sakuragawa GOLDEN DRIVE ROUTE
The formal name is “Amabikisan Rakuhoji”. Around A.D. 740, Emperor Shomu and his wife Empress Komyo prayed for safe birth and had miraculous effects. Ever since, the old temple has been reknowned as a temple for “safe birth and raising healthy children.”
“Medical Food Source”, “Local product for local consumption”, “Hand-made” are the three principles for this healthy and tasty Chinese restaurant. It’s located at the foot of the mountain and you can enjoy your lunch and dim-sum as you take in the grand nature of the changing seasons.
This camp site beside the lake, Uenonuma in the northwestern part of Sakuragawa City is a relaxing place to enjoy the beautiful forest and lake throughout the year. There’s an auto camp site, cabins, barbecue sites, tennis courts and multi-purpose sports field and children’s playground.
The perfect place to start touring the city of Makabe. There’s a “historical information exihibit” and a “tourist information counter” where you can acquire pamphlets with street guides and many other information about the area.
This is an important preservation district for traditional buildings. Square-shaped intersections, characteristic of a castle town and traditional townhouses, earthen warehouses of the Edo Period to the early Showa Period line the streets and add historical value to the area.
Every local knows this famous meat and deli store. “Traditional croquettes” are the specialties of the store. It’s fun taking a stroll along the streets of Makabe with a freshly fried croquette in your hand.
A gallery owned by Takako Ishizuka, a local artist of Sakuragawa City. From stained glass to cutouts, from bold works to sensitive ones, you can enjoy different works each season on your stroll through Makabe. The works can be seen through glass.
This is a dyeing craft salon inside what was once a stone storehouse of a sake brewery in the city of Makabe. It’s a gallery introducing kimono and textiles from all parts of Japan. The owner of the store and the young master will kindly explain the craft.
A café with a retro atmosphere in the old city streets of Makabe. Check out the exhibit of the local Makabe product, the temple bell made by Kotabe Casting. Freshly ground coffee, maccha tea and various alcohol beverages are served. Hand-made cakes, beef stew and pasta are popular here.
Founded in 1172. This is a casting factory with over 800 years of history. There are very few casting factories that build temple bells and this is the only one in the Kanto area. Nowadays, small wind chimes in the shape of temple bells are popular souvenirs.
The Nishioka house, which is a registered cultural property in the streets of Makabe, was originally built as a brewery for sake. Now, it is used as a store. You can shop and also take a tour of the brewery.
In Sakuragawa City, sturgeons are being cultured using the city’s clean waters. This restaurant serves sturgeon and caviar dishes. An old traditional cottage has been refurbished as a restaurant.
Miso stewed set 1200 yen, Caviar on canape 500 yen. Take-out available.
The granite that is produced in Makabe City is called “Makabe stone”. It is known to be solid and refined and does not fade in color or luster. The stone is used to make garden lanterns but recently, small lanterns for interiors are becoming popular.
A store specializing in stone sculpture. Unique stone statues of the Buddha and monuments are carefully crafted by sculptor, Tomoaki Sato.
An authentic soba shop inside an old traditional thatched roof cottage at the foot of Mount Kaba. Hand-made soba using fresh spring water to make 100% pure buckwheat noodles.
Soba set 1500 yen； Soba with tempura 1000 yen. Reservation is required.
A panoramic restaurant on the foothills of Tsukuba. Enjoy the Chef’s specials using local produce; lunch (1800 yen~) and dinner (5000yen ~; need to reserve from 2 days prior to the date of visit) Accommodation is available and can be used as a casual auberge inn.
Kinoko Mountain at an altitude of 527.9m is a panoramic viewpoint in Makabe-cho. It takes 20 minutes by car from Sakuragawa Chikusei IC. The sunset in the north of Tuskuba Ranges is beautiful. You can also enjoy hang-gliders. Denshoji Temple and Densho Hot Springs are located in the west of the mountain.
