🪭Off-the-Beaten-Track Travel Destinations in Owase, Japan

I. Local Tourism Features​ (1) Rich History and Culture​ Kumano Kodo - Footprints of History: As a route used by nobles in ancient times to visit the Kumano Sanzan shrines and by ascetics to travel to Ise Grand Shrine, the Kumano Kodo was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2004. Walking along the ancient path, surrounded by lush mountains and forests, you can almost hear the echoes of history. The post stations, inscriptions, and other relics along the way bear witness to the endless stream of pilgrims in past years, who, with their faith, forged this path of cultural exchange.​ Owase Shrine - Traditional Heritage: Owase Shrine, with its long history, preserves many traditional buildings, the style of which is solemn and simple, and the details of which show the exquisite skills of the craftsmen. The cultural relics in the shrine, such as the lion mask, are not only works of art, but also carry the local beliefs and legends. The annual festivals attract many people to participate, which is very lively and fully demonstrates the charm of traditional Japanese shrine culture.​ Sone Ruins - Tracing Back to Ancient Times: Pottery fragments and stone tools from the Jomon period have been unearthed here, unveiling the mystery of early human life in the area. Archaeology enthusiasts and history buffs can learn about the cultural origins and development of Owase City thousands of years ago through these precious relics.​ (2) Unique Natural Landscape​ Owase Bay - The Interweaving of Mountains and Seas: The ria coastline makes the coastline of Owase Bay winding and twisting, and the water in the bay is clear and sparkling. In the distance, the mountains and the sea complement each other, forming a beautiful picture. Here, you can leisurely enjoy the seascape, feel the sea breeze, and also participate in boat tours, sea fishing and other activities to get close to the sea.​ Kutsuki Shrine - A Paradise of Plants: Subtropical and tropical native plants and rare ferns coexist in the shrine, forming a unique ecological landscape. Walking through it is like being in a secluded green wonderland, breathing fresh air and feeling the tranquility and peace brought by the integration of nature and religious culture.​ II. Tourist Routes Two-Day Tour Route​ Day 1​ Morning: Go to the Sone Ruins, visit the unearthed cultural relics, listen to the explanation to understand the local historical origins, and start your Owase journey in the long river of history.​ Noon: Have lunch at a restaurant near the ruins. It is recommended to try the local specialty Kaisen-don, which is fresh fish sashimi on rice with a special sauce, which is delicious.​ Afternoon: Go to Kutsuki Shrine, watch rare plants, stroll along the paths full of natural atmosphere, and relax. Stay in Owase City at night, experience the local nightlife, and go to an Izakaya to taste Japanese sake and various snacks.​ Day 2​ Morning: Come to the Kumano Kodo again and choose different sections to continue in-depth exploration. The whole journey is about 27 kilometers, and you can choose a suitable section according to your physical strength and time. Enjoy the natural scenery of forests and streams along the way, and feel the tranquility and depth of the ancient road.​ Noon: Have lunch at a rest stop on the ancient road or in a nearby village, and try the local specialty bento, such as rice wrapped in bamboo leaves with pickled side dishes, full of natural flavor.​ Afternoon: After the Kumano Kodo trip, return to the city, stroll around the local traditional market, and buy some special souvenirs, such as handmade wooden products, small objects printed with Kumano Kodo elements, etc.​ III. Special Snacks​ Seafood Cuisine: Owase City is close to the sea and has abundant seafood resources. Various seafood dishes are a major feature of local cuisine. Freshly caught fish, shrimp, shellfish, etc., can be simply processed to taste the most authentic flavor of the sea. For example, sashimi, the slices of raw fish are evenly thin and thick, melt in your mouth, and the stimulating taste of wasabi and soy sauce instantly spreads in your mouth, making you want to stop; there is also seafood barbecue, where fresh seafood is grilled over charcoal fire, sizzling with oil, and fragrant, sprinkled with a little salt, original taste.​ Local Stew: The local stew is made with fresh local vegetables, meat, and mountain treasures, simmered over low heat, and the flavors of the ingredients blend together, rich and mellow. Every bite can feel the freshness and richness of local ingredients, which is a great food to warm the body and mind.​ Specialty Bento: There are many kinds of local specialty bento. In addition to the bamboo leaf bento mentioned earlier, there are also various combination bento made with local specialty ingredients. The bento box is a combination of meat and vegetables, rich in color, not only delicious, but also very portable, suitable for enjoying on the go.​ IV. Featured Attractions​ Kumano Kodo: Kumano Kodo is one of the most representative attractions in Owase City. It is surrounded by rich natural landscapes, and the scenery varies in four seasons. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and pink petals fall with the wind, adding a touch of romance to the ancient road; in summer, the trees are shady, which is a good place for hiking to escape the summer heat; in autumn, the maple leaves are like fire, and the red leaves all over the mountains decorate the ancient road like a picturesque painting; in winter, the snow-covered ancient road has a unique tranquility and beauty.​ Owase Bay: Owase Bay has a variety of marine activities. In addition to boat tours and sea fishing, you can also experience surfing, windsurfing and other water sports. Standing by the sea, looking at the sea and the sky in the distance, listening to the sound of the waves lapping on the beach, both body and mind are greatly relaxed.​ Kutsuki Shrine: In addition to the plant landscape, the architecture of Kutsuki Shrine is also quite distinctive. The shrine's torii gates, main halls and other buildings complement the surrounding natural environment, and the simple wooden buildings look particularly quiet against the backdrop of green trees. Here, you can participate in some traditional rituals of the shrine, such as praying for blessings and drawing lots, and experience Japanese religious culture.​ Owase Shrine: Every year, Owase Shrine holds grand festivals, such as the Owase Sea Asia Festival. During the festival, the area around the shrine is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, people dress in traditional costumes, carry mikoshi in parades, and there are various traditional performances, which is very lively and a great opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture.