Tour, enjoy, and bathe at Tawarayama Onsen

Enjoy the nature, scenery and food of Tawarayama Onsen!

On Saturday, June 16, the "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato/Tawarayama Onsen" was held, walking a 9-km course around Tawarayama Onsen.

The "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking" is a walking tour to experience the charms of hot spring resorts by walking through the area and enjoying the rich nature, scenery, cuisine using local ingredients, and local sake. This will be the third time the event has been held, following last July and this March.

After the departure ceremony, the more than 60 participants were divided into three groups to start the tour. They were high-fived by the staff as they began their walk through the hot spring resort.

After an explanation of the history and townscape of Tawarayama Onsen and a visit to the source along the river, you will continue on a path through the dazzling greenery of the satoyama.

The first gastropoint (gourmet station) that comes into view is the "Farmer's Edge Cafe. Here you can taste "canapés of deer stewed in minced meat" and "otters", a local sake.

Pour it into the bamboo cup handed to you at the reception and toast immediately! The aroma of the bamboo also adds a nice accent.

Tawarayama's "wild herb tea" was also available at each point, which was also well received for its refreshing and "delicious" taste.

Further north, the Spring Water Café came into view.

When we went around to the back of the house, the first thing we noticed was the cool spring water. There we tasted cooled vegetables, stewed and pickled vegetables, and amazake (sweet sake), and were healed by the gentle taste of nature.

A deep breath in front of the full view from the garden of a private house. Now, it's time to start again.

Welcome to Hunter's Mountain!"

After the 4 km point, the course begins to climb.

The "apprentice hunter" who greeted us showed us the "animal trails," the paths left by animals on the mountain surface. And if things get tough ahead, there is a weapon. He left us with these words and headed for the summit.

Weapons?" A question mark appears among the participants.

The gradient was getting steeper and my feet were getting heavier. What caught my eye was a bamboo walking stick.

Reinvigorated once again with their trusty "weapons" in hand, the participants finally arrived at the top of Hunter's Mountain.

They touched furs, tried their hand at mountain biking, and enjoyed other experiences with the "apprentice hunters" that they would not normally have the chance to do.

We wave to the hunters and leave the summit. From here, it is a downhill trail.

Gradually, a tent nestled in the rice paddies comes into view: the third gastropoint, the Panorama Aozora Restaurant.

Here we enjoyed local sake "Ottersai" and "Tawarayama Horebore," as well as "three kinds" of chicken meat ham, carpaccio-style salad, and edamame tofu. We enjoyed the special flavors that made us forget the fatigue of crossing the mountains.

With a third of the course remaining, a handmade scarecrow guides you south down the prefectural road, leading you to step off the road and inside.

Bamboo, bamboo, bamboo spread out before your eyes. The place, titled "Bamboo Forest of Silence," is a place where one can experience yoga. The sound of soft bamboo mats and rustling leaves soothed me as I slowly stretched my body and refreshed my mind and body.

And the last gastro point is the special "Seseragi-tei" at Mara Kannon. This is the point where you can enjoy gourmet food while listening to the sound of the river.

Here, as today's main dish, "akamoku/kama-age donburi," which boasts a unique stickiness, "grilled wild boar with foil," whose aroma of miso spreads as soon as the package is opened, "simmered seasonal vegetables in soup" and "tomato agar" were served.

When we asked the participants what was memorable about the menus they had received so far, the answers were quite varied. The answers were quite varied. Some said that all the menus were creative and that they were satisfied with all of them.

Finally, the last spurt. Crossing over the river with a view of "Godan-no-taki Waterfall," we will head for the hot spring resort area.

University students were in charge of guiding participants and assisting staff at each point. They supported the event with cheerful greetings and smiles.

Then, just before 3:00 p.m., the goal was reached without incident!

A board reflecting on the event was also placed at the finish line. Participants spent the day enjoying the charms of the Tawarayama area, not only in terms of the food and scenery, but also in terms of the personalities and atmosphere of the local people who greeted them at each point. All participants who completed the walk were also given bathing passes, and some walked directly to the hot springs.

We received postcards from participants who have participated in this event three times in a row and were the first to return to the finish line in each case. Thank you again for your participation!

The fourth edition of the "ONSEN Gastronomy Walking in Nagato Tawarayama Hot Springs" is scheduled for Saturday, November 17 this year. We hope that many people will come again to enjoy the charms of the Tawarayama area.

Related Links

Tawarayama Onsen

Tawarayama Onsen Unlimited Partnership

Official] Onsen Gastronomy Walking