{"id":79812,"date":"2021-03-20T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=79812"},"modified":"2021-12-10T19:21:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T10:21:10","slug":"seafood-hiking-onsen-in-ako","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/seafood-hiking-onsen-in-ako\/","title":{"rendered":"Fresh Seafood, Fantastic Views, and Relaxing Onsen in Ako"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ako City (\u8d64\u7a42\u5e02)<\/strong> is a small coastal town in Hyogo Prefecture<\/strong> along the beautiful Seto Inland Sea<\/strong>. Its location between Osaka and Hiroshima makes it the perfect destination for a one or two-night stopover if you want to take a break from the more crowded tourist areas. Although Ako is under the radar of most travelers coming to Japan, it has much to offer. You can savor fresh seafood, soak in relaxing hot springs, hike mountains with fantastic views, or just walk around and explore the authentic Japanese port town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring the Misaki Onsen Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From Banshu Ako Station (\u64ad\u5dde\u8d64\u7a42\u99c5)<\/strong>, it takes about 25 minutes by bus or 15 minutes by taxi to arrive at Misaki, the city\u2019s onsen area. Close to Misaki bus stop is Iwatsuhime Shrine (\u4f0a\u548c\u90fd\u6bd4\u58f2\u795e\u793e)<\/strong>. This shrine is often visited by young couples who come here to enjoy the Seto Inland Sea scenic views and buy a lucky charm for a good relationship and pray to the Shinto gods for a bright future together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The shrine, which existed since the Heian period (794-1185) and was moved to its current location in 1683, has a less romantic history. During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), the Imperial Navy’s admiral came here before battle to pray for victory. Since then, it became customary for high-ranking navy officers to pray at this shrine. Nowadays, the connection to the Japanese naval forces is not so close anymore, but Iwatsuhime Shrine is still a popular spot to pray for safe seafaring and a good haul of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Iwatsuhime<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

From the shrine, I walked down Kirakira Zaka (\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9\u5742)<\/strong>, or Glistening Slope, to reach the coast. The name of this picturesque little street comes likely from the glass atelier that sells glittering accessories and other glass crafts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I followed the path along the rocky coast<\/strong>. The area’s atmosphere is almost Mediterranean, different from many Japanese port towns I have been to before. It was a very pleasant stroll. As I passed by Fukuura Beach,<\/strong> I saw black kites majestically gliding through the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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