Downtown Area
Step Back in Time to the Edo and Showa Eras — A Gourmet Stroll through Historic “Sano Machiba” near Izumisano Station

Downtown Area

Step Back in Time to the Edo and Showa Eras — A Gourmet Stroll through Historic “Sano Machiba” near Izumisano Station

Time Travel from the Edo to the Showa Era
Once a prosperous port of the Kitamaebune shipping route, the old town of Sano Machiba in
Izumisano still preserves the atmosphere of bygone days.
Here, traditional machiya townhouses built by wealthy merchants and nostalgic Showa-era
shopping streets remain alive and well.
Recognized as part of Japan Heritage —
“A Dream Woven by Men Who Crossed the Rough Seas: Kitamaebune Port Towns and
Shipowner Settlements”,
this charming district invites you to stroll through its historic streets while sampling Senshu’s
local delicacies, sweets, and old-fashioned dagashi snacks.
From the retro charm of Tsubasa Street Shopping Arcade to the heartwarming sights and
flavors that evoke nostalgia,
why not take a little journey through time?
And don’t forget to check out the special “Choose Your Journey Ending” options waiting for
you at the end of your stroll.

For more about the three Japan Heritage sites, please visit the “Learn About Izumisano City”
page.
https://visitizumisanojpn.com/en/about-izumisano/

Duration: Approx. 3 hours

——————————————————————

 This itinerary is an example course.

10:00

Nankai Izumisano Station

4 min walk

10:05
A Taste of Japanese Culture:
Enjoy Matcha and Traditional Sweets in a Taisho-era Townhouse

Kanmi Sabō Sanomachi-an(A traditional Japanese sweets café)

Opening in 2025, Kanmi Sabō Sanomachi-an is a new cultural spot where you can enjoy
authentic Japanese sweets and experience warm exchanges through Japan’s culinary
traditions.
The café is housed in a beautifully preserved Taisho-era building, where both table seating
and tatami rooms offer a calm and nostalgic atmosphere.
Reflecting the town’s history as part of the Japan Heritage “Kitamaebune Shipowner

Settlements”, the sliding doors are adorned with elegant paintings of Kitamaebune ships—
symbols of Izumisano’s prosperous maritime past.
The signature Sanomachi-an Set (¥1,300) features handmade dango (sweet rice dumplings)
that you can gently grill yourself over a small charcoal shichirin brazier, creating a uniquely
Japanese hands-on experience., hands-on experience.
Usha, from Nepal, especially loves the kinako (roasted soybean flour) flavor—why not try her
favorite?

(DATA)
Address:1-2 Motomachi, Izumisano City(Next to Sano Machi Library)
Tel: 072-488-7161
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last order 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: Mondays
(If Monday is a national holiday, closed on the following weekday instead.)
View Basic Information

Shopping Fun at
Tsubasa Street
Shopping Arcade♪

10:50
How about some nostalgic Showa-era snacks to enjoy on your stroll through Sano Machiba?

Kikurin Dagashiya (Retro Japanese Candy Shop

Step back into Japan’s nostalgic Showa-era childhood at Dagashiya Kikurin,
where you’ll find 150 to 200 kinds of retro sweets and small toys—some priced from just ¥5!
Grab a little shopping basket and enjoy the excitement of choosing treats you won’t find in
any supermarket.
Many visitors say, “The lottery games are so fun—it’s like experiencing a Japanese
childhood!”
You can also take a break with take-out coffee and snacks, making it the perfect stop during
your Sano Machiba stroll.
Relive the charm of a bygone era and feel the warmth of Japan’s retro candy culture.

(DATA)
Address:10-12 Sakaemachi, Izumisano City
Tel: 080-3851-1271
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays
View Basic Information

11:05
Grab Freshly Fried, Fluffy Tempura (Japanese Fish Cakes) at a Classic Local Tempura Shop!

Tempura & Fish Cake ChiuChi Shop

Watch as freshly fried tempura is prepared right before your eyes!
Each piece of savory fish cake tempura costs around ¥100, making it perfect for snacking as
you stroll through town.
The tempura is beautifully displayed in traditional bamboo baskets, and choosing your
favorite varieties is part of the fun.
Enjoy one on the spot when you get a little hungry, or take some home to pair with a
refreshing beer.
Usha, the café owner from Nepal, smiles and says,
“The bamboo draining baskets look so Japanese and charming!”
She adds, “The freshly fried tempura tastes so light and delicious—I loved it!”

Bite into Hot and Crispy
Freshly Fried
Tempura♪

Takeda Foods

In the Senshu region of Osaka, there was once an abundance of a small fish called “Gaccho”
(Megochi)—so plentiful that fishermen didn’t know what to do with it.
Out of this challenge came a delicious idea: turn the humble Gaccho into a crispy deep-fried
specialty.
Thus was born the beloved local dish, Gaccho no Karaage, or fried Gaccho fish.
This shop has been preserving the original flavor of this Senshu soul food for over 30 years.
Its light salt seasoning and irresistibly crispy texture make it a local favorite.
Jenny, a visitor from Canada, smiles and says,
“I loved that you can eat the whole fish—from head to tail! The texture is so fun!”
Once you try it, you’ll understand why this simple yet flavorful snack is one of Senshu’s most
addictive local delicacies.

(DATA)
Address:8-15 Asahi-cho, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-493-6221
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays, Sundays, Obon holidays, and New Year holidays
View Basic Information

11:25
An Ancient Temple Affectionately Known as “Saijo-san of Sano”

Eifukuzan Myojo-ji Temple

\Along Tsubasa Street Shopping Arcade, Don’t Miss This!/

Spotted something lucky? Look for the hidden “Otafuku Stone”—
a cheerful good-luck charm, just like Japan’s version of a “Hidden Mickey”!

Izumisano Furusato Machiyakan (Former Niigawa Residence, a Designated Cultural
Property of Izumisano City)

Built during the Edo period by Shinkawa Kinai II,
this machiya townhouse was originally constructed for his soy sauce business.
It remains a precious example of traditional Edo-style architecture,
standing quietly at the heart of Sano Machiba.
Inside, you’ll find historical exhibits on prominent local merchant families such as the
Meshino and Karakane families,
who prospered through the Kitamaebune shipping trade and daimyo-gashi (loans to feudal
lords).
Knowledgeable staff are available to guide you,
offering insights into the town’s rich commercial history.
During your stroll, take a short break on the engawa veranda.
Relax in the nostalgic atmosphere, enjoy local sweets or dagashi,
and try traditional Japanese toys for a touch of childlike fun—
a moment of peaceful connection to the past.

2min walk

11:25
A Prestigious Temple That Once Welcomed Feudal Lords —
The Site of the “Okagoyose” Ceremony
Saihō-ji Temple

Guided by the staff of the Izumisano Furusato Machiyakan (Former Shinkawa Residence),
you’ll arrive at Saiho-ji Temple, an ancient temple deeply connected to the prominent
merchant family Meshino,
one of Izumisano’s most influential clans during the Edo period.
In front of the temple’s main gate lies the Okagoyose Site,
where visiting feudal lords once dismounted from their palanquins to bow in respect before
entering the temple grounds.
This historic spot still preserves the air of dignity and reverence that surrounded those visits.
Within the temple precincts stands a majestic Kaizuka Ibuki,
an ancient juniper pine estimated to be around 850 years old—a living symbol of endurance
and grace,
well worth seeing during your journey through Sano Machiba.

(DATA)
Address:
9-2 Motomachi, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-462-2101
Temple Grounds: Open to visitors (8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
View Basic Information

✨After enjoying a day of food tasting and historical exploration in Sano Machiba,

your journey ends with two unique ways to relax and reflect.
Choose the perfect finale that matches your schedule—and your mood.

A. Return-to-the-Station Course

12:35
Wrap Up Your Stroll with a Toast of Local Craft Beer!

LONE STAR (Lone Star)

(DATA)
Address:4-13 Sakae-machi, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-461-1444
Hours:11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Last Order 1:30 p.m.)
Takeout available during lunch hours only
4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Last Order 10:30 p.m.)
Closed: Tuesdays (except public holidays and the day before holidays), year-end and New
Year holidays
View Basic Information

B. Extend-Your-Trip Course

12:45
Head to the Aozora Market for Fresh Seafood Delights!

Izumisano Fisheries Cooperative Aozora Market

Just an 11-minute walk from the Izumisano Furusato Machiyakan (Former Shinkawa
Residence),
the Izumisano Fisheries Cooperative Aozora Market is one of the most vibrant fish markets in
Osaka Prefecture,
renowned for its impressive volume of fresh catches.
From early morning, the market comes alive with the voices of cheerful vendors
and rows of freshly caught seafood brought in directly from the local fishing boats.
You’ll also find casual eateries where you can savor the best of the sea—
how about finishing your stroll with some fresh sushi or a hearty kaisen-don (seafood rice
bowl)?🍣

(DATA)
Address:5187-101 Shinmachi 2-chome, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-469-2340
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Hours may vary depending on each shop.
Closed: Wednesdays
View Basic Information

\More to Discover! Gourmet Eats & Must-Visit Spots around Sano Machiba near Izumisano
Station/

A Sweet Potato Paradise Filled with Pure Love and Gentle Flavors!

Sweet Potato Lab by COCORON

(DATA)
Address:13-1 Omiya-cho, Izumisano City
Tel: 050-8881-6414
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Sundays
View Basic Information

Relax at a Hidden Café in a Renovated Kura Storehouse♪

Kura Café Mukunoki

(DATA)
Address:3-8 Motomachi, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-461-0121
Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Irregular holidays

As the Lights Glow Along Tsubasa Street, End Your Day with a Toast!

Yakitori Kōtaya (Japanese grilled chicken skewers)

(DATA)
Address:9-6 Sakae-machi, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-447-8017
Hours:Tuesday–Saturday: 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Sunday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, New Year holidays

Guardian Shrine of Prosperity and Safe Fishing — Sano Town Soja Shrine

Kasuga Shrine

(DATA)
Address:4-12 Kasuga-cho, Izumisano City
Tel: 072-464-0235
Temple Grounds: Open to visitors
Gift Shop (Juyosho): 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (may be closed when staff are unavailable)
View Basic Information

 

Explore the Modern Evolution of a Beloved Local Sento Bathhouse

Former Asahi-yu Bathhouse / National Registered Tangible Cultural Property

(DATA)
Men’s Bath Area (Managed by the Cultural Property Protection Division)
Address: 4-5 Motomachi, Izumisano City (right side of the building)
Tel: 072-447-6766
Hours: 8:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. (weekdays only)
————————————
Women’s Bath Area (COZY ROOM “ASAHI”-yu)
Address: 4-5 Motomachi, Izumisano City (left side of the building)
Tel: 072-477-7365 (Value Renovations Sano)
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Advance reservation required for visits.

Just 15 Minutes from Kansai International Airport — Stay in a 200-Year-Old Traditional Japanese
House All to Yourself

Oyado Aburari

(DATA)
Address: 1-8-17 Ōnishi, Izumisano City
Reservation: Airbnb https://x.gd/7A3ZX
Check-in: From 3:00 p.m. Check-out: By 10:00 a.m.
View Basic Information

*――*――*――*――*――*――*――*
Learn More About “Sano Machiba”!
● Izumisano City Tourism Information Center(Operated by the Izumisano Tourism Volunteer
Association)
https://visitizumisanojpn.com/en/izumisano-city-tourism-information-centeroperated-by-the-izumisano-tourism-volunteer-association/
●Izumisano Area Guide Association
https://visitizumisanojpn.com/en/izumisano-area-guide-association/
◇Travel Light – Store Your Luggage Before Exploring!
https://visitizumisanojpn.com/en/
how_to_get_around/#nimotsu-area

*――*――*――*――*――*――*――*