The 10th ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato and Tawarayama Onsen was held (11/9).

Tawarayama Gastronomy Walking held for the 10th time this year!

The 10th ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato and Tawarayama Onsen was held on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

Under the catchphrase "Meguru Taberu Tsugaru," this event allows visitors to enjoy food while walking through the beautiful satoyama landscape of Tawarayama, and afterwards enjoy a hot spring bath. Seasonal foods are served at checkpoints called "gastronomy points.

This article provides an overview of the event.

Opening Ceremony - Start

Around 9:00 a.m., participants began gathering one after another at the starting point, the Yamane Stadium Tawarayama.

At 9:30, the opening ceremony began, which included Yamaguchi Prefecture's famous rice-cake making ceremony.

After that, the Tawarayama Chindon-ya performed their tricks, and finally the first group departed.

Gastronomy Point 1: Tawarayama Onsenkaku

Departing from the Yamane Stadium Tawarayama, we will first head to the Tawarayama hot spring resort area.

Hot Spring Pavilion

The Tawarayama Gastro Plate was offered at Tawarayama Onsenkaku, a facility located in the center of the hot spring resort.
For beverages, visitors can enjoy non-alcoholic sangria with red wine and Tawarayama yuzukichi.

Gastronomy Point 2: Farmhouse Edge Cafe ①.

Leaving Tawarayama Onsenkaku, we will continue to the next gastronomy point while enjoying the surrounding landscape.

After walking 1.5 km, you will arrive at the second gastronomy point, Farmhouse Edge Cafe (1).
Here, you can taste oden and sake, as well as experience harvesting yuzukichi, a specialty of Nagato City.

(1) Farmhouse Rim Café (1)

Harvested yuzukichi being made into juice

Gastronomy Point 3: Farmhouse Edge Cafe (2)

(2) Farmhouse Edge Cafe (2)

At the third gastronomy point, freshly baked sweet potatoes, persimmons, pickles, and salted boiled taro were served.

The taste of baked sweet potatoes baked up close around a bonfire was exceptional, and the participants were very pleased.

bald or denuded mountain

After nourishing yourself at each point, you will cross the mountain path of "Kirihageyama" (Mt. Kirihage).

Because of the steep slopes, you will also be given a handmade walking stick with a bell to protect you from bears at the entrance to the mountain.

Gastronomy Point 4: Shimoyasuda Forestry Community Center

Shimoyasuda Forestry Community Center

After crossing Mount Kirihage, you will arrive at the fourth gastronomic point.
Here, we could enjoy sweets such as chestnuts boiled in astringent skin and baked sweets, yuzukichi spice syrup, and coffee syrup.

Also at this point, a yoga experience was held by Ms. KANAKO, a yoga instructor from Tawarayama.
Many people participated to relax and relieve foot fatigue.

Gastronomy Point 5: Mara Kannon

△Mara Avalokitesvara (bodhisattva of mercy and salvation)

The last gastronomic point is located in front of the "Mara Kannon".

Here, dishes such as shishi-jiru, yakitori, pressed sushi, and gibier sausage were served.

A short distance down from Gastropoint is "Godan Falls," where everyone enjoyed the autumn leaves and scenery.

goal

Around 2:00 p.m., everyone started arriving at the finish line one after another.
At the goal, participants were given souvenirs such as Tawarayama's famous "monkey buns".

There were also booths where visitors could purchase wild herb tea and pickles offered at each gastronomy point.

This year's event was held under clear skies and pleasantly cool autumn air.
We look forward to seeing you again next year!