiments and stack the plates as you eat them. This is a specialty only found in Izushi.

There are about 40 soba restaurants in Izushi Castle Town, and although the basic "sara soba style" is the same, the taste, store layout, and attention to detail are all different. It would be a waste to stop at just one or two restaurants. Enjoy the different tastes as you tour around the soba restaurants. The "soba making experience" where you make and eat your own soba is also popular.

Soba noodle making experience