Toyooka, Kinosaki, and Izushi (Toyooka City, Hyogo Pref.)

The Kinosaki Onsen village has a pleasant atmosphere, with seven outdoor baths, a three-story wooden inn building and willow trees lining the river banks. A ticket that is valid at all of the seven outdoor baths is issued to guests staying at the inn, and the ticket can be used at any time while you are staying at the inn.

Known as the little Kyoto of Tajima, long ago, the castle and stronghold of the lord of Izushi was located here, from which he governed about a sixth of Japan. Now you can stroll through the old traditional castle town or take a rickshaw (reservation required).

Including the castle town Izushi, there are several locations in Toyooka City where you can take part in a soba buckwheat noodle making program lead by a soba professional, such as at Tajima or Takeno.

The streets of the city retain the old atmosphere of the castle town, and the commercial district is laid out in a rectangular pattern like the lines on a Go board. Here you can take leisure walks through the old castle town and enjoy the castle site, residential sites, and the old clock tower facilities.

Soba buckwheat noodles are served on an Izushi earthenware plate, with spices and soup stock in an earthenware sake bottle. Made in the traditional way, this soba dish has a wonderful, simple taste.

Held every year on the 3rd of November, this festival features a "daimyo gyoretsu" (feudal lord procession) of 150 children and adults dressed in the Edo Period style (17th through the 19th century).

Daimyo gyoretsu:

A feudal lord procession to the capital in Edo (Tokyo).