A model course to enjoy summer in KomonoTown to its fullest♪ We visited popular spots!

On a crisp early summer morning, our 1-night, 2-day trip begins at "Michi-no-eki Komono."
I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of trip it will be.

Once you enter the facility, you will not only be able to find out tourist information, but you will also find a wide variety of products unique to KomonoTown, including the pottery made in this town, ``Komono Banko''.

This town's specialty is ``Makomotake,'' which is the stem of the Makomo tree.
It is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family that grows in clumps in swamps and rivers, and can grow up to 2 meters in height.It is also known for its rich nutritional content. Many products using this ``Makomotake'' are also sold at Michi-no-eki.

“Yunohana Senbei” is a product recommended by the office manager, Mr. Moriwaki.
The reason for its popularity is its light, crispy texture and just the right amount of sweetness. 2018 marks the 1300th anniversary of Yunoyama Onsen's opening, so we purchased the "gold package" that can only be purchased now (on sale until March 2019).

Another thing I bought was a pocket-sized tourist guidebook called Komono Hon.
Despite being as cheap as 100 yen, it is packed full of information about KomonoTown. With its stylish cover, it will be a great souvenir of your trip!

Next, we will head to the main part of the trip, GozaishoRopeway.

Click here for a detailed interview report on “Michi-no-eki Komono”!

[Michi-no-eki Komono (2F/ KomonoTown Tourism Association)]
Address 2256 Komono, KomonoTown-gun
Phone number Michi-no-eki Komono 059-394-0116, KomonoTown Tourism Association 059-394-0050
Official URL http://www.kanko-komono.com
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 (until 17:00 from November to March) * KomonoTown Tourism Association is open until 20:00 all year round
Closed: 12/29-1/3
Access: Approximately 15 minutes from Yokkaichi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway

About 15 minutes by car from `` Michi-no-eki Komono'', you will arrive at `` GozaishoRopeway'' Yunoyama Onsen Station.
After renovation work, it reopened in July 2018, and a new type of gondola was introduced!

I'm excited to see what kind of view I can enjoy!

But before that, let's take a little detour.
Oh my God! A shop of general outdoor manufacturer "Montbell" has opened next to Yunoyama Onsen Station! We have 400 types of items to support your leisure activities comfortably.
After shopping in the brightly lit store, head to the top of the mountain by ropeway.

The view during the 2.1km long, 15-minute "Aerial Walk" is truly spectacular!
The newly introduced gondola has larger windows than previous gondolas, allowing you to enjoy the spectacular view of the Gozaisho even more than before. There's also a viewing window on the floor, so you can see what's underneath.

Time flies by so quickly that you wish you could have ridden it more.

The highlight of GozaishoRopeway is Japan's tallest steel tower, No. 6 (61m).
Built on a steep mountainside, the white pillars that stand out against the backdrop of nature are worth seeing!

Once you get off the ropeway, the fun that can only be had at the top of the mountain awaits you.
If you use the ``Sightseeing Lift'' from Sanjo Koen Station, you can get a great view of the vast Sanjo Park. The air is clear and it feels good!

The view from the observation deck "Bokodai" near the top.
Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture is about 30 km away, but on a good day, you can see Lake Biwa as the name suggests.
This is the standard location for the altitude of 1,212m.

Another recommended spot is the Fujimi Rock Observatory.
If you're lucky, you can see Mt. Fuji, which is why it gets its name, and the view from the top of the stone is so impressive that it will make you lose your footing!

I also went to the newly opened observation restaurant "Natur" after renovation in July 2018♪

It is adjacent to Yamagami Koen Station, and you can enjoy the magnificent view from the glass-walled interior. It's a luxury to be able to enjoy a meal while looking at such a view!
After enjoying the spectacular scenery to your heart's content, head to your next destination.


[GozaishoRopeway]
Address: Yunoyama KomonoTown Mie-gun
Phone number 059-392-2261
Official URL http://www.gozaisho.co.jp
Business hours 9:00-17:00
Irregular holidays
*There was a construction suspension for about two weeks in December 2018.
*Even on normal business days, operations may be suddenly canceled due to bad weather such as strong winds or lightning.
Fares <Ropeway round trip> Adults (junior high school students and older) 2,400 yen, children (4 years old to elementary school students) 1,200 yen
Access: Approximately 25 minutes from Higashi-Meihan “Yokkaichi” IC

Today's accommodation is "Shikanoyu Hotel", which is about 3 minutes by car from "Gozaisho GozaishoRopeway". 1,300 years ago, Yunoyama Onsen is also known as ``Deer Bath'' because of the legend that deer healed their wounds.
I'm looking forward to not only the hot springs, but also the rooms and the food!

A spacious lobby with a luxurious atmosphere. Just being here makes me feel happy.

Arrive at your room. A unique room called ``Makono'' where the walls are painted with the local specialty ``Makomo''.
The beautiful mountain ranges and valleys of the Suzuka mountain range stretch out in front of you, and the scenery is spectacular!

After taking a break, I headed to the hot springs.
Yunoyama Onsen is also known as the ``beauty hot spring'' due to its hot spring quality, which has a beautifying effect on the skin. Spend a relaxing time in an open-air bath surrounded by nature. My mind and body were healed.
Day-trip hot springs are also popular, and there are set plans that include bathing and meals.

Once you get out of the bath, it's time to eat.
The concept of Shikanoyu Hotel's cuisine is "healthy gourmet food." Healthy dishes made with local ingredients are popular with everyone from young women to the elderly.

I was very satisfied with the luxurious items!

[Shikanoyu Hotel]
Address 8520-1 Komono, KomonoTown Mie-gun
Phone number 059-392-3141
Official URL http://www.sikanoyu.co.jp
Business hours <Day trip bathing> 11:00-15:00
Fees: 1,000 yen for day trip bathing, 2,000 yen for 50 minutes of private bath (excluding bathing fee)
Access: Approximately 20 minutes from Yokkaichi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway

On the second day of our trip, our first stop was Aquaignis, a hot spring resort complex with the theme of "food and healing."
If you're curious about the extremely popular sweets, first go to Kataoka Onsen, which has 100% natural hot spring water.

The lobby is an open space. I am also attracted to stylish lighting.
What is the hot spring like? Expectations are at its maximum!

Finally, let's go to the hot springs. An indoor bath with a bamboo forest in front of you.
This is art. The soft, slimy water with a faint sulfur scent will leave your skin smooth.

The open-air bath surrounded by a bamboo forest is also popular. Even after getting out of the bath, your body stays warm for a long time.
Continuing from yesterday, I was healed by the hot springs again.

Next, we went to Confiture Ash, a restaurant run by world-famous chef Hirohiro Tsujiguchi.
The store is full of products that are irresistible for sweets lovers, such as cakes, baked goods, and jams!

The variety of cakes available is so rich that you will be spoiled for choice.
They all look delicious and I can't decide!

We chose Chef Tsujiguchi's masterpiece "Ceravi" (595 yen/tax included).
The combination of white chocolate mousse, raspberry and pistachio is a blissful moment when you take a bite.

The other item I chose was Rikyu (520 yen/tax included), whose color and shape are so beautiful that it would be a shame to ruin its shape. The balance between the moderate bitterness of the Uji matcha and the sweetness of the red bean paste was exquisite.

Click here for a detailed interview report on Aquaignis!

[Aquaignis]
Address 4800-1 Komono, KomonoTown Mie-gun
Phone number 059-394-7733
Official URL https://aquaignis.jp
Business hours <Kataoka Onsen> 6:00-24:00 *Varies depending on the facility. Please check the website for details.
Closed days <Kataoka Onsen> Open all year round *Varies depending on the facility.
Price Adults (junior high school students and above) 600 yen, Children (3 years old and above - elementary school students) 300 yen
Access: Approximately 15 minutes from Yokkaichi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway

About 10 minutes by car from Aquaignis, our last stop was Iwashimaya, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop.
I feel a sense of familiarity with the unadorned storefront.

Founded in 1899. The store is lined with carefully crafted products that preserve traditional flavors.

The store's signature product is "Usukawa Manju" (119 yen/tax included).
It's made using a method that hasn't changed since its founding, and the dough smells like alcohol and is filled with homemade sweet bean paste!

The store's recommended product is "Dorayaki."
There are four types: plain, bean butter, kinako, and makomono, and the fluffy texture means you can eat as many as you want! I would like to take these two products as souvenirs.

The person who explained the charm of the product was the 7th generation owner, Akira Shibata.
It makes me happy to see young people working hard to pass on traditions and culture. thank you very much!

[Iwashimaya]
Address 310 Ikezoko, KomonoTown
Business hours 7:00-20:00
Closed on Mondays (the next day if Monday is a holiday)
Phone number 059-393-2465
Access: Approximately 10 minutes from Yokkaichi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway

You can also purchase delicious souvenirs and end your trip with great satisfaction.
The ``Beautiful Skin Hot Spring'' will make your skin smooth, and the ``food'' will be perfect with luxurious dishes and sweets! Another good memory has been added!

*Information as of July 2018. Dates, prices, etc. may have changed, so please check with your contact information before going out.