About Izumisano
Izumisano City is located almost midway between Osaka City and Wakayama City and is blessed with rich natural surroundings. The city has developed in a well-balanced way, encompassing commerce, industry, agriculture, and fishing.
With the opening of Kansai International Airport in 1994, Izumisano has played a key role as an international gateway. It offers excellent domestic and international access, with travel to central Osaka taking less than 40 minutes via the Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t or JR Limited Express Haruka.
Nestled between the sea and mountains, Izumisano City is full of diverse attractions. The coastal area features scenic spots like Rinku Park, known for its stunning sunsets, Rinku Premium Outlets, and Aozora Market, where fresh seafood is available. Meanwhile, the mountainous region is home to Inunakisan, a Shugendo training site established over 1,300 years ago, and Inunakisan Onsen, a relaxing hot spring surrounded by nature.
Additionally, Izumisano boasts three Japan Heritage sites and the city’s only National Treasure, offering visitors opportunities to experience history and culture. The region is also renowned for local specialties such as Senshu eggplants, onions, fresh seafood, Senshu Towels, and local sake.
With its diverse attractions and rich traditions, Izumisano City is a must-visit destination!
A City with Three Japan Heritage Sites
Hineno Sho × Katsuragi Shugendo × Kitamaebune
Izumisano Story
Three Japan Heritage Sites Proudly Recognized in Izumisano City
“Japan Heritage” refers to stories that showcase Japan’s culture and traditions through the historical charm and unique characteristics of a region, as officially recognized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Izumisano City is home to three Japan Heritage sites, each representing a collection of tangible and intangible cultural assets that highlight the city’s rich history and legacy.
Hineno-no-Sho
The Town Depicted in a Travelogue and Two Illustrated Maps – The Medieval Landscape of Hineno-no-Sho
A Magnificent Rural Landscape Reflecting the Four Seasons, Preserved to This Day
Izumisano City is home to Hineno-no-Sho, an estate that was governed by the prestigious Kujō family around 800 years ago. The landscape of this historic manor still remains in the Ōki area. The diary of Masamoto Kujō, Masamoto-kō Tabi Hikitsuke, along with two illustrated maps from the Kamakura period depicting the development of Hineno-no-Sho, provide detailed records of the area’s waterways, reservoirs, temples, and shrines. Remarkably, many of these features still exist today, preserving the rural scenery that has been passed down through generations.
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・Hinenosyo Oogi no Sato Cosmos Garden
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Kitamae-bune
A World Woven by the Dreams of Men Who Defied the Stormy Seas – Kitamae-bune Ports and Shipowners’ Villages
An Economic Lifeline Linking Osaka and Hokkaido
Goods and Culture Transported by a Mobile Trading Company
During the Edo period (1603–1868), the area around Sano-ura (Sano Town) in Izumisano City flourished as a shipowners’ village for wealthy merchant families such as the Meshino and Karakane families. Goods were transported from Osaka and the Seto Inland Sea to the Japan Sea coast via Kitamae-bune, reaching as far as the Tōhoku and Hokkaidō regions. As the premier port in Izumi Province, Sano-ura thrived as a center of commerce and culture. Even today, traces of its vibrant history remain deeply rooted in the local community.
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・Izumisano Fisheries Cooperative Aozora Market
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Katsuragi Shugendo
The Birthplace of Shugendo, Preserved Together with Local People
The 112 km-long Katsuragi Mountain Range
The Sacred Site Where En no Gyōja First Practiced Asceticism
The Katsuragi Mountain Range, which spans Osaka, Wakayama, and Nara, has long been revered as sacred peaks where many deities dwell.
Katsuragi Shugendo is one of the two great sacred sites of Shugendo, alongside Yoshino and Ōmine, both registered as World Heritage Sites. This region is home to 28 sutra mounds, where En no Gyōja, the founder of Shugendo, is said to have buried individual scrolls of the Lotus Sutra.
Even today, ascetic practitioners continue their spiritual training, visiting temples, shrines, waterfalls, and sacred mountains associated with En no Gyōja. The local community has carefully preserved this tradition alongside the practitioners. Visitors to the area can immerse themselves in the rich history and spiritual allure of Shugendo.
<Related Facilities>
・Shipporyu-ji Temple, Inunaki-san
・Fudoguchikan(Inunaki-yama Onsen)
・Minamitei(Inunaki-yama Onsen)
・Inunakisan Motoyu Onsen “Yama-no-Yu”
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The Charming Town of Izumisano
Introducing Our Local Specialties
A Historic Specialty
The Birthplace of Japan’s Towel Industry
Senshu Towels are a proud specialty of the Osaka Senshu region, boasting over 130 years of tradition. They originated in Izumisano City (formerly Sano Village), known as the birthplace of Japan’s towel industry. Senshu Towels are renowned for their superior absorbency and soft texture, achieved through a unique Atozarashi (post-bleaching) method. These towels are also recognized for their environmentally friendly production processes.Crafted with techniques preserved by skilled artisans, Senshu Towels are highly valued for both everyday use and as luxurious gifts. Celebrated both in Japan and internationally, they represent the quality and charm of Japanese craftsmanship. Experience the exceptional quality of Senshu Towels for yourself—you’ll feel the difference in every touch.
<Where to buy>
・K’s Cotton House (Kinno Towel Co., Ltd.)
Kitashōji Sake Brewery – The Only Sake Brewery in Izumisano City.
Congratulations on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Listing for “Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing”!
Izumisano City is blessed with rich natural surroundings, nestled between the Izumi Mountain Range and the calm waters of the inland sea. The city is also recognized as a Japan Heritage Site. Since ancient times, rice cultivation has flourished here, supported by fertile soil and pure spring water that have long sustained the region with high-quality rice.Continuing this proud tradition, Kitashōji Sake Brewery, established in 1921, remains committed to handcrafted, high-quality sake production. Their flagship brand, Sō no Sato, along with other locally inspired varieties, is cherished for its pure and refined flavor. Each sip offers a taste of Izumisano’s rich natural beauty and history. We invite you to enjoy a glass and experience it for yourself.
Shops where you can drink Kitashōji sake in Izumisano City
Food and Specialties
The agricultural products of the Senshu region are a variety of gems nurtured by the fertile land and rich history of the region.
Senshu Tamanegi (onions) were created in the Meiji era (1868–1912) as a secondary crop to paddy fields. They are characterized by their high water content, sweetness, and softness. Onion huts for storage have become a local tradition. Senshu Mizunasu (water eggplant) is a traditional vegetable from the Heian period (794–1185), characterized by its refreshing sweetness and delicate skin. Its flavor is enhanced when pickled. Matsunami cabbage, grown in the cold of winter, has a sweeter, crunchier texture and is an essential ingredient in Osaka’s famous okonomiyaki. (Note: Okonomiyaki is a traditional Japanese dish made from a batter of flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, pork, seafood, cheese, and various other ingredients, topped with a savory sauce).In addition, Gaccho no Karaage (deep-fried Gaccho fish) is a well-loved soul food of Senshu. Its crispy texture and secret seasoning, which allows you to eat all the bones, are irresistible. It tastes good even when cold, making it the perfect snack or accompaniment to alcoholic drinks. These local specialties, which are a product of nature’s bounty and tradition, are sure to become a memorable part of your trip.
Shops where you can enjoy Izumisano’s specialties
・Osaka Local Cuisine Sora – Izumisano Station Store
Seafood (Izumi Tako, Blue Crab, Anago, Senshu Genkotsu Akagai)
Izumisano City is a treasure trove of fresh seafood. From Izumi Tako (octopus), Blue Crab, and Anago (conger eel) to the branded shellfish Senshu Genkotsu Akagai (red clams) and Senshu Kiwami Torigai (extreme soft-shell clams), these products are gaining nationwide attention. At the Izumisano Fishing Port, red clams and soft-shell clams are particularly abundant, known for their thick, crunchy texture. Clams over 300g are called “Genkotsu”, and when served as sashimi or sushi, their flavor intensifies with each bite. In addition, at the Izumisano Fisheries Cooperative’s Aozora Market, you can purchase freshly caught seafood from the day’s catch. Local restaurants and sushi shops within the market allow you to taste seasonal fish right on the spot. In the afternoon, the “Hirawami” (day catch) fish are auctioned off, offering a lively experience where visitors can witness the bustling transactions. This is an opportunity to fully enjoy the blessings of the sea in the region. Be sure to savor the charm of Senshu’s seafood.
Shops where you can enjoy Izumisano’s specialties
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