Nadagogo, one of Japan’s most renowned sake-producing regions, is dotted with historic breweries. Two of its five districts, Nishinomiya and Imazu, are located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, offering convenient access from Kobe and Osaka. Even on a day trip, you can enjoy tasting premium sake and unique sake-inspired sweets. The surrounding area is filled with famous spots, including a powerful shrine, local specialty shops and the iconic Hanshin Koshien Stadium—a beloved holy ground for baseball fans.
Here, we introduce a model itinerary to help you fully enjoy a day exploring all the wonders of Nishinomiya!

First of all, let’s head to Nishinomiya Station by Hanshin Railway!

From Hanshin Main Line Kobe-Sannomiya Station to Nishinomiya Station, it only takes 15 minutes by limited express train.
From Hanshin Main Line Osaka-Umeda Station, it takes 16 minutes by limited express train.

↓ Walk about 5 mins to the next destination

Nishinomiya Shrine has been known as the main shrine of Ebisu, the god of prosperity, this shrine is famed for its blessings in business success and wealth.

One of the entrances, known as the “Red Gate” or Omote Daimon, is said to have been donated in 1604. Alongside the grand 247-meter-long earthen wall on either side, it is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

It is about 300 meters from the Red Gate to the Haiden (main worship hall), where visitors can offer their prayers. Behind the Haiden stands the main hall, which is also a National Treasure with its rare architectural style called Sannen Kasuga-zukuri, featuring three contiguous roofs. The majestic structure and sacred atmosphere here are sure to make anyone feel uplifted and reverent.
And, of course, you won’t want to leave without drawing an omikuji fortune slip! Unlike most shrines, which rank Daikichi (Great Fortune) as the highest, this shrine includes the special Daifuku (Great Blessing), said to bring even greater luck. Give it a try and test your luck!
The expansive grounds are filled with lush greenery, offering beautiful seasonal views all year round—one of the shrine’s unique charms. Take your time to relax, recharge, and soak up the spiritual energy here.

↓ Walk about 2 mins to the next destination

If you head toward east of Nishinomiya Shrine, Tsumiki, a beloved spot renowned for its dedication to broth, is right beside it. The broth is crafted from Hokkaido’s high-quality kombu and premium bonito flakes from Kagoshima. The diverse fusion menu showcases the umami-rich dashi flavor, expertly prepared by a head chef with a background in traditional Japanese cuisine. Every dish here is delicately seasoned to highlight the natural taste of each ingredient, creating a refined and comforting dining experience.

The restaurant’s signature dish, dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet with dashi), is a must-try. It is made by blending beaten eggs with a generous amount of dashi and then cooked to a fluffy, melt-in-the-mouth perfection. When you take a bite, the rich dashi flavor bursts forth, delivering a juicy, delicate texture that’s hard to resist! This beloved dish attracts not only locals but also fans who travel from afar just for a taste.
For lunch, you can enjoy options like the Tsumiki Dashimaki Gozen, with dashimaki tamago as the main dish, along with Hamburg Gozen and Tempura Gozen sets. Dashimaki can also be ordered à la carte, making it easy to pair with other dishes for a fuller experience!
In addition, take-out service is available for bento boxes so you can also choose to enjoy it outside or for a picnic.

↓ Walk about 8 mins to the next destination

Near Nishinomiya Shrine, another must-visit shop is called COFFEE HOUSE FIELD, which is specialized in coffee and renowned for its unique lineup of self-imported, single-origin green beans, each expertly roasted in-house.

They offer a selection of 7-9 different types of coffee, each brewed by skilled baristas right before your eyes. Alongside the coffee, you can enjoy light bites such as toast, hot dogs, and pound cakes, all perfectly paired to enhance the experience. The cozy, aromatic ambiance of the shop is ideal for taking a relaxing break.

Locally adored as “Ebessan,” Ebisu is represented in a special illustration on the packaging of the “Ebessan Blend” coffee, making it a unique and meaningful souvenir. This original blend is crafted with a wish for prosperity and is known for its chocolate flavor and gentle berry-like sweetness. For those who want to enjoy a premium coffee experience at home, drip bags are also available, allowing you to savor this specialty blend conveniently.

↓ Walk about 12 mins to the next destination

Another great lunch spot is Hakushika Classics, a restaurant and also sake shop operated by Tatsuuma Honke Brewing, the makers of the renowned sake brand Hakushika, with a brewing history spanning over 360 years in Nadagogo.

The shop offers a lineup of exclusive namazake, seasonal limited-edition brews, and original sake vessels. Unique to this facility, you can also purchase freshly pressed undiluted sake in three varieties by volume—directly from the brewery!

The restaurant, themed “Flowers, Food, and Sake,” offers a seasonal menu rich with ingredients that reflect the shifting beauty of Japan’s seasons. Among the most popular dishes is a course featuring 100% buckwheat juwari soba, paired with dishes like hot pot and tempura. Unique to this location, some dishes use a secret sakekasu dashi (sake lees broth) made from sake lees directly from the brewery. The pairing of exclusive sake with exquisitely prepared Japanese cuisine creates a truly exceptional dining experience you can only enjoy here.

Next to it is the Sake Museum (Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake). Here displays the traditional sake brewing process and tools, as well as collections of artworks from the Tatsuuma family.

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↓ Walk about 12 mins to the next destination

The Nihon Sakari Sakagura Dori Rengakan stands out with its striking, heavy red brick modern architecture. It is a complex operated by the famous sake brewer company Nihon Sakari. You can also find a restaurant, sake stores and even a glass workshop here.

visitors can enjoy tastings of freshly delivered namazake directly from the neighboring brewery (for a fee), as well as purchase sake by measure. They also offer a selection of sweets made with sake, giving you an even deeper appreciation for the unique flavors and versatility of Japanese sake.

The glass workshop offers an up-close view of the crafting process for sake vessels, tableware, and glass art objects, along with hands-on experiences like glassblowing and sandblasting! In the glassblowing activity, you’ll wrap molten glass—reaching temperatures of thousands of degrees—around a blowpipe and shape it by blowing air to create items like a single-flower vase or tumbler. The sandblasting experience involves applying stencils to a glass surface and blasting fine sand to engrave patterns, resulting in a unique glass creation.

Come and craft your own glassware to enjoy the sake!

↓ Walk about 11 mins to the next destination

For afternoon tea time, let’s go to “Ama-no-Kanjuan”,which is operated by Oseki brewery which has been brewing for more than 310 years. The store showcases an impressive selection of fine sakes, where you can try freshly pressed raw sake by the glass (for a fee) or purchase it by volume. Additionally, it offers a variety of sake-infused sweets and drinks, making it a treat even for those who might not typically enjoy alcohol.

Among the popular sweets, start with the classic sake manju, eat along with sweet sake tarts, sake-infused chocolates, and baumkuchen made with sake rice flour—all perfect as gifts. The diverse selection of sweets offers a delicious way to bring a taste of the brewery home with you!

In the cafe area, you can enjoy unique sake-inspired sweets, like castella soaked in premium daiginjo sake, special soft-serve ice cream made with blended sake manju, and amazake enriched with sake lees probiotics. Take a relaxing break as you gaze at the courtyard, basking in the sunlight filtering through the cozy interior.

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↓ Walk about 15 mins to the next destination

The remarkable western style building Rokkakudo was built in 1882 next to the Imazu elementary school.

At the time when western architecture are not that common, it is designed as an elementary school building and is the second oldest sculpture.

After surviving the ravages of the Pacific War, the historic Rokkakudo once faced the threat of demolition. However, thanks to the dedication of the local community who cherished it, the building was preserved. It even withstood the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 and is now carefully maintained within the grounds of Imazu Elementary School.

Since Rokkakudo is located within the grounds of Imazu Elementary School, entry without permission is not allowed. However, you can view the entire building from the surrounding sidewalks. Take a moment to pause and admire the exterior while reflecting on the long history that this building represents.

Note: As of November 2024, interior tours are currently suspended. Even for exterior viewing, please refrain from entering the school grounds without permission.

↓ Walk about 15 mins to the next destination

When coming to Nishinomiya, Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the one spot that you shouldn’t miss. It is the first full-scale baseball stadium in Japan established in 1924, and 2024 celebrates its 100th anniversary. Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the venue for high school baseball games as well as the home court of Hanshin Tigers, a Japanese professional baseball team in the Central League.

With a total area of 38,500 square meters and a capacity of approximately 47,000 people, the stadium boasts about its top-class scale even among all 12 professional baseball stadiums.

From spring to autumn, professional ang high-school baseball games are held here. If your travel plans are scheduled during the season, why not watch a thrilling baseball game in Japan!

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For those who couldn’t get a ticket for any baseball game, a facility connected to the stadium called Museum of Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Koshien Plus is highly recommended.
The museum exhibits items and historical materials about the stadium and Hanshin Tigers. Also, real images that allow visitors to experience the speed of Tigers player’s pitching, as well as VR videos of the moving moments after winning are available.

The Museum of Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the perfect place to know about Japanese baseball culture and hope you can have fun there!

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From savoring local sake and popular regional dishes to relaxing in the peaceful ambiance of the town, a day in Nishinomiya offers diverse experiences. Use this one-day itinerary to make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in the many charms of Nishinomiya. Enjoy every moment exploring this unique destination!