Uwajima Castle is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castle towers and No. 83 on the list of Japan's Top 100 Castles! Although the small keep doesn't have much information on display, its old wooden structure is its most precious treasure. Walking on the floorboards and hearing them creak feels like sharing the same moment in time with people from long ago. The view from the top floor of the keep is also captivating! Even more surprising, admission is only JPY 200. There aren't many tourists or much of a commercial atmosphere, and it's as peaceful as a neighborhood park. Besides the keep, the stone walls are another major highlight. Anyone who enjoys exploring castles or studying stone walls should definitely take their time! I spent about 2 hours there and unexpectedly got so much out of it〜
Uwajima Castle | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Arima Onsen
A famous hot spring that represents Kansai, which springs at the northern foot of Mt. Rokko. It is a historical hot spring that appears in "Nihon Shoki" and "Fudoki", and is one of the "Three Ancient Springs of Japan".
While visiting Kobe, I set aside some time to explore Arima Onsen and experience the historic atmosphere of this hot spring town. Arima Onsen is one of Japan's three ancient hot springs and is best known for its two different types of spring water, the “Gold Spring” and “Silver Spring.” The Gold Spring has a distinctive reddish-brown color, while the Silver Spring is clear and transparent, each with its own unique qualities.
Once I actually walked around Arima Onsen, I really loved the atmosphere here! The town isn't very big, and there are many traditional Japanese buildings, unique shops, and places to eat along the way. Strolling around slowly and taking photos made me feel like my whole pace had slowed down. I browsed and ate along the way and also tried the famous Kobe beef. It was hot and delicious and made me want another serving!
Unlike a bustling big city, this place doesn't feel rushed and has a more relaxed, nostalgic charm. Even if you only come for a walk and some food, it's well worth it.
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Takenaka Meat Shop
Located just a 6-minute walk from "Arima Onsen" Station, this long-established shop specializes in domestic black Wagyu beef, particularly Kobe beef. In addition to supplying local inns, the shop also offers retail sales to the public, with an option for dining in. Inside, you can enjoy beef croquettes, minced meat cutlets, and beef skewers.
While walking around Arima Onsen and browsing the streets, I happened to pass by Takenaka Meat Shop. I saw that they sold Kobe beef croquettes and figured that since I was already here, I might as well buy one and try it!
The piping-hot croquette felt warm in my hand, and the outside was fried golden and crispy. It was full of flavor when I bit into it and honestly tasted even better than I expected! There are two types of croquettes here. No. 1 has beef and potatoes, with a more noticeable potato texture. No. 2 is a Kobe beef croquette, so if you like meat and want to enjoy the flavor of the beef, I'd recommend No. 2.
This time, I just bought one to eat while walking, and it turned out to be unexpectedly delicious! When exploring the streets of Arima Onsen, a piping-hot snack is perfect when you're tired from walking. It feels especially satisfying after soaking in the hot springs.
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Ganso Gyoza-en
Established in 1951, Ganso Gyoza-en is a celebrated gyoza specialty shop located in Kobe’s vibrant Nankinmachi Chinatown, renowned as the birthplace of Kobe's beloved miso-based dipping sauce gyoza.
While exploring the area around Kobe’s Nankinmachi, I saw the famous Ganso Gyoza-en and decided to give it a try! This long-established restaurant has been open for over 70 years and is also the birthplace of gyoza served with miso dipping sauce.
I usually eat gyoza with soy sauce or vinegar, so this was my first time trying it with miso sauce. I was a little curious about what it would taste like, but I fell in love with it after the first bite!
The gyoza were beautifully pan-fried until golden brown, with slightly crispy wrappers. Paired with the restaurant’s special miso sauce, they had a rich, savory flavor and were really delicious! The miso sauce in particular went perfectly with white rice. I couldn’t help alternating between bites of gyoza and rice, and the more I ate, the more I wanted another few bites of rice.
The restaurant is also very thoughtful, letting you adjust the proportions of miso sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar to suit your own taste. Also, the gyoza don’t contain garlic, so there isn’t a strong garlic smell afterward, which I really liked.
This time I ordered the lunch set, which came with pan-fried gyoza, white rice, and egg drop soup. The soup had plenty of egg and bean sprouts, and the hot bowl was very comforting. The entire set was quite filling and reasonably priced.
I originally just wanted to get some gyoza near Nankinmachi, but I unexpectedly discovered this distinctive flavor. My first experience with miso gyoza left a very good impression, and the next time I visit Kobe, I’ll definitely want to come back!
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