A model course to enjoy OwaseCity to its fullest♪ We visited popular spots such as Magose-togePass!

This time, we will take a trip to the world heritage Kumano Kodo, enjoy the atmosphere of nature, and enjoy the gourmet food of HigashiKishu area.
OwaseCity is famous as a fishing town. I would also like to take some delicious seafood as a souvenir...♪

We're leaving right away! About 10 minutes from Kisei Expressway "Owase Kita" IC. The Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center, which will be the starting point of the trip, is now in sight. The beautiful linear wooden structure blends into the surrounding landscape. The building uses local natural materials such as Owase cypress and Kumano cedar.

The exchange building is spacious and has a great sense of openness. It has become a place of relaxation for tourists.

Before going to Kumano Kodo, learn about the history of Kumano Kodo at the exhibition building. The guide staff kindly taught us and deepened our knowledge of Kumano Kodo.

What caught my attention among the exhibits was the video projection diorama exhibit that allowed you to see the entire Kumano Kodo.
When you see the whole thing in this model, you can once again feel the grandeur of Kumano Kodo.

[Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center]
Address 12-4 Mukai OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-25-2666
Official URL http://www.kumanokodocenter.com
Opening hours 9:00-17:00
Closed: December 31st, January 1st (may be closed due to other maintenance, etc.)
Access: Approximately 10 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Owase Kita” IC

About 10 minutes by car from Mie Prefectural Kumano Kodo Center. We parked in a parking lot near JR Owase Station and said goodbye to the car for a while. From here, you can travel by bus or on your own. Board the bus at the Owasekiguchi bus stop, which is about a 5-minute walk from Owase Station.

The bus ride takes about 15 minutes. I arrived at the "Washige" bus stop. Climb up the beautiful stone pavement and enter the Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass.

The sound of the trees swaying in the wind and the pleasant scent of cypress will soothe your soul. Forest bathing will help you forget about your daily stress.

Thanks to the cobblestones, the mountain path is easy to walk, and even beginner mountain climbers will be happy to know that it is easy to climb. When we reached the top, we took a break on a wooden bench.

Eating a bento while overlooking the cityscape of OwaseCity is something special.

When we resumed our walk, we discovered a waterfall with beautiful water flowing down. "Makoshi Fudo Falls/Makoshi Fudoson". In the Edo period, it was said to be a sacred place where people prayed for rain during times of drought.

The sound of refreshing water is pleasant to the ears. Walking along the Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass, I was able to feel refreshed and enjoy the great outdoors!

[Magose-togePass (Kumano Kodo Iseji Route)]
Address: Kihoku-cho, KihokuTown-OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-23-3784 (HigashiKishu Regional Promotion Corporation)
Access: Approximately 5 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Kaizan” IC via National Route 42.
Or about 15 minutes from “Owasekiguchi” bus stop to “Washige” bus stop

After walking along Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass towards OwaseCity for a while, we arrived at our hotel for the day, Albergue Sankirai.

Accommodations and a cafe are located next to each other, so you can also take a short break from walking around the ancient roads. The landmark is a mountain hut-style building.

I would like to stop by the cafe and have an early dinner. The interior of the store has a retro atmosphere that makes you feel nostalgic. You can rest your tired feet from walking.

The owner listens to each guest's food order and prepares the meals for each guest when making a reservation. This is "Hamburger curry (with salad)" and is an example of a dinner menu. This is a dish that combines the deep flavor of beef curry, made with slowly simmered vegetables and meat, and the subtle sweetness of multigrain rice.

The adjacent accommodation is a detached building.
The owner and his wife wanted to create a place where they could rest during their journey, based on their experience when they completed the World Heritage Site, the Pilgrimage Route of Santiago de Compostela.

It's nice to have an inn like this where you can stay during your trip.
I would like to stay here today and prepare for tomorrow's trip. good night!

[Yama Cafe Sankirai]
Address: 1509-49 magosecho OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-22-3597
Business hours (Cafe) 10:00-16:00
Closed Monday to Thursday, closed from mid-December to February
*Temporarily open for reservations only *Accommodation facility "Albergue" is open all year round.
Access: Approximately 15 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Owase Kita” IC

good morning! After having breakfast at ``Yama Kissa Yamakirai'', we departed for OwaseCity.
Today I would like to take a walk OwaseCity.

It takes about 12 minutes to get off the mountain and walk along Kumano Kaido. Arrived at Owase Shrine.

This Owase Shrine is a shrine with deep connections to the Kumano Kodo, as it is located at the foot of the Kumano Kodo Magose-togePass and Yakiyama Pass, and is said to have been visited by people in the past to pray for safe travels and physical health. .

It is also the venue for the Yahya Festival, OwaseCity 's annual festival held in February. The Yahya Festival, where men dressed in white clash violently, is known as a strange festival and is said to be crowded with locals and many tourists. I have to come to Owase Shrine again in February!

Wow, what a wonderful tree! This large tree that seems to be overhanging the road is called ``Owase Shrine Large Camphor'' and has been designated as a prefectural cultural property. The circumference can reach up to 10 meters!

Am I the only one who feels a sense of relief when I see a big tree?

[Owase Shrine]
Address: 12-5 Kitauracho OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-22-1486
Official URL http://owasejinja.net/
Access: Approximately 5 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Owase Kita” IC

We're almost at the end of our journey! I would like to go buy some souvenirs now.
3 minutes walk from Owase Shrine. I saw a large signboard that read "Asahi Manju Honpo." This is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop along Kumano Kaido that has been running for three generations and is loved by locals.

Recommended products are seasonal Japanese sweets made using seasonal ingredients.

The photo is ``Igakuri Kinton'' and ``Kuri Kanoko.'' It's packed with the flavors of autumn.

It was created when the Kumano Kodo was registered as a World Heritage Site, and the filling is filled with homemade bean paste made from Owase deep ocean water. The autumn leaf pattern contains butter, and the fern pattern contains red peas. You now have one more nice souvenir!

I was so excited to be able to buy sweet Japanese sweets as souvenirs. Mr. Susumu Murata, the third generation, brought us colorful sweets. Thank you for the delicious Japanese sweets!

[Asahi Manju Honpo]
Address 7-22 Nakaicho OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-22-0472
Business hours 9:00-18:00
Closed on Sunday
Access: Approximately 5 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Owase Kita” IC

About 5 minutes walk from Asahi Manju Honpo.
The final destination of this trip was Ose Isamu Shoten.
This is a long-established seafood store that has been in business since 1909. You can't help but fall in love with the delicious-looking seafood lined up throughout the store!

The shop's most recommended product is ``bonito raw bonito flakes,'' which are made using a traditional method that does not use any additives.
It is stored in a vacuum pack and will last for several months. This is the perfect souvenir!

I was surprised at how much was carved out in such a short time! The flavorful aroma of bonito flakes spreads through the air.

Here is what was packed in the bag. It would be delicious if used as a soup stock for miso soup.
I'm looking forward to going home and making dinner.

Finally, I was very happy to be able to take Owase's delicious seafood as a souvenir!
Thank you to Kunihiro Ose for your hospitality!

[Ose Isamu Shoten]
Address 2-16 Sakaemachi OwaseCity
Phone number 0597-22-0563
Official URL http://www.oose-shoten.jp
Business hours 10:00-17:30
Irregular holidays
Access: Approximately 5 minutes from Kisei Expressway “Owase Kita” IC

Arrive at Owase Station in about 10 minutes on foot from Ose Isamu Shoten. The fun journey ends here.
We made some wonderful memories this time too!

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