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7 minutes by train from Osaka Umeda Station! Enjoy a stroll around the castle town and downtown area of Amagasaki

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7 minutes by train from Osaka Umeda Station! Enjoy a stroll around the castle town and downtown area of Amagasaki

Amagasaki is located on the eastern edge of Hyogo Prefecture, adjacent to Osaka City. Having flourished as a key transportation hub since ancient times, Amagasaki is also known as a castle town full of human warmth. Hanshin Amagasaki Station is just a 7-minute train ride from Osaka Umeda Station, making it easily accessible! Furthermore, many sightseeing spots are located near the station, making it the perfect day trip destination from Osaka. In this article, we'll be heading to Amagasaki from ...

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Amagasaki Tourism Bureau

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Amagasaki City is located in the southeastern corner of Hyogo Prefecture and is a core city with a population of about 450,000. Hanshin Electric Railway, JR, and Hankyu Railway run from east to west, and you can access Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara without changing trains, and you can travel to the three Kansai airports in less than an hour, making it a very convenient city. [A town with a castle] In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873. It was rebuilt in 2019 and has once again become the symbol of the town. [A town of human kindness] Amagasaki has many shopping streets and public baths that have been bustling since ancient times, and the atmosphere of the downtown area remains throughout the town. Talking to friendly, warm-hearted older men and women gives you a sense of nostalgia and warmth. [A town where industry and the environment coexist] Amagasaki took its first steps as an industrial city with the opening of a spinning mill in the Meiji era, and has since led the country's rapid economic growth. In recent years, the city has set high goals and taken on pioneering initiatives to realize a low-carbon society, including drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and was selected by the government as an "environmental model city" in 2012. *The Amagasaki Tourism Bureau was established in March 2018 with the cooperation of various stakeholders in Amagasaki to work toward creating a future-oriented tourism region unique to Amagasaki that attracts tourists, enriches the local economy, and fosters pride and attachment to the region by making the most of local resources.

Required time

4 hours

Transportation
train Train
directions_walk On foot

Enjoy the warm-hearted castle town of Amagasaki on a day trip from Osaka

There are many castle towns in Japan, but one particular attraction of Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture is its compactness, with many sights concentrated around the station.

Amagasaki Castle, which was rebuilt in 2019, the quiet temple town, and the Showa-era retro shopping street bustling with locals are all within walking distance from the station. Furthermore, it is easily accessible from Osaka, making it a hidden gem of an area.

This time, we will be heading to Amagasaki from Osaka Umeda Station on the Hanshin Railway. Let's go on a day trip together and enjoy the local charm!

Start from Osaka Umeda Station (Hanshin Railway)!

train
From Osaka Station, follow the signs for "Hanshin Railway" to Osaka-Umeda Station.
It takes about 7 minutes by express train from Osaka-Umeda Station on the Hanshin Railway to Amagasaki Station.
All of the spots in Amagasaki that we will introduce this time can be reached on foot from Amagasaki Station on the Hanshin Railway.

※Note※
In addition to the Hanshin Railway's Amagasaki Station, there is also the JR Amagasaki Station, but please note that the two stations are more than 2 km apart and it takes more than 30 minutes to walk there.

13 spots you should visit when you arrive at Amagasaki Station (Hanshin Railway)!

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When you arrive at Amagasaki Station (Hanshin Railway), first go to the Amagasaki Tourist Information Center and pick up a handy illustrated map for walking around the town, called "Burari Amagasaki Sanpo." The staff will also give you information on recommended restaurants. They also have a selection of popular Amagasaki souvenirs, such as "Amaramune," so it's a great place to stop by after sightseeing.

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Amagasaki Tourist Information Center (in front of Hanshin Amagasaki Station)
Amagasaki Tourist Information Center (in front of Hanshin Amagasaki Station)

This tourist information center is located right in front of the Hanshin Railway's Amagasaki Station. Information on sightseeing spots and events in the city can be found here. There is also a wide selection of Amagasaki souvenirs.

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Now, let's head to Amagasaki Castle, the symbol of Amagasaki!

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Amagasaki Castle
Amagasaki Castle

In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new castle, Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka. It was rebuilt in 2019 and remains a beloved symbol of the town.
Inside the castle, you can take commemorative photos dressed in ninja or samurai costumes with the gold sliding doors as a backdrop, and there are also areas where you can try out sword fighting and gunplay. There are plenty of fun experiences that you can only get at a new castle.

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After enjoying Amagasaki Castle, head to Sakurai Shrine, located just south of it.

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Sakurai Shrine
Sakurai Shrine

Sakurai Shrine was built within Amagasaki Castle in 1883 to enshrine Lord Nobusada, the ancestor of Matsudaira Sakurai. It is one of the few wooden buildings in the city that has been preserved exactly as it was at the time, and is located just south of the reconstructed Amagasaki Castle.

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Be sure to stop by Kotoshiro Hinode Ame Honpo, located near the shrine. The building itself is charming, and it is a long-established store popular for its handmade starch syrup.

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Kotoshiro Hinode Ame Honpo
Kotoshiro Hinode Ame Honpo

This is a long-established store located near Amagasaki Castle, which has been in business for over 100 years. The only ingredient in the starch syrup is rice, which is cooked by hand. When you lick it with your chopsticks, the gentle sweetness fills your mouth. This product is popular with rakugo performers, announcers, singers, and others who care for their throats.

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On the way, we recommend stopping by Nanairo Cafe for a short break. The cafe uses a former elementary school building and is also recommended for lunch.

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Nanairo Cafe
Nanairo Cafe

This is a slightly nostalgic cafe that was renovated from a classroom of a closed elementary school. The recommended lunch dish is roast beef. During cafe time, baked cheesecake is popular.

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Next to Nanairo Cafe is the "Amako Soubei Manga Gallery," which mainly showcases the original drawings of "Rantaro, the Failed Ninja." There are also many original goods that can only be purchased here.

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Amako Soubei Comic Gallery
Amako Soubei Comic Gallery

This gallery mainly showcases the original drawings of "Rantaro, the Failed Ninja" by Amako Soubei, a manga artist born and living in Amagasaki. Utilizing the building of a former elementary school, the gallery has an exhibition space with the image of a "ninja school," as well as "a school store" (sales corner). It is a small but unique space.

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After taking a break, head to the Teramachi area.

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Amagasaki Shinkin Bank Amashin-Kaikan
Amagasaki Shinkin Bank Amashin-Kaikan

Valuable materials on display include a replica of Amagasaki Castle, the sword "Tachi Moriie" (a national important cultural property) associated with the Sakurai Matsudaira clan, the feudal lords of Amagasaki, as well as armor such as samurai armor, matchlock guns, and spears used during alternate attendance, castle drawings, and picture scrolls depicting the sending off and receiving of Korean envoys. Gold and silver coins from 170 countries around the world are also on permanent display at the Coin Museum.

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Be sure to also visit the Amagasaki Shinkin Bank World Piggy Bank Museum next door.

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Amagasaki Shinkin Bank World Piggy Bank Museum
Amagasaki Shinkin Bank World Piggy Bank Museum

This museum specializes in piggy banks, and has a collection of 25,000 piggy banks from 62 countries around the world, from Japan to Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East, from ancient times to the present.

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Amagasaki Temple Town
Amagasaki Temple Town

The Teramachi district, located southwest of Hanshin Amagasaki Station, is a quaint town that has been designated an "urban beauty formation area (an area that should be preserved as a historically distinctive area)." The 11 temples, many of which are designated as important cultural properties, convey the atmosphere of a castle town.

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Walk a little further to Kibune Shrine, famous for its Danjiri Festival.

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Kifune Shrine
Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine was once the place of prayer for the lord of Amagasaki Castle and held the official prayer ceremonies of the Amagasaki domain. It is now affectionately known as "Amanokifune-san."

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Head to Sanwa Shopping Street, which is full of local charm. The Showa retro atmosphere is irresistible. We also recommend eating tempura and grilled offal here.

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Amagasaki Sanwa Hondori Shopping Arcade
Amagasaki Sanwa Hondori Shopping Arcade

This shopping arcade stretches from north to south for about 400m from National Route 2 to near the elevated Hanshin Main Line, and is lined with about 100 stores specializing in clothing, food, and housing. There are also many traditional shops beloved by locals, where you can feel the atmosphere of a downtown area.

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Next, let's stop by Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine, marked by a large red torii gate.

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Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine
Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine

Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine, also known as "Ama no Ebessan," watches over business and family prosperity. The large 17m-tall torii gate at the entrance is particularly eye-catching.

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It is often said that Amagasaki is synonymous with shopping streets. Among them, Amagasaki Central Shopping Street is famous for hosting the earliest magic lighting ceremony in Japan, in hopes of the Hanshin Tigers winning the championship.

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Amagasaki Central Shopping Arcade
Amagasaki Central Shopping Arcade

It is no exaggeration to say that Amagasaki Central Shopping Arcade is synonymous with Hanshin Amagasaki, and it remains beloved and familiar to local residents and the local community. There are many arcade shopping streets in the Kansai region, but this is one of the most well-known and popular. Starting with Chuo Ichibangai, followed by Chuo Sanbangai, Chuo Yonbangai, and Chuo Gobangai, this all-weather arcade shopping street stretches for about one kilometer from east to west toward Deyashiki. Bustling with people all year round, each area has its own unique features, such as different shops and atmospheres, which makes it a must-see.

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It's just a short walk from Amagasaki Central Shopping Street to Amagasaki Station on the Hanshin Railway. The Amagasaki Tourist Information Center in Central Park in front of the station has a wide selection of Amagasaki souvenirs, so be sure to stop by before you head home. They also have the popular product, Amaramune.

What did you think? Amagasaki is a little-known area with a nostalgic atmosphere. Please be sure to check it out.

There is also a direct line to Amagasaki Station from Namba Station!

This time we introduced the route from Umeda, the center of Kita, but you can also get to Amagasaki Station directly from Namba, the center of Minami.

It takes 15 minutes by rapid express from Osaka-Namba Station on the Hanshin Railway to Amagasaki Station. No transfers required.

Spots introduced in this itinerary

Amagasaki Tourism Bureau

Amagasaki City is located in the southeastern corner of Hyogo Prefecture and is a core city with a population of about 450,000. Hanshin Electric Railway, JR, and Hankyu Railway run from east to west, and you can access Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara without changing trains, and you can travel to the three Kansai airports in less than an hour, making it a very convenient city. [A town with a castle] In 1617, by order of the Edo Shogunate, the fudai daimyo Toda Ujikane became the lord of Amagasaki and built a new Amagasaki Castle. For about 250 years, Amagasaki Castle boasted its majestic appearance as the defense of the west of Osaka until it was demolished after the castle abolition order in 1873. It was rebuilt in 2019 and has once again become the symbol of the town. [A town of human kindness] Amagasaki has many shopping streets and public baths that have been bustling since ancient times, and the atmosphere of the downtown area remains throughout the town. Talking to friendly, warm-hearted older men and women gives you a sense of nostalgia and warmth. [A town where industry and the environment coexist] Amagasaki took its first steps as an industrial city with the opening of a spinning mill in the Meiji era, and has since led the country's rapid economic growth. In recent years, the city has set high goals and taken on pioneering initiatives to realize a low-carbon society, including drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and was selected by the government as an "environmental model city" in 2012. *The Amagasaki Tourism Bureau was established in March 2018 with the cooperation of various stakeholders in Amagasaki to work toward creating a future-oriented tourism region unique to Amagasaki that attracts tourists, enriches the local economy, and fosters pride and attachment to the region by making the most of local resources.

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