When you make a reservation for any time from September through November with Visit Kinosaki
Enjoy One of a Kind Soba Noodles in a Town Reminiscent of the Samurai Era
Receive your replica coins, good for three free visits to any participating soba shop and One-Day bus pass at Kinosaki Onsen’s Tourist Information Center, SOZORO.
Izushi Soba
It is said that Izushi soba originated in 1706, when a soba maker from Shinano Province (now Nagano Prefecture) accompanied the newly appointed castle lord of Izushi, Masaakira Sengoku from the Sengoku clan, to Izushi. Izushi soba is traditionally served on small plates, a single serving consists of 5 plates. Then, in Izushi, if you are able to finish off at least 20 plates in one sitting, you are given a commemorative plaque called a “Soba-dori” as a fun souvenir.
Izushi Sara Soba, or Izushi plated buckwheat noodles, are served on small porcelain plates. They typically come with a side of grated giant white radish, wasabi, green onions, a raw egg and dipping sauce.
Master soba makers use a specialty knife to precisely cut the soba dough by hand. Years of training results in perfectly uniform soba noodles only millimeters thick.
Use your chopstick to measure how many plates of soba you have eaten. 20 plates stack up to the height of a single chopstick.
Family Crest
Notice the marks on the coins? The coins inside are replicas of the original form of currency used in Izushi and printed with a form of the ruling family’s family crest. Also, the large mark on the pouch is another and more common form of the Sengoku family crest and is read as “mu”.
Sightseeing in Izushi
With your Izushi Soba Pass aka pouch, you will also be given discounts to some of Izushi's most popular attractions. This includes discounted entrance to one of the Kansai Region's oldest working Kabuki theatres, Eirakukan.
Take Center Stage
The full access tour of Izushi's Kabuki theatre, Eirakukan, will put you on, behind, and under the stage. This is a rare and fantastic experience will help you feel like a real kabuki actor and take a closer look at the mysterious workings of a traditional Kabuki stage.
Serene gardens covered in rich moss.
A monk practices Zazen, a form of seated meditation at Izushi's Sukyoji (also known as Takuan-dera).
Vermillion colored torii gates create a path up to the Inari Jinjya located along the Izushi Castle Ruins. The thick covering of Japanese maple trees turn a beautiful red and gold in the autumn.
A lot of Izushi's architecture is original and protected, giving the town a nostalgic and historical feel.
Authentic Kimono Rental
For those looking for a fun and unique way to enjoy Izushi, you may want to check out Izushi's kimono rental service. For a small fee you will be able to rent a kimono and wear it anywhere in Izushi for the day. There are several styles for women to choose from and some men's kimono as well. The Izushi Soba Pouch and coins can not be used for any kind of discount for this service.
Participating Izushi Soba Shops
| SHOP NAME (Japanese reading) | Map No. | Business Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Izushi (ドライブインいずし) | 1 | 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. | No holidays |
| Jinya (陣屋) | 2 | 10:30 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Nanshi Kobito Branch (南枝小人店) | 3 | 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Shinkoro (辰鼓櫓) | 4 | 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Ouchi (おうち) | 5 | 9:00 A.M. – 20:00 P.M. | Fridays |
| Soba Chaya (そば茶屋) | 6 | 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Tentsu (天通) | 7 | 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Jinbei (甚兵衛) | 8 | 11:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Gomangoku (五萬石) | 9 | 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Yamashita (出石皿そば山下) | 10 | 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Mikura (みくら) | 11 | 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Shiroyama Garden (城山ガーデン) | 12 | 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Karoh (家老) | 13 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Sakyo (左京) | 14 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Irusaya (入佐屋) | 15 | 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Hanamizuki (花水木) | 16 | 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | No holidays |
| Daimon (大門) | 17 | 11A.M. – 2 P.M. / 6 P.M - 10 P.M. | Sundays / 1st Monday |
| Tojousoba (登城) | 18 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Tuesday |
| Honjin Tsuruya (本陣つるや) | 19 | 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | No holidays |
| Kogetsudo Uchiboriten (湖月堂内堀店) | 20 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| SHOP NAME (Japanese reading) | Map No. | Business Hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanbei (官兵衛) | 21 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Kisaragi (如月) | 22 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Koto (古都) | 23 | 10:30 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Kizan (輝山) | 24 | 10:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Shokaku Tanakaya (正覚田中屋) | 25 | 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | Thursdays, 3rd Wednesdays |
| Kinmata (近又) | 26 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Saikyoushi (彩蕎子) | 27 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Yoshimura (よしむら) | 28 | 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | Tuesdays |
| Katsura (桂) | 29 | 10:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Sobashou (そば庄) | 30 | 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Soba Fuji (そば藤) | 31 | 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
| Takuan (沢庵) | 32 | 10:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M. | No holidays |
| Izushijyo (そば処出石城) | 33 | 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Mohei (茂兵衛) | 34 | 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Sengoku (仙石) | 35 | 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Yoimise (善店) | 36 | 11:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.(closes at 3P.M. on Tuesdays) | Wednesdays |
| Ikkaku (一鶴) | 37 | 10:30 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | No scheduled holidays |
| Morino Yakata (森の館) | 38 | 10:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. | Thursdays |
| Takumiya (たくみや) | 39 | 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. | Wednesdays |
Izushi Walking & Sightseeing Map
Discounts available at these shops and attractions
- AIzushi Karoh Yashiki (former samurai residence)
- BIzushi Shiryokan History Museum
- CIzushi Meijikan - designated cultural property
- DEirakukan Kabuki Theatre
- EIzushi Tourism Center
- FIzushi Bikkura - souvenier shops
- GKiyonaga Itoh Museum of Art
Famous must see sights of Izushi
- 1Izushi Castle Ruins
- 2Vermillion torii gates to Inari Jinjya
- 3Shinkoro - Clock Tower
- 4Sakagura - sake cellars
- 5Sukyoji (Takuan-dera) Temple
- 6Eirakukan Kabuki Theatre
Rules & Regulations
-Before ordering, each person must present your bag and coins to the staff.
-A single set can not be used by multiple people.
-You are limited to using one coin per shop.
-These coins may be used between September 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018.
-Coins cannot be exchanged for cash.
Were to Get the Izushi Soba Coins & Bus Pass
- Pick Up Location
- SOZORO Kinosaki Onsen Tourist Information Center
96 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka-shi
SOZORO is located accross from JR Kinosaki Onsen Station. They are open from 8:45am to 6pm Monday - Sunday.
- What to do
- At the information counter in SOZORO let the staff know that you are there to pick up your Izushi Soba Coins and Bus Pass. You will need to show them your confirmation email that contains your reservation and redemption information. This will be sent to your reservation email account the day before your check-in date.
Getting to Izushi
Suggested Bus Times
| Weekdays (Mon-Fri) | Sat / Sun / Holidays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Location | opt 1 | opt 2 | opt 1 | opt 2 |
| Kinosaki Onsen | 10:13 | 11:33 | 10:13 | 11:33 |
| Toyooka (arrival) | 10:45 | - | - | - |
| transfer | direct bus | direct bus | direct bus | |
| Toyooka (departure) | 11:01 | - | - | - |
| Izushi | 11:31 | 12:42 | 11:05 | 12:25 |
| Weekdays (Mon-Fri) | Sat / Sun / Holidays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Location | opt 1 | opt 2 | opt 1 | opt 2 |
| Izushi | 14:55 | 15:33 | 13:40 | 16:00 |
| Toyooka (arrival) | - | 16:10 | - | 16:25 |
| direct bus | transfer | direct bus | transfer | |
| Toyooka (departure) | - | 16:16 | - | 17:31 |
| Kinosaki Onsen | 15:48 | 16:39 | 14:33 | 17:54 |
A great way to explore the beautiful castle town of Izushi. Make a reservation for any night during the time period September 1, 2018 - November 31, 2018 through Visit Kinosaki, and you will receive 3 specialty coins to be used at any three soba shops in Izushi. (*a list of participating shops can be found below) and a 1-day bus pass.
Spend a day in the old castle town of Izushi hopping around the 30 or more soba shops, exploring the old castle grounds in a kimono, or taking a backstage look at one of the oldest kabuki theatres that is still in use.
You can also use the coin purse to get discounts to various attractions in Izushi like Eirakukan Kabuki Theatre, Izushi Shiryoukan Museum, Meiji building, art museum and more.