2026 Inagawa Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

#japan #engyoji #temple #history #himeji Himeji is a town located in Japan and is popular among 2 temples the Himeji Castle and the Engyoji. I prefer the less touristy place therefore if you have to choose one, head to Engyoji temple which is located at at the top of mount shosha. Getting to the top, you are able to ride on the cable car and the temple has a compulsory entrance fee for visitors. Engyoji is popular as it holds a history for more than 1000 over years old and this is also in one of the famous movie called the last samurai starring the world renowned actor Tom Cruise.

When it comes to travel, what we often seek is that rare sense of freedom. This time, I traveled through Biyang, Xuzhou, Jinan, Shin-Iibama City, Tongshan, Inagawa Town, and Anji, wandering through snow-covered winter forests, bustling markets, and gazing at historical mining memories. I let go of my inhibitions and simply wanted to travel as I pleased. Each stop was a small, rejuvenating escape from the daily grind—even just stopping in a small town, browsing unfamiliar winter shops, and breathing in the damp, crisp air was enough to make me content. This brief period of freedom will give me the energy to return to work and continue my adventures. Recommended Itinerary Biyang - Tongshan Lake Forest Park The first stop on my trip was Tongshan Lake Forest Park in Biyang. The trees are draped in silver in winter, and walking under the snow-covered scenery feels like entering a tranquil world. If it's a rainy day, the mist adds to the atmosphere; wearing warm, non-slip shoes is essential! The park is vast, with distinct scenery in all four seasons; it's recommended to allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit. Address: East of Tongshanhu Road, Biyang County, Zhumadian City. Opening hours: 06:00 - 17:30 (adjustments may apply during peak and off-peak seasons). Admission: 20 yuan for adults. Xuzhou - Wenwo Comprehensive Market, Tongshan New District: After visiting the forest park, consider a visit to the bustling Wenwo Comprehensive Market in Xuzhou's Tongshan New District. The market offers a wide variety of authentic snacks and daily necessities. We recommend trying authentic Xuzhou fried buns and cold noodles, or purchasing some local specialties to take home. Browsing the market is the most direct way to experience the local atmosphere, and it's also a great place to relax and rejuvenate when it rains. Jinan - Qingtongshan Grand Canyon Scenic Area Viewing Platform: When visiting Jinan, we highly recommend the Qingtongshan Grand Canyon Scenic Area, especially the viewing platform, which boasts an excellent location. The winter snow view is incredibly dreamy, with a wide-open vista, perfect for taking photos and sharing on social media. Admission is free. Located in Qingtongshan Grand Canyon, north of Laozhuang Village, Jinxiuchuan, Licheng District, Jinan City, this place is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Arriving early is recommended to avoid crowds and capture the morning mist and snow glow, experiencing the healing power of nature. Niihama City - Bessou Copper Mine Memorial Hall Moving to Niihama City, consider visiting the Bessou Copper Mine Memorial Hall to learn about the history of the copper mine and the local development. It's a great place for culture enthusiasts. Address: 3-13 Suminoshindencho, Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture 792−0846. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, closed on Mondays. Copper Mine - Snowflake Copper Mine B&B If you, like me, love a slow winter getaway, I recommend staying at "Snowflake Copper Mine B&B, a 3-bedroom ski-in/ski-out guesthouse!" The guesthouse offers stunning views of snow-covered landscapes and winter scenery. In the morning, opening the curtains is like stepping into a fairytale world, perfect for skiing. In the evening, gather around the fireplace to warm up and quietly enjoy the night snow – a truly healing experience. Inagawa Town - Tada Silver Copper Mine Ancient Museum The Tada Silver Copper Mine Ancient Museum in Inagawa Town offers another historical thread, a pilgrimage site for mineral culture enthusiasts, and features numerous interactive exhibits. Address: 666-0256 Inagawa-cho, Kawabe-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. Open year-round, Tuesdays 09:00 - 17:00. Anji - Copper Mountain Park The final stop is Copper Mountain Park in Anji. It blends the elegance of Jiangnan landscapes, and a stroll in the snow adds to the poetic atmosphere. It's perfect for a family and friends trip, breathing in the fresh air of winter's dormancy and spring's renewal. Travel Tips 1. In case of snow or rain, remember to bring non-slip shoes and warm clothing. Winter temperatures are unpredictable, so take precautions against the cold. 2. Some scenic spots are located at higher elevations, so it's recommended to check transportation and opening hours in advance to plan your itinerary. 3. Bring plenty of cash when purchasing local specialties/dining at local markets, especially in old street shops. 4. The greatest meaning of travel is relaxation. You don't have to visit every attraction; true happiness comes from following your heart! This trip traversed nature, explored history, and immersed yourself in local life, allowing both body and mind to bask in a short but fulfilling period of freedom. Which snow-covered town did you like best? Or which stop had the most appealing slow pace of life? Share your travel stories in the comments! #WinterTravel #SnowyStroll #HealingItinerary #WinterSlowTravel #Recharge

Attraction Breakdown & Travel Highlights 🚩 Biyang - Tongshan Lake Forest Park The moment you arrive at Tongshan Lake Forest Park, you'll be blown away by the winter snowscape. The tree branches are wrapped in creamy white rime frost, looking like a fairy tale world from afar. The hiking trails here are super friendly and perfect for a casual stroll: stop to take pictures whenever you want, or duck into a pavilion for a hot cup of tea without anyone bothering you. Tickets are only 20 RMB—an absolute steal—and you don't have to deal with crowds. 📍 Address: East Tongshan Lake Road, Biyang County, Zhumadian City 🕙 Opening Hours: Jan-Apr & Oct-Dec 06:00-17:30, May-Sep 08:30-18:00 🚩 Yizheng - Tongshan Forest Park If you love the sense of security that comes from being surrounded by giant trees, you can't miss this Tongshan Forest Park in Yizheng. The park is huge, offering different scenery throughout the four seasons, but taking a walk through the winter plum blossom garden and the snow-covered pine forest is incredibly healing. It looks gentle and stylish in photos. Whether you're jogging or quietly strolling along the flower paths, the fresh air and negative ions are off the charts. 📍 Address: Y359, Maji Town, Yizheng City, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province 🕙 Opening Hours: Year-round 08:00-18:30 🚩 Copper Mountain - Snowflake Copper Mountain Homestay & Copper Mountain Resort Staying at the Snowflake Copper Mountain Homestay, you open the window to a picturesque view of snow-draped branches. When you get tired of skiing, head back to your room and warm up a pot of plum wine—life is instantly healed. The ski-in/ski-out setup is perfect for vacationing on lazy mode. Copper Mountain Resort is truly a paradise for ski addicts, offering a variety of slopes for you to shred. Even if you don't ski, just taking in the snowscape is amazing. 📍 Copper Mountain Resort: 209 Ten Mile Circle, Copper Mountain, CO 80443 🕙 Opening Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 11:00-16:00, Thu 11:00-17:30 🚩 Jinan - Qingtong Mountain Grand Canyon Scenic Area - Observation Deck The majestic view from the Grand Canyon Observation Deck will literally make you go "Wow!" The massive canyon paired with the winter snowscape and frozen waterfalls look like natural ice sculptures. Standing on the platform, you absolutely don't need a filter for your photos. It's highly recommended to come early in the morning when there are fewer people and the air is crisp and fresh. 📍 Address: North of Laozhuang Village, Jinxiuchuan, Licheng District, Jinan City 🕙 Opening Hours: Year-round 08:30-17:00 🚩 Inagawa - Tada Silver and Copper Mine Yuukyuu no Yakata Stepping into the "Tada Silver and Copper Mine Yuukyuu no Yakata" in Inagawa, Japan, feels like falling into a time machine. The museum houses many fascinating exhibits related to ancient mining culture. Coupled with the niche, winter-exclusive snowscape, you'll fall in love with this tranquil little town and slow down to experience a warmth all your own. Practical Tips · Heartfelt thoughts: Travel is all about allowing yourself to space out and cherishing every moment of doing whatever you want. Post-pandemic, more people have come to realize that these few short days of freedom are the ultimate antidote to the daily grind. · When taking candid shots of the snow and rime frost, remember to bring gloves and cold-weather gear, but don't stress too much about getting the "perfect" shot. Having fun and feeling free is what matters most. · If you're skiing at the resort, it's recommended to book your ski gear online in advance. Renting on the spot during peak season might mean waiting in line. · Plum blossoms and snow are nature's winter-exclusive "filters." Try to plan your visit between early and mid-morning when the lighting is best for stunning photos. Finally, for food, you should definitely try the local light meals. Options like farm-style stir-fries in Biyang and Japanese bento boxes in Inagawa are solid choices for recharging your energy. For transportation, high-speed rail or driving is recommended. Making spontaneous stops in small towns and stumbling upon beautiful moments is the true meaning of travel.

In the scorching heat of August, my sister from Singapore and my sister who lives in Tokyo flew to Japan to watch the Inagawa Fireworks Festival. It was really my first time to experience it! It is said that this fireworks festival will be restored after five years, and it is really highly anticipated! Fireworks displays are the highlight of the Japanese summer festival. They are characterized by brilliant colors and delicate expressiveness, and are extremely ornamental. This time, we braved the scorching heat specifically for the fireworks display. We wore colorful yukatas, gota, put flowers in our hair, carried embroidered bags, and called our friends to take the tram to Inagawa Sports Park. ⏰We departed from Osaka two hours before the fireworks festival started. The bus was full of men, women, and children wearing traditional yukatas. We arrived at Ikeda Station in just half an hour. It takes 15 minutes to walk from Ikeda Station to the fireworks festival venue (just follow the flow of people). When leaving, a large crowd returned to the station together and had to queue up to enter the station at different times, but order was maintained very well and we only had to wait for a dozen minutes before we successfully boarded the train back to Osaka. 👘 Yukata reservation location: According to the almighty 📖, I found Kyoto Kimono Rental in Shinsaibashi, Osaka. You need to make an online reservation in advance. There is a Chinese version. The yukata package includes a hairstyle. In addition to the basic decoration of the selected package, you can also add a kimono the next day for an additional charge. There are also various additional charges for more types of decorations, depending on your personal preferences. 🕹️The fireworks viewing area is on the open lawn of the Inagawa Sports Park. Every household brought their own picnic mats and sat together waiting for the fireworks to bloom. The local municipal government arranged many food and game stalls (of course, the queues were also very long!) and arranged many security volunteers to maintain order on site. They also arranged special personnel to pour water for people to wash their hands in the temporary toilets. The scene was crowded but orderly. 🎆It is said that more than 4,000 fireworks were set off in one hour. The on-site effect was spectacular and its beauty could not be expressed in words. The fireworks embodied the Japanese People’s expectations for a better world also represent a new beginning after the epidemic, when we take off our masks and our lives return to normal order. It bids farewell to the summer that is about to end and we are full of hope for the arrival of beautiful autumn and winter. #fireworksfestival #summerjapan #fireworksfestival #kansai

I recently tried the popular Matcha Yakka Cookies that I bought in Korea. They are truly delicious. There are various flavors including regular, cheese, chocolate, and matcha, but personally, I like the matcha the best. They are so good I want to buy a ton of them, and I want to eat them right now. You can buy them at convenience stores in Korea, so if you see them, please give them a try! The matcha flavor is rich and delicious, and they also contain matcha cream, so you really won't regret eating them. They are my top recommendation for a snack.

Yukyu Square is in front of Yukyu-no-Yakata in Inagawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture. There are remains of six brick structures from the former Hori-ya smelter built in the Meiji era. It is a quiet place surrounded by nature, with a large parking lot, a plaza, and benches. If you go down the stairs, you will find Yukyu-no-Yakata, where materials from the Tada Silver and Copper Mine are displayed, so you can study the historical site. [Yukyu Square/Hori-ya Smelter Site] 📍In front of Ginzan Nagaya, Inagawa-cho, Kawabe-gun, Hyogo Prefecture 🚗Free parking available #Hyogo Tourism#Remains#Inagawa-cho#Yukyu Square#Yukyu-no-Yakata#Tada Silver and Copper Mine#Historical Site#Place with a Historical Feel#Historical Site

The Tada Silver and Copper Mine ruins are located in Inagawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture. This place is known as the place of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legendary buried treasure. The highlight of the Tada Silver and Copper Mine is the "Aoki Mabu" tunnel, which can be freely visited for free. You can go about 50m into the tunnel. The temperature inside the tunnel is about 15 degrees! There are many other ruins besides Aoki Mabu, so it may be more interesting to look at the materials at the Yukyu-no-Yakata before exploring😊 [Tada Silver and Copper Mine/Aoki Mabu] 📍Ginzan, Inagawa-cho, Kawabe-gun, Hyogo Prefecture 🚗Free parking available #HyogoTourism#TadaSilverandCopperMineRuins#Ruins#InagawaTourism#Inagawa-cho#SilverMine#AokiMabu#Tunnels#Walk

Located in Inagawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture. This facility introduces the history of the silver mine area, which is particularly important among the Tada Silver and Copper Mine ruins. You can view the museum for free. There are exhibits of ores, mining tools, ancient documents, etc. At this facility, you can see the ruins of the magistrate's office on the opposite bank. There is also a tourist guide map, so please stop by before exploring the area😊 [Tada Silver and Copper Mine Yukyu no Yakata] 📍4-1 Ginzan Nagaya-mae, Inagawa-cho, Kawabe-gun, Hyogo Prefecture 🚗Free parking available Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed on Mondays (the following day if a public holiday falls on a Monday) #Hyogo sightseeing#Inagawa-cho#Tada Silver and Copper Mine#Yukyu no Yakata#Museum#Historical site#Inagawa sightseeing#Love nature#Love history