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The "1-Day Local Tour" introduces local Osaka highlights that are known only to those in the know. This time, we focus on Kawachinagano City, located in the southeastern part of Osaka Prefecture. This city, rich in nature and history, is dotted with charming shops and facilities, both old and new. Yumin, a native of Kawachinagano City, guided us on a short trip to visit her recommended spots.
Located about 30 minutes by train from Nankai Namba Station, Kawachinagano City is a city away from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by beautiful scenery throughout the seasons. It has flourished as a transportation hub since ancient times, and Koyakaido in particular has served as the gateway to Mount Koya.
Kawachinagano City is dotted with historic temples and shrines, including Amanosan Kongoji Temple, designated an Important Cultural Property, and Kanshinji Temple, associated with Kusunoki Masashige, and is dotted with spots where you can experience Japanese culture. As of April 2024, the city has a total of 85 registered national treasures and important cultural properties, ranking 12th among cities nationwide.
Kawachinagano is also known as a producer of traditional toothpicks. Many of the domestically produced toothpicks are manufactured by Kikusui Sangyo, located in the city, and these high-quality toothpicks make a popular souvenir.
Kawachinagano City is a city where nature, history, and technology come together. Yumin, who was born and raised in the city and often spends time in the local area in her free time, will introduce some hidden gems, both old and new, perfect for dates, including the Kansai Cycle Sports Center, cafes, and wine bars.
Guide
A true Osaka native, born and raised in Kawachinagano, she works for HEAVEN Japan, a lingerie manufacturer with a strong Osaka flavor, based in Kawachinagano City. While disseminating information about the products as a PR representative, she also uses her know-how to work on projects to liven up the local area. She likes flashy, funky, and cluttered things. Her charming feature is her forehead.
Enjoy the attractions 30 meters above the ground at the Kansai Cycle Sports Center!
The first place we visited was the Kansai Cycle Sports Center. It opened in 1974 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. It features a variety of bicycle-themed attractions, including unique and unusual bicycles and cycle coasters, and it seems to have been attracting many visitors from overseas recently.
The famous "unusual bicycles" include single-seater and two-seater bicycles. There are over 100 types and about 300 bicycles waiting on the course!
"Actually, I just came here with some friends the other day (laughs). I usually take photos with everyone, so I choose a bike based on its appearance, but today I thought I'd try something a little different," said Yumin. First, we selected a two-seater bike and set off! We pedaled off with ease.
A distinctive feature of the Kansai Cycle Sports Center is that there are many bicycles that can be ridden by friends or couples. If you pedal together in unison, you'll surely feel closer to each other...
There are even bikes that can be used to train your upper body in the same way as gym machines.
These unusual bicycles are manufactured in a factory in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and exude Made in Japan quality and playfulness.
Next up is the main attraction, the Cycle Parachute!
This is another attraction recommended by Yumin. As you pedal, you'll rise 30 meters into the air and enjoy a spectacular cycling experience with a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain.
The Sky Cycle Walker is also a very popular ride. At first glance, it looks like a roller coaster, but it's actually a bicycle. It's an attraction that travels about 8 meters above the ground.
Compared to electric roller coasters, this attraction may seem gentler, but there is a hidden mechanism that sways back and forth along the way, giving you a thrilling experience.
After playing for a while, we were hungry, so we had lunch at Green House, located near Sky Cycle Walker.
The snack menu and sweets are perfect for snacking on while you play, and there is also a wide selection of hearty food.
The Kansai Cycle Sports Center is a popular spot for local excursions, but it's also great fun for adults! It's great that everyone can enjoy themselves, regardless of age, likes, or dislikes. Personally, I also like the original song of the Cycle Sports Center that plays throughout the park. The great tempo is addictive!
Enjoy ancient rice amazake and fermented foods produced by a sake brewery that has been in business since the Edo period!
We took a bus from the Kansai Cycle Sports Center to Kawachinagano Station, and then headed to Koyakaido. Koyakaido prospered as a pilgrimage route to Mount Koya, and post towns and merchant houses developed along the way. A five-minute walk from the station brings you to a landscape filled with the romance of history, featuring old mansions, oil shops, sake breweries, and other buildings.
Suddenly, a large sake barrel appears! This is a spot that symbolizes "Koyakaido."
We visited Saijo Partnership Limited, the brewery behind Amano Sake, a brand with over 300 years of history. In addition to 13 varieties of standard sake, the brewery also carries seasonal limited edition sake that can only be purchased at the brewery.
The shop, which utilizes part of a warehouse built at the end of the Edo period, stocks not only the Amano sake series, but also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages and fermented foods made with koji (malt).
Yumin picked up "Amanosake Ancient Rice Koji Amazake." Its subtle red bean color, a blend of the colors of ancient rice and rice koji, is eye-catching. This popular product lets the delicious flavors of rice and koji spread throughout your mouth.
According to the 10th generation owner, Saijo Yozo, the roots of Amano Sake were founded in 1718 (Kyoho 3). Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have also been a fan of the sake from this brewery. In recent years, a project to revive the sake by recreating the original brewing methods has been a success. The brewery produces a wide variety of products while respecting tradition.
The water used has a big impact on the taste of sake, and Amano Sake's standard brand is characterized by its "sweet taste, typical of Osaka sake." It has a savory flavor that stands up to strong seasonings such as simmered dishes, and "it goes well with traditional sweet dishes made by Osaka moms," he told us.
We also had the opportunity to sample some of their signature fermented foods. "The combination of miso or soy sauce with koji is delicious and good for you because they're both fermented foods. Don't hesitate to ask for alcohol recommendations. If you tell me what you're having for dinner tonight, I'll be happy to recommend the perfect bottle," said Saijo.
Amano Sake's sake and fermented food are both delicious! The atmosphere of the store and the aroma that wafts through the air are unique to a sake brewery. Koyakaido is a landscape I've been familiar with since I was a child, but I only realized its beauty as an adult. Nagano Shrine, where I personally have fond memories of a festival, is also wonderful, so I recommend you visit it as well.
Take a break while shopping at I STAND FOR GOD'S SIDE, a vintage clothing and cafe
After one stop on the Nankai train from Kawachinagano Station, we got off at Chiyoda Station. It's the closest station to Yumin's workplace and is one of the towns she's familiar with. "Chiyoda is a convenient area with lots of restaurants and shops," she says. Here we'll introduce some new spots.
Walking down the main street that continues from the station, we arrived at a notable second-hand clothing and coffee shop.
"I STAND FOR GOD'S SIDE" is a shop that sells original apparel and second-hand clothing purchased overseas. Part of the first floor operates as a cafe, "I STAND FOR CAFE SIDE." It has become popular as a space where you can take a break while enjoying your shopping. Yumin had wanted to go for a long time, and was delighted to say, "I finally made it!"
While sipping their carefully selected coffee, I explored the store. As you'd expect from a vintage clothing lover, the conversation with the staff was lively.
In order to offer second-hand clothing at reasonable prices, they purchase directly from overseas, hoping that "young people will drop by." As Yumin picked out something that caught her eye from the racks, she said, "The fun of second-hand clothing is that you can try out bold designs and colors. When you get inspired by something you like, it can also become inspiration for your work."
They have so many clothes and it's so relaxing...I end up staying for a long time (laughs). If it had been here when I was in high school, I would definitely have gone there all the time! I also love the store owner's desire to "create a place where young people can gather and liven up the town," so I hope you'll also get to experience the personalities of the staff.
Immerse yourself in the afterglow of your trip with exquisite sweets and wine at Parlor Nishimura
As night begins to fall, the tour draws to a close. Located just a short walk from Chiyoda Station, Parlor Nishimura is a sweets and wine shop opened in October 2021 by Takaya Nishimura, owner of the popular Nishimura Patisserie in Kawachinagano. "I wanted customers to enjoy something that couldn't be expressed through takeaway sweets," he said, and the shop offers a relaxing time.
Yumin chose the most popular dessert, Crepe Suzette. The fruits used change with the seasons. Nishimura, who is also a certified "wine expert," recommended pairing it with white wine.
From the moment the plate was brought to the table, the aroma of butter and orange filled the air.
On the other hand, our original bagels are also popular. We have selected sparkling wine to go with our takoyaki-style bagels, which are made with octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and more.
The combination of freshly baked, authentic sweets and wine is sure to put you in a good mood. It's a great way to enjoy a treat at the end of the day. Nishimura Confectionery is so popular that it's often said that "when it comes to delicious cakes in Kawachinagano, it's Nishimura Confectionery," but they're also challenging themselves with new business models, and it's cool that they're doing it locally.
Enjoy a refreshing and relaxing day in Kawachinagano, where tradition and innovation blend together
The extraordinary atmosphere of the Kansai Cycle Sports Center, the atmosphere of Koyakaido, the cafes where you can't help but relax, and the exquisite sweets and wine... Yumin recalls, "By coincidence, the first half of the tour introduced classic and historical spots, and the second half introduced new shops. I think people got to see both the old and new sides of Kawachinagano." She also said that she felt the energy of the people who welcomed her at each location.
Although the one-day tour was packed with nature and culture, Yumin still had a lot to show us. "From spring to autumn, there are plenty of places to enjoy outdoor activities like barbecues and camping. It's only a quick train ride from Osaka city, so even if you suddenly find yourself with some free time, feel free to drop by!" Her expression revealed her love for her hometown, which has only grown stronger than ever.
*This article was migrated from “Shittonka Osaka.” The information provided is current as of March 2025 and may differ from current conditions. Please check the official websites of each store or facility for the latest operating hours and details.
Photo：Satoru Kitagawa
Edit：Yoshiya Minamino
Direction：NINGEN Editorial Department（NINGEN Inc.）
