Surprises and contemplation
For the collective imagination of the world's travellers, the simple name Kyoto immediately evokes the ancient capital of Japan, and the name Hyogo evokes the city of Kobe and its port overlooking the Bay of Osaka. And yet, these two prefectures, along with Tottori and Fukui, conceal an exceptional seaside to the north, facing the Sea of Japan. This preserved coastline benefits from an exceptional nature, flora and fauna that make it fascinating. Starting with the sand dunes of Tottori, as surprising as it may seem. This unique geological formation in the country is the main attraction of the prefecture. This natural phenomenon is 16 km long and 2 km wide, and this, only 5 km from the city of Tottori. From the top of the dunes, one can appreciate the vastness of the coast on which the waves of the Sea of Japan come ashore. It is the turn of the town of Amanohashidate, the bridge to paradise, in Miyazu Bay, to amaze the traveler with one of the three most famous views in Japan. It was Hayashi Gahō, a man of letters of the Edo period, who classified these natural views in his work Nihonkoku jiseki kō, "From Japan's Heritage". It is a true dreamlike picture that emerges before the eyes of visitors impressed by this creative nature. A tombolo, a 3.6 km long sandy barrier beach that connects two stretches of land, connects the two opposite shores of Miyazu Bay for a natural spectacle of great beauty. Approximately 20 to 170 meters wide, the tombolo is covered with pine trees and sand, so visitors can walk along it, delighted to step into this work of Mother Nature in just an hour. At Amanohashidate, visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy a course in food and wine pairing led by a certified sommelier. When gastronomy mingles with the beauty of the place! Not far away nestles Ine, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Japan. This fishing village is famous in the hearts of the Japanese for its houses, built on the water and called funaya; they also serve as boat garages. They are said to date from the early 18th century. This local and picturesque architecture has been preserved from natural disasters, such as tsunamis, thanks to its location, nestled between reliefs, facing south. These wooden houses are thus protected from the Sea of Japan and its potential threats. Thanks to this heritage heritage, it is a real journey back in time that awaits visitors, charmed by the unique atmosphere of these small streets and the "water taxis", which allow to move in an original way and enjoy another point of view on the funaya. Electric bike hire is also a pleasant option to discover Ine at your own pace. The traveller, bewitched by the place, can also put down his suitcases in one of the houses transformed into a bed and breakfast for a magical night facing the sea and taste sake in one of the many breweries. In the north of Hyogo prefecture nestles, in the heart of the luxuriant nature of the Unesco World Geopark, San'in Kaigan, a remarkable spa resort: Kinosaki Onsen. When visiting the city, the traveller has the pleasant sensation of wandering around in a ryokan, these traditional Japanese open-air inns, with the streets as corridors, the real ryokan as bedrooms and the multiple onsen as bathrooms. Kinosaki's seven public onsen are close to each other and easily accessible on foot. Strolling around Kinosaki Onsen is a perfect opportunity to blend into the history of Japanese onsen culture and enjoy their benefits in a quiet and restful moment, like a gift to oneself. There are also many beautiful beaches along the coastline of this region, such as Takeno Beach, which is one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in Japan, and Matsubara Beach in Tsuruga.
Culture and gastronomy
The topology of the place and the mild climate provide an ideal setting for the local gastronomy. Thus the famous Taiza Matsuba crabs, which are very popular in Japan, enjoy a perfectly adapted place to live thanks to the mountain springs that flow into the water, itself protected by a Unesco geopark. Proof also of the richness of the region's resources, Obama, in Fukui, was considered miketsukuni for his role in supplying the imperial court during the Nara period (710-794), especially through the mackerel trade, which allowed Obama to prosper. The lush landscapes, clean water and air are also conducive to the cultivation of high quality rice. Several sake breweries, with distinct flavours, have taken up residence in this region, which proves the beautiful quality of the surrounding water and rice. But the mild climate not only influences the local gastronomy, it also influences the craftsmanship. Chirimen Tango silk, with its 300 years of history, is the precious component for the creation of quality kimonos. Humidity and appropriate temperatures are conducive to the manufacture of this silk, some of the craftsmen have even achieved world renown with performances at the Paris Fashion Week. The town of Kinosaki Onsen is also famous for its straw marquetry, mugiwara zaiku, which is an integral part of its history. Since the Edo period, about 300 years ago, this handicraft highlights the manufacture of ornaments using straws dyed in different colours, cut into thin stems and assembled together. The pattern, thus created, is then used as decoration for a number of objects, such as boxes or fans. In Japan, this craft is extremely rare since the few craftsmen, who still sublimate this ancestral know-how, are all in Kinosaki.
For more information, visit: kansaiguide.jp/exciting/
