A day trip to Sakakibara Onsen, which appeared in the OP of "Sazae-san". Enjoy TsuCity 's popular gourmet food!

Various tourist spots in Mie Prefecture appeared in the opening of the popular anime program "Sazae-san" for six months from October 2016, divided into autumn and winter editions. I went on a trip to enjoy the Chunansei area, focusing on Sakakibara Onsen, which was introduced in the winter edition! It takes about 20 minutes from the Hisai IC on the Ise Expressway. It's a peaceful place full of nature.

Before going to the hot springs, I went to the tourist information center, Sakakibara Onsenkyo Omotenashikan, to gather some information.

Inside the facility, you can learn about the history of Sakakibara Onsen, which was used as the Ise-san's ``Yugori-no-Yu'' in ancient times. There are many tourist pamphlets for the surrounding area, and the free footbath is also an attractive feature.

[Sakakibara Onsenkyo Hospitality Hall]
Address: 5824-1 Sakakibara-cho, Tsu TsuCity
Phone number 059-252-0017
Business hours 10:00-16:00
Closed: Irregular holidays, year-end and New Year holidays (12/29-1/3)

Yumoto Sakakibarakan is about a 3-minute walk from Sakakibara Onsenkyo Omotenashikan. You will be overwhelmed by the larger building.

Go to "Day Trip Hot Spring Yunosho" attached to the main building. Enjoy, enjoy!

Buy a ticket at the ticket vending machine at the entrance, then pick up your Samue and bath towel at the front desk. It’s finally hot spring time!

The colorless and transparent Sakakibara Onsen is said to be a ``beauty hot spring'' because it leaves your skin smooth after taking a bath. The smooth texture of the hot water feels so good. The large public bath at Yumoto Sakakibarakan is fed by natural hot spring water. The temperature of the source is a slightly lukewarm 31.2 degrees, so even those who don't like hot water can warm themselves up from the core. The photo is of the large communal bath "Murasaki".

Another large public bath "Moegi". These two baths are for men and women on a rotating basis.

This is "Tenga", the same type of open-air bath with a view that appeared in the opening of "Sazae-san"! If you pay an additional fee, you can enjoy this bath (only on weekdays/men's and women's baths alternate daily with the other "Tensho").

Inside the facility, there is a ``Gensen drinking fountain'' where you can drink the hot spring water. The mellow taste makes your body feel cleansed!

After relaxing in the hot springs, head to the main building using the connecting passage. This is the shop ``Nanaguri-an''. We have a wide selection of products related to Sakakibara Onsen and Mie specialties.

Yumoto Sakakibaradate's original skin care product "Moromi Series" is very popular with women!

The staff at Yumoto Sakakibarakan recommended original products. Thank you for your kind guidance!

[Yumoto Sakakibarakan]
Address: 5970 Sakakibara-cho TsuCity
Phone number 059-252-0206
Business hours 9:00-20:00 *Reception until 19:00 (Day trip hot spring Yunosho)
Price: 1,000 yen for adults, 500 yen for children (3 years old to 6th grade) *Bath towel and Samue rental included. You can use the open-air bath with a view for an additional 500 yen on weekdays only (Day Trip Hot Spring Yunosho)
Closed: Irregular holidays (Day trip hot spring Yunosho)

Next, we visited Sand Therapy Sunaba, a sand bath relaxation facility. Arrive in about 3 minutes on foot from "Yumoto Sakakibarakan". It is said that being surrounded by white sand awakens the natural healing power that humans have. As this is a popular facility, reservations are required (reservation contact: 059-252-1007).

First, we had a counseling session while enjoying herbal tea. Tell us about your body condition.

Change into a yukata and take a sand bath. When you lie down on the sand that has been warmed by the hot springs, the staff will sprinkle sand on you. As time passes, you can clearly see that your body becomes warmer from the core. Along with the sweat that comes out, waste products from the body are gradually released!

After washing away the sand in the shower room, relax in the relaxation room. It's so comfortable that you'll want to stay here forever.

Free service of several types of herbal tea. I was surprised at how easy they were to drink! It is said that when you drink this, your metabolism becomes even more active due to secondary sweating.

Finally, take a refreshing hot spring bath fed directly from the source. The blissful time will be over in no time.

All the staff of "Sand Therapy Sunaba". We had a happy time with the attentive service!

[Sand therapy sand feather]
Address 1354-3 Sakakibara-cho TsuCity
Phone number 059-252-1007
Business hours 10:00-21:00 (Reception until 18:00)
Price: Sand bath 4,320 yen (tax included/hot spring bathing fee included/reservation priority)
Closed Friday

Next, I feel like shopping. I stopped by Ryokan Sei Shonagon, which is located nearby. The name comes from the Heian period when Sei Shonagon wrote about the splendor of Sakakibara Hot Springs in his ``Makura no Soshi.''

When you enter the building, a large panel depicting Sei Shonagon catches your eye. Elegant atmosphere.

I purchased three items, including the original product, ``Nanakuri Manju'' containing chestnut bean paste. Everything looked delicious and I decided on it right away!

[Ryokan Seishonagon]
Address 6010 Sakakibaracho TsuCity
Phone number 059-252-0048
Business hours 8:00-20:00 (store)
Closed: Irregular holidays (store)

After this, I went to the place I learned about at Sakakibara Onsenkyo Omotenashikan. Iyama Shrine is known as a power spot for love.

I learned that the deity enshrined at this shrine is ``Oonamuchi no Mikoto,'' which is another name for ``Ookuninushi no Mikoto,'' the Izumo god who is famous as the god of marriage.

The god appeared with a lucky bag and a gavel to Daikoku-sama. Since ancient times it has been revered as the ``Myojin of good matches,'' and this mallet is also called ``Koi Kozuchi,'' which is why many young couples still visit it.

A cute heart-shaped ``matchmaking ema.'' There are many offerings. You can see how popular it is.

[yagami]
Address: 5073 Sakakibaracho, TsuCity
Phone number 059-252-1024

I was able to fully enjoy Sakakibara Onsen and its surroundings, taking hot springs, shopping, and visiting shrines! I'm hungry, so let's go to downtown TsuCity in search of some delicious gourmet food!

As I was driving, I came across a very impressive signboard that read ``Specialty Super Meat Udon''! Without hesitation, I entered "Naruto Udon Heki Branch."

The interior has a warm interior that feels like ``THE dining room''. You can enjoy your meal slowly from here.

Of course, I ordered the "Cho Meat Udon" (800 yen (tax included)). You can choose up to three times the amount of udon noodles and meat for the same price. The photo shows 3 balls with 3 times the amount of meat.

The staff of "Naruto Udon Togi Branch". Along with the amount, the udon noodles, which are made with homemade noodles and Japanese Kuroge Wagyu beef, were very delicious!

[Naruto Udon Togi store]
Address: 5538-1 hekicho TsuCity
Phone number 059-256-8111
Business hours 11:00-20:00
Closed: Open all year round

"I want to end the day at a stylish cafe!" So, I headed to Minatoya Coffee Hisai, a shop with an exotic exterior.

The interior of the store is stylish, yet has an atmosphere that anyone can feel comfortable in. If you present your Mie Food Travel Passport, you will receive an original rusk.

I ordered the ``Original Roasted Coffee'' (400 yen (tax included)), which is made with carefully selected organic roasted coffee beans. I looked back on a fulfilling day while enjoying the refreshing taste without any unpleasant tastes.

[Minatoya Coffee Hisai store]
Address 7819-1 hekicho TsuCity
Phone number 059-253-6678
Business hours 7:00-24:00
No holidays

*Information as of March 2017. Dates, prices, etc. may have changed, so please check with your contact information before going out.