The most popular pass in Kumano old path
Distance appx 7.5km
Walking time appx 2.5 hours
Level For armature
The cobble street which appears to be made in Edo Period still protects it from Owase’s rain which still ranks at the top-class amount of rainfall now. It is said to be the most beautiful cobble streets which remain all over the places as well as the historic sites. So, you can sense the history and culture while slowly walking in the beautiful forest of the Japanese cypress in Owase on your own pace.
This is the very course for the hardy hiker among Iseji.
Distance appx 10 km
Walking time appx 4 hours
Level For hardy hiker
Despite the height, it is the very hardy hiker’s course in Iseji with the steep slope and the cobble street as staircase structure. Many bandits and wolves were used to appear and made the pilgrims suffer. So, there are a lot of memorial monuments and Ksitigarbhas. Furthermore, the huge panorama landscape can be seen from the cherry blossom forest area.
You can enjoy the cam hiking such as the beautiful cobble streets and the abatises.
Distance appx 5 km
Walking time appx .5 hours
Level For armature
Many precious historic sites of Sone remain in the pass which is located at the city border between Owase-shi and Kumano-shi.
There are the pilgrims memorial monuments since passing the passes seemed difficult after Yakiyama, a hardest part. There are several spots where you can see Tategasaki in the woods.
Scenic pass where you can see the ocean in the woods.
Distance appx 6 km
Walking time appx 3 hours
Level For amateurs
Recently, it was discovered by the local people.. Though the natural paths are cut in many places, it is good scenic pass where you can see the ocean in the woods. The wonderful abatises that continue from the pass are said to be the longest in the region, which tells the story about the existence of the people who lived there.
Owase thermal power plant brought the curtain down on its 54 years of history in 2018.
In 1964, The plant 1 and 2 started to operate, and the plant 3 was built in 1987, which met the high demand of the electricity during the period of rapid economic growth and achieved high performances against the high demand of the electricity during summer.
It is very symbol of Showa and Heisei eras for those who live in Owase and work at the thermal power plant.
Celebrating the registration of a World Heritage site of Kumano old paths, ‘ Iseji’(the hallow ground in Kii mountains and the pilgrimage path), this facility was constructed by Mie Prefecture for providing those who visit the old path with the information around the Kumano old paths and the area around the old paths so that the interaction with the locals and the promotion of the local places are performed.
This is the activity to sense ’the present’ and ‘the past 'of Owase-shi by interacting the landscape of the city and the nature.
The members of ‘Country guide’ who are passionate in the research are always waiting for you, being looking forward to telling you the abundant nature, history, and culture of Owase from the tourist information center ‘Machikado HOT center’.
Fare 2000 yen (Guide 1 person)
【available time】 2hours in between 10:00~15:00
Target: Group of more than 3 people
(One guide can take up to 20 people approximately.)
Transportation
●Kumano Owase road about 20 minutes’ drive from Kata IC
●JR Kisei main line about 40 minutes’ walk from Kata station
●Take Fureai Basuharaso line for ‘Sone’, and walk
The festival is held at the south west of Sone machi, Jyonoshiro (Sone castle ruin) , and Shiroyama park at the base of a mountain at 180-meter elevation.
About 2000 Rhododendron weyrichiies grow in there and various events hosted by the locals are taken place.
Transportation
●JR Kisei main line about 10 minutes’ walk from Owase station
●Kisei Expressway about 5 minutes’ drive from Owase north IC
The specialties such as fresh fish, dried foods, vegetables, fruits and prepared foods are sold with the special discount prices exclusively for Itadaki market.
Every month, various events such as customers’ participatory events, concerts and bazaars for children are held. We can ship those products to the local places on the spots, so the customers from far can feel free to enjoy shopping♪
Please come to Owase Itadaki market on each Saturday morning every month!