Owase (尾鷲市, Owase-shi) is a city located in the south of Mie, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 21,002 and the density of 109 persons per km². The total area is 193.16 km².

Owase was formed from the merger of many small towns including Owase, Sugari, Mikisato, Kuki, and Osonemura. It was founded on June 20, 1954.

Get in

By car

Owase can be accessed by car via National Highway Route 42.

By train

From Nagoya there are three options.

• Take a JR Rapid train (Nanki Wide View) to JR Owase Station. The train ride takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs ¥5730.
• Take a highway bus from Nagoya Meitetsu bus terminal to Owase. The one way bus ride takes approximately 3 hours and costs ¥3000.
• The slower local JR lines are cheaper at ¥3320, but this takes a grueling 4 hrs and 45 mins.

From Osaka, take a Kintetsu train to Matsusaka. At Matsusaka, take the JR to Owase.

From Shingu, take either the Nanki Express or the local JR train to Owase.

See

• Some of the components of the UNESCO World Heritage site Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range are located here.

• 1 Magose Toge (馬越峠). A popular hiking trail on the Kumano Kodo - Ise-ji Route. There is a hiking trail which leads to Mt. Tengura, overlooking Owase City. (updated Dec 2015)

• 2 Kumano Kodo Centre (熊野古道センター) (The nearest train station is JR Osoneura or you can also take the bus to the Kumano Kodo Centre bus-stop.), ☏ +81 597-25-2666, info@kumanokodocenter.com. Constructed entirely from cypress wood (the tree of Owase), the Kumano Kodo Centre features exhibits on the origins and history of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. A playground, also made entirely from cypress, is located nearby. (updated Dec 2015)

• 3 Yume Kodo (夢古道の湯) (Near the Kumano Kodo Centre. The nearest train station is JR Osoneura or you can take the bus to Kumano Kodo Centre.), ☏ +81 597-22-1124. A deep sea water onsen, which has healing properties, as well as sauna rooms. (updated Dec 2015)

• 4 Owase Jinja (尾鷲神社). This shrine is a historical monument in Owase. It's well known for an ancient, sacred tree which is aged over 1,000 years old. Also the venue for every year's Ya Ya Matsuri. (updated Dec 2015)

• 5 Kongobuji (金剛寺) (Beside the Owase Jinja.). Built during the Edo Era, the Kongobuji has two fierce-looking deity statues guarding the entrance. (updated Dec 2015)

• 6 Mikisato Beach (三木里ビーチ) (Near JR Mikisato Station.). A beautiful white sandy beach, with clear turquoise waters. (updated Dec 2015)

• 7 Sugari (須賀利) (In the east of Owase.). Sugari is best accessed by a 20 minute ferry ride from Owase Port. It is an untouched, beautiful fishing village with friendly residents who would be more than happy to show visitors around. As of 2008, Sugari has a declining population of less than 200 people, with the majority aged above 60 years old. (updated Dec 2015)

• 8 Kuki (九鬼) (Take the JR train to Kuki.). Like Sugari, Kuki is also a beautiful fishing town. If you are lucky, you will be able catch seagulls and comorant fishing at its best. Try the famed Kuki's tiger rolls, which come in two flavours - red bean or fresh cream. (updated Dec 2015)

Festivals

• Ya Ya Matsuri (ヤーヤ祭り). Feb 1-5. The biggest festival in Owase is the Ya Ya Matsuri. In the evenings of the 2nd to the 4th, men parade around the streets, jostling each other and chanting "Ya Ya" while drinking sake before the "chosen" ones dive into the sea to purify themselves. The festival ends off with a day-long street parade on the 5th featuring dance performances and finally, an archery contest at Owase Jinja. (updated Dec 2015)

• Owase Port Matsuri (おわせ港まつり). First Sa in Aug. A summer festival showing an impressive fireworks display. (updated Dec 2015)

• Hachiman Jinja Matsuri (八幡神社例祭). Sep 15. This festival marks a tribute to the Hachiman Jinja, located near the Owase Port. It begins with a day-long parade before culminating at the shrine. (updated Dec 2015)

Do

• Itadaki Market (イタダキ市). 1st Sa each month, 9AM-1PM. A monthly market featuring over 40 stalls where you can buy Owase's local produce such as fresh seafood, dried fish, sea salt, and jam. At the market, you'll also be able to enjoy special dance and taiko performances by the locals. (updated Dec 2015)

Eat

• 1 Kotobuki Shokudo (ことぶき食堂) (In front of Owase Station.), ☏ +81 597-22-9117. This old restaurant has food that is great tasting and comes in huge portions. Recommended eats include the Giant Katsu Set, Giant Ebi Fry Set, Inoshishi (wild boar) Don and Champon (Nagasaki Noodles). (updated Dec 2015)

• 2 Moriba (もりば) (On National Highway Route 42.), ☏ +81 597-23-3808. Moriba is well loved for its Tempura, Tebasaki (Chicken wings) and Miso Katsu. (updated Dec 2015)

• 3 Oni Gawara (鬼瓦) (Near the train station.), ☏ +81 597-22-8055. If you'd like to experience the freshness of Owase's sea produce, this is the place to go. The sashimi set meal comes in 3 sizes and is highly recommended for sashimi lovers. (updated Dec 2015)

• 4 Hao Hao Han Ten (好好飯天) (On National Highway Route 42.), ☏ +81 597-23-2280. A Chinese restaurant offering refined Chinese food. Popular dishes include the ten shin han, mapo han, and the pirikara szechuan ramen. (updated Dec 2015)

• Hei Wa En (平和園). For a taste of authentic Chinese food, visit Hei Wa En. The owners come from Dahlian, China and serve traditional Chinese food. (updated Dec 2015)

• 5 Inaka (かっぽう田舎), ☏ +81 597-22-8868. Famous for its affordable lunch sets consisting of 8 small side dishes, typically usually sashimi, a stewed meat, vegetables, soup, and rice. Lunch sets ¥800. (updated Dec 2015)

• Nakao (なか尾). Get your fill of collagen filled tonkotsu ramen at this ramen house. (updated Dec 2015)

• 6 Yume Kodo Mother's Lunch Buffet (夢古道 お母ちゃんのランチバイキング), ☏ +81 597-22-1124. 11AM-2PM. Popular for its "all you can eat" country style buffet every Sunday. Run by an NPO, meals are prepared by 4 groups of volunteers (very friendly obasans), who take turns to cook every week. It's delicious country-style, home-cooked food that you won't be able to taste in typical Japanese restaurants. The buffet is so famous that some people travel from Nagoya or Osaka to eat it. Go early to prevent disappointment. ¥1200. (updated Dec 2015)

Go next

Routes through Owase

Wakayama ← Kumano ←

W  E

→ Tsu → Kameyama