Experience the Nature, History, and Food Culture of West Japan on the "Golden Route to West Japan"
The "Golden Route to West Japan" is a fascinating travel route that connects the metropolis of Osaka to the picturesque island of Kyushu. Even though Osaka and Kyushu are not that far apart, each region has its own unique history, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.
In fact, local trains and local buses that connect to the Shinkansen network provide an efficient and comfortable way to travel between cities. Whether your trip starts or ends in Kyushu, you can enjoy diverse and rich experiences. Embark on a journey through Western Japan to meet the people who live there and discover the nature and food culture they have preserved.
In this article, we will introduce the diverse charms of the "Golden Route to West Japan," including a sake brewery with 700 years of history, architectural structures that convey Japan's ties to the West, a sacred island covered in plants, and markets and entertainment districts where you can have fun interacting with locals.
At sake breweries in the Nada District, you can learn about and taste the 700-year tradition of sake brewing
The "Nada Gogo" area of Kobe boasts the world's largest production of sake and is an area that sake lovers will want to visit again and again. Sake brewing has been practiced since the 14th century, and there are a number of breweries where visitors can observe the traditional sake brewing process.
Why did Nada Gogo become a hotspot for sake brewing? Rice, water, and craftsmen are essential to sake brewing. Kobe had all of these elements. Yamada-Nishiki is a rice used exclusively for sake brewing and was harvested nearby. The name of the water is "Miyamizu", and it comes from spring water of high quality abundant in minerals. The craftsmen are a group of artisans called Toji, who have passed down their excellent sake brewing techniques. With all these elements in place, Nada sake was transported to all parts of the country through Kobe Port, and the Nada Gogo area became famous nationwide as a sake-producing region.
For those who want to learn more about the art and history of sake brewing, here are three sake breweries where you can enjoy tastings and pairings:
The Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum displays traditional sake brewing tools, nearly all of which are Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan. At the Taru Sake Meister Factory located on the premises, visitors can observe the making of sake barrels by the only craftsmen in Japan.
Brochures are available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, French, Thai and Vietnamese. Exhibition Information is provided in the form of QR codes, with information in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, French, Thai and Vietnamese.
The Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum is unique in that it uses life-size dolls to introduce the sake brewing process. It is easy to see at a glance what kind of work is being done and gives a sense of realism.
Brochures are available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese, while QR codes explaining the brewing process, come with voice guidance in 15 languages.
Nada Gogo Sakedokoro is a standing drinking style restaurant in a renovated sake brewery with a history of more than 500 years. In this photogenic restaurant with its 50-meter-long wooden counter and colorful lanterns sparkling overhead, you can enjoy the sake from all 26 breweries in Nada Gogo paired with local ingredients.
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai: Diversity that has continued from the end of the 19th century to the present
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai is an area where many Western-style buildings of the colonial style built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are still visible. In 1868, with the opening of Kobe Port, many Westerners moved to Kobe as a trading center. The Kitano Ijinkan-gai was thus built as a residence for Westerners who immigrated to Kobe. Because they were built by Japanese carpenters based on designs by Westerners, they feature Western-style exteriors, but incorporate materials and construction methods appropriate to the Japanese climate. Even after the Western residents ceased to live there, the streets have been preserved by the local Japanese people for a long time, and it can be said that this is a town created with a harmony between Japan and the West.
Even today, in an area with a radius of about 1 km, a variety of religious facilities (Kobe Synagogue, Kobe Muslim Mosque, Kobe Central Catholic Church, Dormition Orthodox Church in Kobe, Kobe Baptist Church, Bhagwan Mahavir Swami Jain Temple) and multi-national communities coexist, in addition to Ijinkan (foreign residences). The main attraction of Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai is not only the opportunity to appreciate historical architecture, but also to experience the multi-religious and multinational diversity of the city.
Here are some typical buildings. The "Rhine House" is a wooden two-story Western-style building, but it is unique in that Japanese tiles are used for the roof. It's exhibition introduces the history of Kitano Ijinkan-gai and admission is free.
The Weathercock House, with its brick exterior and weathercock on the roof, is the symbol of Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The museum offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the German traders who lived there at the time (closed until April 2025 for seismic retrofitting). The exterior walls of the "Uroko House" are covered with natural slate stone, resembling the scales of a fish. It is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The observation deck, which was built for traders of the time to view ships entering and leaving the port of Kobe, offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea.
The "Kitano Tourist Information Center" is staffed by English-speaking volunteer guides. Additionally, the exhibits in each Ijinkan building are labeled in English, and brochures are available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Please make use of this opportunity to learn about the connection between the West and Japan, as well as the history of Kobe.
"Karato Market" is a bustling marketplace with freshly caught seafood
Karato Market is located in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on the westernmost tip of Honshu. In front of it is the Kanmon Straits, and beyond that is Kyushu. The wholesale market is frequented by food professionals, but when the professional buyers have settled down, the market becomes crowded with locals and tourists.
In particular, the "Iki Iki Bakangai," which is only held on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, is extremely popular. The area is packed with seafood stalls where you can try sushi, seafood bowls, and Fugu (pufferfish) soup made with Shimonoseki's specialty, pufferfish. You may be overwhelmed by the sight of rows of fresh sushi.
If you are not sure what to choose at a seafood stall, try communicating with the people at the market. Interaction with the people at the market is another major attraction of Karato Market. The sushi you purchase tastes even better when you eat it while looking out at the Kanmon Straits that stretch out before you. The rooftop lawn area is also recommended for its open feel.
Karato Market is open to visitors even on weekdays. It's also a good idea to avoid the crowds at Iki Iki Bakangai and go on a weekday. Although there are no seafood stalls, at the dining hall on the second floor visitors can enjoy set meals with plenty of Fugu and conveyor-belt sushi prepared by skilled chefs.
Whether it's a weekday or not, there is a wider selection available in the mornings. Get up early to enjoy the fresh seafood and bustling market.
"Fugu cuisine" awarded Japanese Heritage status after a ban is lifted
Fugu is well known as a poisonous fish. However, for the people of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, known as the "home of Fugu," it is a familiar food item that can be purchased at supermarkets, and it is said that it has been eaten since the Jomon period, even before the 10th century BC. That said, there is indeed a history of Fugu consumption being prohibited.
In the late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued a decree banning the consumption of Fugu, and even during the Edo period, it was common to refrain from eating Fugu. In Shimonoseki, however, it was eaten on a daily basis, and travelers were surprised to see it. However, in 1882, the sale of Fugu was finally banned in Shimonoseki.
A turning point came in 1888. When the first prime minister Ito Hirobumi visited Shimonoseki, he happened to taste Fugu, which was so delicious that the ban on eating it was lifted only in Yamaguchi Prefecture. In 2017, the Kanmon Strait separating Shimonoseki City and Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture was registered as a Japanese Heritage Site as "Kanmon 'Nostalgic' Straits," and "Fugu cuisine" was included in its cultural assets.
Shimonoseki handles the largest volume of Fugu in Japan. The area is home to a team of skilled Fugu preparers who will delight both the eyes and taste buds of visitors, serving Fugu sashimi, Fugu hotpot, fried Fugu, and Fugu fin sake in a variety of different ways. We invite you to enjoy the history and delicacies of Shimonoseki, the home of Fugu.
Aoshima Island is an island of faith and strange rock formations covered in subtropical plants
Aoshima Island is a small island in southeastern Miyazaki Prefecture. The island is covered with more than 5,000 plants of about 200 species, including 27 species of tropical and subtropical plants. In particular, the large colonies of "fountain palm," a member of the palm family, are precious, and these plant communities have been designated as a national Special Natural Monument.
Aoshima Island can be reached by crossing the 120-meter-long Yayoi Bridge. As you get closer, you will notice the strange rock formations that surround the island, known as "Devil's Washboard." Rocks formed under the sea about 7 million years ago rose up in an tilted position, and the soft mudstone layer was eroded by waves, leaving only the hard sandstone layer, resulting in this shape.
When you land on the island, you will see the torii gate of Aoshima Shrine. The date of the shrine's founding is unknown, but it is already recorded in documents dating back about 1,200 years. Furthermore, until 1737, entry was prohibited to anyone other than the feudal magistrate and Shinto priests. You can see how sacred this place was.
Aoshima Island is a land formed by the accumulation of shells carried by the tides, and not only the Devil's Washboard but the entire island was created through the long, long workings of nature. A stroll around the 1.5-kilometer perimeter will give you a deeper sense of the mysticism of nature and the faith of the people.
Nishitachi: Enjoy local sake, local food, and interacting with local people!
Nishitachi is a major entertainment district in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture. Miyazaki City is a treasure trove of food, blessed with both seafood and produce from the mountains. It is filled with delicious foods such as Jidori (locally raised chicken), seafood, Miyazaki Beef, and fruits. If you're on a tight schedule and wondering what to eat tonight, head to Nishitachi!
When you see the lanterns lining both sides of the street, you are in Nishitachi. Colorful lights sway in the wind, inviting you to an enjoyable evening. There are over 1,000 restaurants, including Izakaya (Japanese bars that serve alcohol, dishes, and snacks), bars, standing bars, and Yakiniku restaurants, where locals will give you a warm welcome.
Among the many local specialties, Miyazaki's Jidori chicken is especially famous. There are a variety of Jidori chicken dishes; with charcoal-grilled chicken, you can directly taste the flavor of the meat. The Jidori chicken is slowly grilled to infuse the charcoal aroma, giving it an irresistible smoky flavor. "Gunkei Honten Kakushigura" has an English menu, so if you're unsure where to eat, this might be the place to go.
In Japan, the one last dish before going home after drinking is called the "Shime". If you choose a dish for a meal at Nishitachi, "Kamaage Udon" is recommended. The Kamaage Udon at "Togakushi Honten" is characterized by its secret yuzu-scented sauce. It is a refreshing end to a very satisfying evening.
Facility information
Nada District Sake Breweries
Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum: 1-9-1 Uozaki Nishimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum: 4-5-5 Sumiyoshi Minamimachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Nada Gogo Sakedokoro: 3-11-2 Mikage Honmachi, Higashinada-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum
19 minutes from Osaka Station (JR) on the JR Kobe Line Rapid Service train, 4 minutes from Sumiyoshi Station (JR) on the Rokko Liner, 2-minute walk from Minami-Uozaki Station (Kobe New Transit)
22 minutes from Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line direct express train, 10-minute walk from Uozaki Station (Hanshin Electric Railway)
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
15 minutes from Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line direct express train, 12 minutes from Nishinomiya Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line, 5-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Station (Hanshin Electric Railway)
19 minutes from Osaka Station (JR) on JR Kobe Line Rapid Service train, 15-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Station (JR)
Nada Gogo Sakedokoro
25 minutes from Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line direct express train, 10-minute walk from Mikage Station (Hanshin Electric Railway)
15 minutes from Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line direct express train, 12 minutes from Nishinomiya Station (Hanshin Electric Railway) on the Hanshin Main Line, 12-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Station (Hanshin Electric Railway)
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai
Rhine House: 2-10-24 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Weathercock House: 3-13-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Uroko House: 2-20-4 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
Rhine House
15-minute walk from Sannomiya Station (JR Kobe Line, Hankyu Railway Kobe Line, Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line), Kobe-Sannomiya Station (Hanshin Electric Railway Main Line)
10-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station (JR Shinkansen, Kobe Municipal Subway)
15 minutes from Sannomiya Station on the Shinki Bus City Loop, 1-minute walk from the "Kitano Ijinkan" bus stop
Weathercock House
15-minute walk from Sannomiya Station (JR Kobe Line, Hankyu Railway Kobe Line, Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line), Kobe-Sannomiya Station (Hanshin Electric Railway Main Line)
15-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station (JR Shinkansen, Kobe Municipal Subway)
15 minutes from Sannomiya Station on the Shinki Bus City Loop, 5-minute walk from the "Kitano Ijinkan" bus stop
Uroko House
20-minute walk from Sannomiya Station (JR Kobe Line, Hankyu Railway Kobe Line, Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line), Kobe-Sannomiya Station (Hanshin Electric Railway Main Line)
20-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station (JR Shinkansen, Kobe Municipal Subway)
8-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, the Shinki Bus City Loop "Kitano Ijinkan" bus stop
Karato Market
Location: 5-50 Karatocho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi
Directions: 7 minutes from Shimonoseki Station (JR) on the Sanden Kotsu Bus, get off at the "Karato" bus stop, 3-minute walk
Fugu cuisine
Location: Numerous locations in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Directions: Shimonoseki Station (JR)
Aoshima Island
Location: Aoshima, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki
Directions: 10-minute walk from Aoshima Station (JR Nichinan Line)
Nishitachi
Location:
Nishitachi: Central Miyazaki City , Miyazaki Prefecture
Gunkei Honten Kakushigura: 8-12 Chuo-dori, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki
Kamaage Udon Togakushi Honten: 7-10 Chuo-dori, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki
Directions:
16-minute walk from Miyazaki Station (JR)
6 minutes from Miyazaki Station (JR) on the Miyazaki Kotsu Bus, 4-minute walk from the "Tachibana-dori 3-chome" bus stop