Curious Traveler
January 9, 2024
Great hike and relaxing finish!
Awesome hiking and temple experience! We start off meeting at the station and took a bus to the start of our hike. The hike was well paced and I appreciate how we were allowed time to take photos and eat lunch. We went during summer so it was very humid, you might want to bring along a towel, a hat, sunglasses, and bug spray. If you do not like bugs, it will help to bring a net to keep the bugs away from your face. The highlight of this experience was the Goma Prayer and onsen at the end. The person who conducted the prayer was very kind and kindly answered any questions I had about the process of the prayer. To wrap up our day, we finished it with a relaxing onsen. It was amazing! After sweating so much from the humidity, a dip in the onsen was well needed. Great experience, I reccomend anyone wanting to get some exercise in and to witness a Goma Prayer to try this.
Liza F
December 25, 2023
Truly unique spiritual experience
One of the most unique experiences I've had in Japan (and I've been living here for 5 years). Calming, peaceful and you get to see a hidden side of Japan. For me this was the highlight of my year and I'm so grateful that I was allowed to participate in this special ceremony This tour is perfect for singles, couples or a group of friends
BryanBaier
December 25, 2023
Hiking Inunaki
I'd heard of Inunaki from a friend who does a lot of hikes of their own. When an opportunity to visit the area on a tour presented itself, I went. I look forward to visiting again on my own so that I can spend more time enjoying the river and the scenery. I also look forward to returning to try mizugyo (the Buddhist practice of meditating under a waterfall) at the beautiful Shipporyuji Temple. The open air Onsen (Japanese hot spring) bath at Fudoguchikan is also amazing. I've been to several scenic and beautiful Onsen throughout Japan. This one holds its own against the best of them.
richard t
December 25, 2023
A barking good time.
I took this tour of "dog bark mountain" to see the statue of the dog saint and to have a nice walk in the woods. The tour guides offered a surprising depth of local knowledge of trees, wildlife and fauna as well as some of the native geographical features. We saw an endangered frog variety native to this area. The temple has an interesting history that the guides were able to share and there was a ceremony we were able to witness and learn some about the order of monks that created and inhabit the temple and their waterfall spiritual cleansing ritual. There is a whole series of waterfalls and our tour only allowed for seeing a few of them, but they were beautiful. It was a very hot August day and the mosquitoes were out in full force. Wear bug spray and hiking shoes. Even though it is a short hike with only a slight climb, the ground is rugged. Hiking sticks are advised , especially for older people or less agile hikers. It was a worthy little excursion ending with a visit to a very simple onsen that was outside a hotel and offering a view of the river. because it is so close to OSaka, but far from the beaten tourist path, I will likely return here.
Ricky リッキー
December 24, 2023
Soothing experience for the busy mind
An amazing experience when you can relaxed your mind while doing hiking and enjoying the scenery. We start the journey using bus, and after we stop, we take a bento lunch first. Then, we continue our walk to shrines, after that to the temple. This temple is where you can have a peace of mind. A goma prayer is a soothing experience for a busy mind. We can also do waterfall training behind the temple. After all the experience end, we enjoy our lunch, and go back to the bus stop. While we wait for the bus, we went to the onsen and relaxing. Then, the journey end in the information center and souvenir shop, where you can find local specialized products. I will always remember this journey!
jameshills2023
December 18, 2023
An Unforgettable Evening of Bar Hopping in Izumisano
My recent bar hopping adventure in Izumisano, hosted by a local guide, was an experience that far exceeded my expectations. Initially, I was sceptical about the necessity of a guide, given the fact that I can already speak Japanese. However, this scepticism was quickly dispelled by the invaluable insights and recommendations our guide provided, completely changing my opinion on guided tours in general. The journey began at a charming okonomiyaki restaurant after being met by our guide at the station. Here, we were not just spectators but participants, learning how to make this iconic dish under the guidance of our host. The experience of crafting my own okonomiyaki was genuinely rewarding – a delightful twist from the usual dining experiences of having it being made in front of you or simply brought to you. Without the guide, I would not have had the confidence to try to make the okonomiyaki myself - so it was really appreciated that she showed us how to make it in an easy-to-understand step-by-step fashion. Next, we ventured into a local izakaya, characterised by its counter-style seating. This setting created a wonderfully interactive atmosphere, allowing us to engage with local patrons through our guide. Speaking with the regulars, we were able to try foods that I would not originally have thought to try and I felt immersed in the vibrant local culture. The final stop was a more laid-back bar, the perfect setting to unwind with a couple more drinks. This variety in venues ensured a well-rounded experience, each with its unique ambiance and offering. One of the most striking aspects of this bar hopping tour was the authenticity of the dining experience. Far from the tourist-trampled paths, we delved into places where English was scarce, and the menus were exclusively in Japanese. This immersion into the local dining scene provided a taste of genuine Japanese cuisine, as loved and frequented by the residents - and not just kiss-me-quick places that are common in more built-up areas. I would highly recommend this bar hopping experience to anyone seeking a deeper, more authentic exploration of Japanese culinary culture. It’s ideal for those looking to venture beyond the usual tourist spots and delve into the real flavours and interactions that define Osaka's vibrant food scene.
Shirley0129
December 18, 2023
Great experience in local Izumisano restaurants
It was my first time visiting Izumisano city. The first restaurant we went to was a okonomiyaki restaurant. The place was opened 70 years ago, the interior looked retro, and the food was great. Our guide taught us how to make okonomiyaki and we enjoyed it very much. After that we went to an izakaya with mostly counter seats and almost only locals visit there. It was a great opportunity to communicate with local people and see what they order. The food was great as well. The menu has almost everything from sashimi to tempura. And the last place was a western style pub. We ordered some cheese with crackers, and mixed nuts. Over all it was a great experience to see some local areas, talk to local people and simply just enjoy some great food and drinks.
Elise N
December 14, 2023
Beautiful mountain scenery and ryokan/onsen experience
Friendly and knowledgeable guide, learnt a lot about the history and importance of the mountain. Beautiful scenery with running stream and waterfalls throughout. Relaxing afternoon spent in private room at ryokan. Generous and delicious lunch and got to experience onsen bath with view out over mountain stream. Highly recommend, only a short trip from Osaka.
