Steep Yourself in Japanese Heritage at Historical and Cultural Facilities: Amagasaki City Course
Area：Amagasaki
Amagasaki Castle overlooked the sight of kudari-zake being carried to Edo. Amagasaki city is also dotted with famous locations related to sake, such as a museum housing a valuable Banshu sake cask directory, a leading komodaru manufacturing company, and more. Try going around the city of Amagasaki while thinking about Itami and Nada.
START
Amagasaki Station, Hanshin Electric RailwayWalk 5 mins.
Amagasaki Castle
Walk 4 mins.
Amagasaki City Museum of History
Walk 15 mins.
Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine
Walk 6 mins.
Amagasaki Tourist Information Center
Taxi 15 mins.
Komodaru Specialty Store Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten
GOAL
START
Walk 5 mins.
Amagasaki Castle
This castle is a symbol of Amagasaki, rebuilt after 145 years.
Though it was lost due to the Ordinance for the Disposal of Castles during the Meiji period (1868-1912), Amagasaki Castle was rebuilt in 2019. Its five-story interior is filled with highlights. In addition to a display of panels that teach you about the castle's history, it also contains a VR theater, a gun firing experience, a swordsmanship experience, and other fun, educational areas. The third floor contains a spot where you can dress up as a ninja or princess and take photos in front of a gold sliding door, while the fifth and top floor has been made into an observation area with a sweeping view of Amagasaki.
| URL | https://amagasaki-castle.jp/ |
|---|---|
| TEL | Amagasaki Castle Ruins Park Management Office 06-6480-5646 |
| Address | 27 Kitajonai, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture |
Walk 4 mins.
Amagasaki City Museum of History
Displays of Amagasaki's precious cultural assets and historical materials.
A museum of history that stands on the former site of Amagasaki Castle's keep. In addition to holding themed and special exhibitions, there is a permanent exhibition that introduces the history of Amagasaki from primitive and ancient times to the present day. Its valuable historical materials are a must-see, such as the ocellated octopus traps unearthed from the ruins, the model restoration of Amagasaki Castle's keep, the model of Russian ships that came to the waters off Amagasaki's shore during the Bakumatsu period, and more. One cultural property it stores, a directory of marked Sesshu sake casks, is a valuable material that contains over 500 branded sake casks taken from sake making regions in Settsu Province to Edo during the late Edo period.
| URL | https://www.city.amagasaki.hyogo.jp/manabu/bunkazai_0/index.html |
|---|---|
| TEL | 06-6489-9801 |
| Address | 10-2 Minamijonai, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture |
Walk 15 mins.
Amagasaki Ebisu Shrine
"Ama no Ebessan" enshrines the god of good business.
This shrine lovingly known as "Ama no Ebessan," named after the god of business, is said to have been built before the reign of Emperor Daigo (897-930). Its grounds are filled with spots for prayer, such as the 17-meter-tall torii gate that can even be seen clearly while on the Hanshin Electric Railway. Try strolling through the grounds as you visit, seeing the statue of Ebisu with its gentle expression, the Tsuki Ishi rock for good luck, the Inari Daimyojin's "Gankake Kitsune-san" praying foxes, and more.
| URL | https://www.amaebisu.com/ |
|---|---|
| TEL | 06-6411-3859 |
| Address | 3-82 Kanda Nakadori, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture |
Walk 6 mins.
Amagasaki Tourist Information Center
A place that communicates information about tourism in Amagasaki where you can also buy local specialties.
This tourist information center is located inside Amagasaki's Central Park, found on the north side of Hanshin Amagasaki Station. It's a facility that anyone can casually drop by, and inside you can get various pamphlets and leaflets that tourists will find useful. It also sells local specialties and souvenirs. It even comes complete with a rest area, as well as a nursing room and diaper station. Its "Amapi" street piano is usable on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and locals use it as a place to rest as well.
| URL | https://kansai-tourism-amagasaki.jp/information-center/ |
|---|---|
| TEL | 06-6409-4634 |
| Address | 1-4 Kanda Nakadori, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, inside Central Park |
Taxi 15 mins.
Komodaru Specialty Store Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten
A company that manufactures komodaru barrels that are an essential part of celebrations and kagamibiraki ceremonies.
Komodaru were a vital part of sake distribution during the Edo Period (1603-1868). While they're often seen in the modern day at kagamibiraki ceremonies and celebratory occasions, Kishimoto Kichiji Syouten is one of the leading companies in Japan making these barrels today. In addition to making barrels for sake manufacturers around Japan, they also create miniature barrels for New Year's decorations, mini-kagamibiraki sets, and other items for the general public. They are a vital element of transmitting traditional culture into the present day, as well as of sake culture.
| URL | https://en.komodaru.co.jp/ |
|---|---|
| TEL | 06-6421-4454 |
| Address | 2-8-25 Tsukaguchihonmachi, Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture |