Izushi Castle Town
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiIzushiIzushi is a castle town that flourished during the Edo era, about 200-300 years ago. There are several fine displays of traditional architecture found throughout the town, which is why Izushi is designated as a national preservati……
Izushi Kabuki Theatre
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiIzushiBuilt in 1901, this is the oldest Kabuki theatre in the Kansai region. It is the oldest Kabuki theatre building in Japan that is still standing in the same place it was built. After being closed in 1964, this Kabuki theatre was ……
Sukyoji Temple
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiIzushiThis zen temple was built in 1392. This was the family temple where the family of Izushi Castle had worshipped for generations. Here the Buddhist monk Takuan Soho created his namesake pickled daikon radish ("takuan"), now popula……
Ankokuji Temple
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiTantoAnkokuji is a Zen Buddhist temple with a known history dating back as far as 1345. It is a Zen Buddhist temple, part of the Haitoku-ji branch of the Rinzai School, which is one of the three Zen sects of Buddhism in Japan. The temp……
Daijyo-ji Temple
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondMikataWith beautiful paintings on the sliding doors, the entire temple is like a museum. There are 168 nationally important cultural properties, including 165 wall paintings by Ohkyo Maruyama and his disciples, a statue of the eleven-……
Tea ceremony (Daijyo-ji Temple)
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondMikataExperience a simple tea ceremony. If you don’t care for powdered green tea (matcha), it’s okay to try green leaf tea (sencha) instead. Please feel free to come and join us.
Tracing a picture of a Buddhist image (Daijyo-ji Temple)
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondMikataShabutsu (写仏) is a meditative practice of tracing a Buddhist image. It is not merely the act of tracing, but also a time to self reflect. During this type of meditation you’ll be able to find peace and be able to relax.
Transcribing a sutra (Daijyo-ji Temple)
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondMikataShakyo (写経) is a Buddhist practice to copy Buddhist scriptures. Though simple in scope, its meaning is profound. This activity is a way to develop a tranquil, bountiful state of mind.
Yabu Jinjya Shrine
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondYabuThe beautiful vermilion bridge amongst the autumn leaves is a stunning sight you can't pass up. Yabu Shrine is "Tajima no kuni sangu; Shikinaisha (Myojintaisha)" and it is called, "yabu no myojin-san." This shrine patronizes the……
Takeda Castle Ruins
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondAsagoDiscover the castle in the sky, and witness a miraculous autumn sight. "Takeda-jo-seki (Takeda Castle Ruins)" is the nationally well-known castle ruins located atop a mountain. It is well known as "Japan's Machu Picchu" and the ……
Museum for Wood Culture-A Tadao Ando Design
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondMikataExperience the powerful heavens in this building designed by Tadao Ando. Found in the forests of Mikata-gun in northern Hyogo on a 415 acre site and built by the internationally-acclaimed architect Tadao Ando. This museum was c……
Ikuno Ginzan
Art, Culture & HistoryDay Trips Around KinosakiBeyondAsagoExperience the romance and history of this 1200 year old silver mine. Here is one of Japan's best-known mines with a history of 1200 years. It was said that Silver had been mined in such an abundance that it seemed the earth was……
Mother Earth – Adventure Tours
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiTakenoMother Earth will take you on tours of Takeno coast, a designated part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Geopark and ranked in the top 100 of beautiful beaches in Japan.
Hike Nekozaki Peninsula
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiTakenoNekozaki Peninsula, found in Takeno near Takeno Hama Beach, juts out into the Sea of Japan and is the northern-most point in Hyogo Prefecture. Nekozaki in Japanese means crouching cat and looks like such from inland. The locals al……
Geopark Sea Kayaking
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiTakenoGo out to sea and paddle around in a sea kayak with a Takeno Geo Canoe, exploring the scenic views of San'in Coastal Geo Park. An instructor will accompany you and guide your tour, making it an activity that anyone can enjoy. Se……
Takeno Snorkeling and Visitor Center
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiTakenoTakeno Snorkeling Center was created by the Ministry of Environment to educate on nature and the environment. Volunteer staff run marine life observation classes both on and off shore as well as observation of the underwater envir……
Hasakari Rock
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiTakenoHasakari is local dialect that roughly translates to “stuck” or “to be wedged between”. The three rocks used to be one large rock with a cave that had been eroded by the waves. Further erosion caused the upper part of the cave to ……
Zazen Experience at Sukyoji Temple
Active & Outdoor AdventuresDay Trips Around KinosakiIzushiPractice full-fledged Zazen, seated meditation, at this zen temple in Izushi. At the end of your session you are also given the choice to try a special vegetarian dish and a traditional Japanese sweet. Zazen is limited to 10 peo……
