The 8th ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato Tawarayama Onsen” Event Report

Walking event with spectacular views and food in Tawarayama

The 8th ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato/Tawarayama Hot Springs was held on Saturday, November 12 in the Tawarayama Hot Springs area of Nagato City.

This event is a walk through the beautiful scenery of the Tawarayama Hot Springs area of Nagato City, with checkpoints called "gastronomy points" where visitors can enjoy seasonal foods and other activities.

In this report, we provide photos of participants enjoying the event.

start

The approximately 100 participants were divided into five groups, starting at different times. At 10:00 AM, the first group departed from the Yamane Stadium Tawarayama.

Maps showing the course were distributed to the participants.

The weather was fine, and we started out in the warm morning sun. First, we headed for Tawarayama Onsen town.

The first group of △1 starts.

Right from the start, we could enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves.

Gastronomy Point 1: Tawarayama Onsenkaku

The first gastronomic point is Onsenkaku, located in the heart of the Tawarayama hot spring resort area.

Each point is operated by local residents and student volunteers

Onsenkaku offered the "Tawarayama Gastro Plate".

Tawarayama Gastro Plate" (smoked deer, sesame tofu, deep-fried vegetables, chestnut wrapper) at Onsenkaku

Each gastropoint will also offer a variety of sake from Yamaguchi Prefecture, mainly from the Nagato City neighborhood.

Tawarayama's local sake "Horebore" was served at Onsenkaku

Gastronomy Point 2-1: Farmhouse Edge Cafe (Part 1)

After passing through the hot spring resort area, walk through the satoyama to the next gastropoint, the Farmer's Edge Cafe.

Beautiful scenery of Tawarayama in clear autumn weather

There were two "farmer's edge cafes," the first of which served "gibier canapés" and other dishes.

Gibier Canapé

The sake at this point is "Otters" by Asahi Shuzo Co. There is also a contract farmer in Tawarayama who produces rice for "Otters".

Experience Point 1: Yuzukichi Migi Experience

At the Farmer's Edge Cafe, visitors were able to try their hand at harvesting yuzukichi. Everyone was picking yuzukichi while weighing it down for the kilometer-long walk that lay ahead.

Gastronomy Point 2-2: Farmhouse Edge Cafe (Part 2)

A 10-minute walk from the first farmhouse-edge café brings you to the second café.

At this point, we enjoyed roasted potatoes, roasted chestnuts, and many other seasonal foods.

In addition, Japanese sake was enjoyed "Choyo Fukumusume" by Iwasaki Shuzo Co.

Difficulty: Mt. Kirihage

After passing through the café, you will enter Mt. Kirihage, the most difficult part of the Tawarayama course.

(Cane is also available at the toughest point.

(2) A water absorption point was also set up at the top, where visitors could take a break.

Gastronomy Point 3: Kamiyasuda Forestry Community Center

Descending Mount Kirihage, you will reach the next gastronomic point.

Chestnuts, persimmons, and wild plant tea were served here.

Experience Point 2: Yoga in Shimoyasuda Bamboo Forest

After a 10-minute walk from the village center, we arrived at the second experience point. This is a plaza surrounded by a bamboo grove. We will do yoga under the guidance of a local yoga instructor, Ms. Fujii, to refresh our minds and bodies.

Bamboo grove with a world of light and silence is truly a power spot!

△Yoga instructor Ms. Fujii

Gastronomy Point 4: Mara Kannon

From the bamboo grove, walk again to the plaza in front of the Mara Kannon.

Here you will find oden, gibier sausage, yakitori, chestnut sushi, and other dishes that will fill you up.

Oden is a large oden dish made in a large pot!

Toyo Bijin Jipangu" from Sumikawa Shuzojo was served at this point.

After this, we will finally head for the goal.

GOAL!

They will conquer the course, which is approximately 10 km long, and reach the goal with smiles on their faces.

After reaching the goal, participants received a "hot spring bathing ticket," a typical Tawarayama souvenir "Sanzen manju" and "onsen no moto" to enjoy Tawarayama hot spring at home.

This year's "ONSEN Gastronomy Walk" was blessed with clear skies and warm days. We hope you were able to fully enjoy "exploring," "eating," and "bathing" at Tawarayama in the fall. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Related Links

Tawarayama Onsen