Sayo-cho

Highlight

Post-station Town Hirafuku

The Hirafuku district, which once flourished as one of the major post-station towns on the Inaba Kaido highway, recalls the good old days. Traditional Japanese houses, each of which has a main entrance on the side that runs parallel to the roof's ridge, with lattice windows; and flat houses, river houses of white walls lined up along the Sayo River; and buildings with white walls, are the unique scenery of Hirafuku. In 2014, a promenade was constructed, from which people can enjoy seeing the riverside landscape of Hirafuku.

There are many various facilities around the post-station town of Hirafuku. They include Banshu Hirafuku Shakunage-no-Sato (a magnificent-scale rhododendron garden), Roadside Station Shukubamachi Hirafuku (a souvenir shop), Uryubara (a Japanese-style restaurant, in a renovated old private house of the Edo period), Tasunoya Shoyu Honten (a soy sauce manufacturer with a 300-year history), and Kioku (a rural café in an old Japanese-style house where you can relax and enjoy tea). Many historical sites remain as well, including the ruins of Rikanjo Castle, and the first fighting place of Miyamoto Musashi, an expert Japanese swordsman. This is a town where visitors can spend a relaxing time.

《Sayo-cho Hirafuku Sightseeing Guide Association》 (Charged)

If you need a sightseeing guide, make a reservation with Shukubamachi Hirafuku at least 7 days before the desired date. You will be guided in accordance with your desired schedule.

Data

Roadside Station Shukubamachi Hirafuku

Location: 988-1 Hirafuku, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5331

Tel.: 0790-83-2373

Access: 3-minute walk from Chizu Express Hirafuku Station

Morning Mist of Mt. Onade

The morning mist of Sayo, seen from late autumn through early winter, covers the whole town. Its fantastic beauty is known all over the country.

A sea of clouds that can be seen from Mt. Onade is very mysterious, and it is a popular spot where plenty of people visit from within and beyond the prefecture.

Data

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: Approximately 6 km from Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo Station)

Great Ginkgo Tree

This large ginkgo tree, which is said to be 1,000 years old, is the prefecture’s designated important cultural property.

The leaves of this tree turn gold in autumn, bringing color to the town of Sayo.

Data

Location: Sayo district, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: 10-minute walk from Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo Station)

Hiryu-no-taki Fall

The rock cliff around the central part of the waterfall protrudes and the flow of water is changing. It is said that the name of this waterfall, which means a flying dragon in Japanese, was given because the water flow looks like a dragon.

This waterfall was used for the background for the credits of NHK’s long-running historical TV drama series “Gunshi Kanbei.”

Data

Location: Kushida district, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: 50-minute walk from Chizu Express Kuzaki Station

Sayotsuhime Shrine

This old shrine honors Sayotsuhimenomikoto, a figure that was introduced in a topography entitled “Harima Fudoki,” compiled 1,300 years ago. The shrine holds an autumn festival on October 30, attracting crowds of many worshippers.

Data

Location: 284 Hon’iden, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5306

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: 30-minute walk from Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo Station)

Ruins of Fukuhara Castle

This castle fell to Kuroda Kanbei and Takenaka Hanbei. Currently, there is a shrine that honors Fukuhara, the founder of the castle. It is said that the lord was clear headed and that is the reason the shrine is commonly called Kobesan (literally, Mr. Head).

Data

Location: Sayo district, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: 20-minute walk from Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo Station)


Eating

Horumon Udon Noodles

Sayo’s horumon udon noodles are characterized by fresh beef intestines, vegetables, and udon noodles grilled on a hot steel plate, dipped in special sauce, and eaten. Each shop prepares special sauce unique to the shop.

Data

Location: Around Sayo district, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo

Tel.: 0790-82-0670 (Sayo-cho Commerce & Industry and Tourism Division)

Access: Around Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo Station)

Deer Croquette

Sayo’s deer meat is used for this croquette. Deer meat is low in calories but rich in protein. Furthermore, it is very rich in iron and other minerals. The meat of deer from near the mountains is a safe natural ingredient.

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Roadside Station Shukubamachi Hirafuku

Location: 988-1 Hirafuku, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5331

Tel.: 0790-83-2373

Access: 3-minute walk from Chizu Express Hirafuku Station


Experience

Nishi-Harima Astronomical Observatory

This observatory incorporates a large number of observation facilities including Nayuta, the world’s largest telescope. The observatory has lodge accommodations where groups of visitors and families can stay overnight. An observation event is held for lodgers every night. Space-related events are held throughout the year, where participants can learn about the universe and stars.

Data

Location: 407-2 Nishigaichi, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5313

Tel.: 0790-82-0598

Access: 10-minute taxi ride from Chizu Express Sayo Station (JR Sayo)


Accommodations

Sasagaokaso

Guests can enjoy Kaiseki cuisine, the ultimate style of Japanese food, with seasonal tastes and various pot dishes in winter. After eating, guests can spend a relaxing time in the Fuji lava bath. Visitors can use the bathing and dining facilities without spending the night. Sasagaoka Park, which is adjacent to the inn, is a cherry blossom viewing spot visited by many tourists in spring. The park includes a square, athletic playground equipment, and a big slide. It is very popular with children.

Data

Location: 423-11 Enkoji, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5642

Tel.: 0790-88-0149

Access: 15-minute walk from Chizu Express Kuzaki Station

Yu Ai Ishii

Yu Ai Ishii has guestrooms with herbal names, a coffee shop, a restaurant, a multipurpose hall, a barbecue garden, and a gymnasium that can be enjoyed.

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Location: 764-1 Kamiishii, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5322

Tel.: 0790-85-0100

Access: A pickup bus is available from Chizu Express Ishii Station

Nanko Nature Observation Village

This all-season campground includes tent sites where auto camping is available, accommodation cottages, cabins available to groups, treehouses, and bath facilities.

Data

Location: 222 Funakoshi, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5227

Tel.: 0790-77-0160

Access: 20-minute taxi ride from Chizu Express Fukuhara Station