Toyooka
JapanCfa
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コウノトリとカバンの町 | The town of storks and bags
Why visit
Most visitors come to Kinosaki Onsen, a fairy-tale hot-spring town within Toyooka where guests stroll between seven public bathhouses in yukata and wooden geta. The Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork lets you see these enormous birds up close. Toyooka station hosts the Artisan Avenue with leather workshops where you can watch master craftsmen at work or order custom bags. The Tajima beef country (Kobe beef's source) surrounds the city. Hike Mount Daisen and the Genbudo lava cave nearby.
When to avoid
Winters are heavy with Sea-of-Japan snow, trains can be delayed and the local climate is famously gray. Kinosaki gets seriously crowded during cherry blossom season (April) and crab season (November to March). Book ryokans months ahead. The town is small and English signage is patchy outside Kinosaki. Many traditional businesses are cash-only. The Toyooka kaban (leather bag) workshops require advance reservation for tours.
