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City in Kansai, Japan
Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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馬越峠
A popular hiking trail on the Kumano Kodo - Ise-ji Route. There is a hiking trail which leads to Mt. Tengura, overlooking Owase City.
熊野古道センター
Constructed entirely from cypress wood (the tree of Owase), the Kumano Kodo Centre features exhibits on the origins and history of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. A playground, also made entirely from cypress, is located nearby.
夢古道の湯
A deep sea water onsen, which has healing properties, as well as sauna rooms.
尾鷲神社
This shrine is a historical monument in Owase. It's well known for an ancient, sacred tree which is aged over 1,000 years old. Also the venue for every year's Ya Ya Matsuri.
金剛寺
Built during the Edo Era, the Kongō-ji has two fierce-looking deity statues guarding the entrance.
三木里ビーチ
A beautiful white sandy beach, with clear turquoise waters.
須賀利
Sugari is best accessed by a 20-minute ferry ride from Owase Port. It is an untouched, beautiful fishing village with friendly residents who would be more than happy to show visitors around. As of 2008, Sugari has a declining population of less than 200 people, with the majority aged above 60 years old.
普済寺
A Sōtō Zen temple founded in 1624 that has watched over the fishing village of Sugari for around 400 years. Its current main hall was rebuilt in 1861 by a master carpenter who was an ancestor of the Takenaka Corporation, one of Japan's oldest construction companies.
九鬼
Like Sugari, Kuki is also a beautiful fishing town. If you are lucky, you will be able catch seagulls and comorant fishing at its best. Try the famed Kuki's tiger rolls, which come in two flavours - red bean or fresh cream.
イタダキ市
A monthly market featuring over 40 stalls where you can buy Owase's local produce such as fresh seafood, dried fish, sea salt, and jam. At the market, you'll also be able to enjoy special dance and taiko performances by the locals.
ヤーヤ祭り
The biggest festival in Owase is the Ya Ya Matsuri. In the evenings of the 2nd to the 4th, men parade around the streets, jostling each other and chanting "Ya Ya" while drinking sake before the "chosen" ones dive into the sea to purify themselves. The festival ends off with a day-long street parade on the 5th featuring dance performances and finally, an archery contest at Owase Jinja.
おわせ港まつり
A summer festival showing an impressive fireworks display.
八幡神社例祭
This festival marks a tribute to the Hachiman Jinja, located near the Owase Port. It begins with a day-long parade before culminating at the shrine.
ことぶき食堂
This old restaurant has food that is great tasting and comes in huge portions. Recommended eats include the Giant Katsu Set, Giant Ebi Fry Set, Inoshishi (wild boar) Don and Champon (Nagasaki Noodles).
もりば
Moriba is well loved for its Tempura, Tebasaki (Chicken wings) and Miso Katsu.
鬼瓦
If you'd like to experience the freshness of Owase's sea produce, this is the place to go. The sashimi set meal comes in 3 sizes and is highly recommended for sashimi lovers.
好好飯天
A Chinese restaurant offering refined Chinese food. Popular dishes include the ten shin han, mapo han, and the pirikara szechuan ramen.
平和園
For a taste of authentic Chinese food, visit Hei Wa En. The owners come from Dahlian, China and serve traditional Chinese food.
かっぽう田舎
Famous for its affordable lunch sets consisting of 8 small side dishes, typically usually sashimi, a stewed meat, vegetables, soup, and rice.
なか尾
Get your fill of collagen filled tonkotsu ramen at this ramen house.
夢古道 お母ちゃんのランチバイキング
Popular for its "all you can eat" country style buffet every Sunday. Run by an NPO, meals are prepared by 4 groups of volunteers (very friendly obasans), who take turns to cook every week. It's delicious country-style, home-cooked food that you won't be able to taste in typical Japanese restaurants. The buffet is so famous that some people travel from Nagoya or Osaka to eat it. Go early to prevent disappointment.
By train
From Osaka, take a Kintetsu train to Matsusaka. At Matsusaka, take the JR to Owase.
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