Disseminating Local Food Culture Through Dining, Gift Shop, and Salon

Nishimuraya, a long-established ryokan with 150 years of history in Kinosaki Onsen, located amidst the rich mountains of Tajima in northern Hyogo Prefecture and the Sea of Japan, has opened Sanpo Nishimuraya Honten. Kinosaki Onsen, known as the birthplace of the 'soto-yu meguri' (visiting outdoor hot springs) tradition, features seven unique outdoor baths along the Daitani River flowing through the center of the hot spring town. The new establishment aims to offer novel ways to enjoy the hot spring resort, welcoming a wide range of tourists who come to experience the soto-yu meguri.

Sanpo Nishimuraya Honten is a 'center for dissemination,' conveying and weaving the food culture of Tajima. It comprises three areas: the 'Dining' area, serving Japanese cuisine that highlights local ingredients; the 'Gift Shop,' offering original brand products developed and manufactured by Nishimuraya, as well as carefully selected local ingredients and traditional crafts chosen by Nishimuraya; and the 'Salon,' where visitors can relax with light meals and snacks. The shop's name, 'Sanpo,' reflects the spirit of 'Sanpo Yoshi' (good for three parties), which is also incorporated into Nishimuraya's corporate philosophy. It also signifies gratitude towards Sanpo Kojin, the local guardian deity and protector of the hearth and fire for inns in this hot spring region.

Dining Featuring Abundant Local Ingredients with Visible Producers

The heart of the dining area, with its warm wooden interior, is the counter seating arranged around a central hearth. Here, guests can experience the thrill of watching the chefs prepare dishes right before their eyes. As the cooking begins, the savory aroma from the hearth and the crackling of the charcoal stimulate the appetite, engaging the senses even before the meal is served.



The ingredients are meticulously selected by the head chef, who personally visits producers to ensure traceability. For instance, the wasabi served with the local sashimi is from Kitamura Wasabi, a company with 300 years of history in Tajima. Cultivated using mineral-rich spring water from the local Kannabe Highlands, this wasabi offers a subtle sweetness and aroma in its aftertaste. The restaurant sources seasonal vegetables from Nakatsukasa Farm, known for its gentle flavors derived from organic farming methods. The creamy arugula flowers, with their refreshing bitterness, complement the main dish of Tajima beef sirloin.



Additionally, the menu features traditional Tajima ingredients such as 'Sanjuohakukokumai' (38-grain rice), made by sowing 38 different varieties of rice seeds together, and homemade 100% buckwheat soba noodles made with 'Akabana Soba,' an ancient Japanese native strain. Desserts made with 'Mikata Dainagon Azuki' beans, a local specialty, are also offered, showcasing the culinary skills of the restaurant's chefs using a wealth of Tajima's unique traditional ingredients.

The Gift Shop Showcases Original Brands

The elegantly designed gift shop is dedicated to local products and originality, ranging from food items to crafts. Among Nishimuraya's original brand products is 'Asakurayama Sansho and Red Snow Crab Sansho,' a delicacy where the fluffy sweetness and texture of red snow crab are accented by the piquant spiciness of sansho pepper. 'Tajima Beef Shigureni,' thinly sliced Tajima beef simmered in carefully selected seasonings by Nishimuraya's chefs, offers a rich flavor.





In terms of crafts, original tableware made of 'Izushi-yaki' pottery, characterized by its clear white hue, is recommended. The design, based on a triangle representing 'Sanpo' (three treasures) and the color white symbolizing purification and cleanliness, expresses gratitude to Sanpo Kojin, the ancient guardian deity of Kinosaki Onsen, and a wish for the customers to live each day with brightness. These pieces are also used in the restaurant's dining area. The shop also offers 'Mugiwara Zaiko' (straw crafts), a traditional Kinosaki craft known for its vibrant colors and beautiful luster.

Salon with an Attached Letter Lounge

The second-floor 'Salon' space, arranged around a central atrium chimney, was created to offer a relaxing and luxurious experience after a day of visiting the hot springs. Here, guests can enjoy a snack buffet (paid) featuring light meals made with local ingredients and tastings of local sake, providing a perfect spot to unwind.

Kinosaki Onsen is also famous as a town beloved by many literary figures. Numerous renowned writers, including Naoya Shiga, who published the novel 'Kinosaki Nite' based on his experiences in Kinosaki, as well as Fujimura Shimazaki and Akiko Yosano, have visited this area. Leveraging this literary heritage, the salon features a letter lounge where visitors can write letters. A photo gallery showcasing the landscapes of Tajima is also available, offering a tranquil space to relax during a stroll.

A New Place of Relaxation for Tourists

The willow-lined banks of the Daitani River and the stone-arched bridge—Kinosaki's atmospheric townscape has recently garnered attention from international tourists, particularly from Europe and North America. Sanpo Nishimuraya Honten welcomes all visitors to Kinosaki, proposing a new, more elegant, and luxurious way to enjoy the town.



Sanpo Nishimuraya Honten
Address | 463-2 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
TEL | 0796-32-4680
Business Hours |
Dining
Dinner Time
18:00–23:00 (Last Order 21:30)
Lunch Time
11:00–14:30 (Last Order 13:30) *Lunch available on Saturdays and Sundays only
Gift Shop
10:00–23:00
Salon
10:00–23:00
¥2,000 (excl. tax) / All-day access per adult

Prices | Dinner courses include 'Tajima Beef Charcoal Grill and Seasonal Vegetables' (Tajima beef sirloin delicately cooked over charcoal with seasonal grilled vegetables) for ¥8,000, and 'Shojin Saishoku' (a low-calorie, gluten-free vegetarian course luxuriously using seasonal local vegetables) for ¥8,000, along with à la carte options. Lunch options include the 'Tajima Chicken Oyako Gozen' for ¥1,600. (All prices exclude tax).


Closed | Wednesdays
URL:http://www.sanpou-nishimuraya.com