See Kinosaki Onsen’s Samurai Town! Izushi Must-Visits Pass
The Izushi Must-Visits Pass is your all-access ticket for Izushi Castle Town’s key attractions and shops.
Izushi is a castle town popular for its nostalgic atmosphere of historic Japan. The town has many attractions, including the Izushi Castle Ruins, Samurai House Karoyashiki and Eirakukan Kabuki Theater. There are also many local specialties such as Izushi Pottery, Willow Craft and Izushi Sara Soba noodles.
What’s Included
One Must-Visits Pass per person. Valid for three consecutive days. Each guest will receive one Must-Visits Pass plus a map of participating businesses. Valid for entry here:
- Samurai House Karoyashiki
- Eirakukan Kabuki Theater or Izushi History Museum
- Sweets and Snacks (choose two participating shops)
- Three plates of soba noodles at three different soba restaurants
Samurai House Karoyashiki
Samurai House Karoyashiki is the former residence of a high-ranking samurai living in Izushi long ago. It now holds many samurai artifacts, and from the outside it looks like a one-story building. But once you step inside, you will discover a two-story building full of secrets to deceive enemy spies, and a photo opportunity with the samurai lord himself!
Eirakukan Kabuki Theater
Eirakukan Kabuki Theater is the oldest working kabuki theaters in Kansai and one of Japan’s most famous. Built in 1901, this is where various performances are regularly held. A visit to Eirakukan Kabuki Theater offers rare experiences to feel like a real kabuki actor and invites you to take a closer look at the mysterious workings of a traditional kabuki stage by putting you on, behind and under the stage.
Izushi History Museum
The Izushi History Museum is housed in the former residence of the Fukutomi family—wealthy merchants who traded raw silk and cast metal products. Visitors can discover historical documents, samurai armor and relics during a walk through the main building, annex and storehouse.
Izushi Sara Soba Noodles
Soba, or buckwheat noodles, is a favored dish in Japan and Izushi Sara Soba is Izushi Castle Town’s specialty! While soba is usually served in large dishes, Izushi Sara Soba comes in small portions on small plates to display local Izushi porcelain pottery. At the 1904 World Expo, Izushi Pottery gained international recognition after receiving a gold medal. Now, it is registered as one of Japan’s national traditional crafts.
Choose three soba noodle restaurants from more than 30 locations in town for a noodle-hopping lunchtime!
Taste test various traditional sweets and snacks at these participating shops (choose two shops)!
- Kanoboku (ice cream)
- Kogetsudo (Japanese sweets)
- Izushido (candy)
- Nagomi Cafe (coffee)
- Michikake (wine)
- Shiroyama Garden (beer)
Booking is easy!
- Reserve your Must-Visits Pass online here.
- Receive confirmation email from Visit Kinosaki.
- Pick up your Must-Visits Pass and map at Sozoro Tourist Information Center in front of Kinosaki Onsen Station (96 Kinosakicho Yushima, Toyooka, Hyogo 669-6101). Show staff your confirmation email from Visit Kinosaki.