A gourmet day trip in the Hokusei region! Enjoy the history and nature of Yokkaichi and Suzuka♪

Introducing a trip to enjoy the history and nature of the Hokusei area along with its food. First, it takes about 30 minutes from the Nagoya Nishi IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway to reach the popular service area EXPASA Gozaisho (outbound). This is the starting point for a day of enjoying the Hokusei area. The facility was renovated a few years ago, so it looks stylish!

Near the main entrance, the ``area concierge'' guided us about the facility. Not only will they tell you about EXPASA Gozaisho, but they will also tell you a variety of information about Mie Prefecture.

The facility is very spacious and has several shops where you can purchase local souvenirs.

There is also a food court featuring local gourmet food! Another popular point is that it can be accessed from public roads.

[EXPASA Gozaisho (down)]
Address: 1491-1 Randoriguchi, Yamanoisshikicho, Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity
TEL 059-332-7323
Business hours Weekdays 8:00-18:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 7:00-18:00
Closed: Open all year round

First, we headed to YokkaichiCity suizawacho which is known as a ``tea producing area''. The high-quality and fragrant `` kabusetea'' is produced using a manufacturing method unique to this region. Tea fields spread out as far as the eye can see, and it feels great to drive around surrounded by greenery!

As I was driving through the tea fields, I came across a building that caught my attention. This is the company and store of `` Ise GreenTea'' which continues to preserve the taste of ``Ise tea'' in this area.

I was nervous, thinking, ``Maybe it's not a store where I can buy products...'' but when I got to the second floor of the building, I was warmly welcomed by the company's president, Hiroka Tsutsumi.

A wide selection of stylishly packaged products. In addition to green tea, there are also matcha and oolong tea.

[Oise Mairi Honpo Co., Ltd.]
Address: 1085 suizawacho YokkaichiCity
Phone number 059-329-2078
Business hours 8:00-17:00
Closed: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Next, we headed to Suzuka Forest Garden, which is famous for its weeping plums.

The person in charge of operations, Yoshihiko Matsubaya, was responding to customers near the ticket office. He kindly taught me about ``Suzuka Forest Garden.''

Approximately 200 famous trees collected from all over Japan are arranged in a well-balanced manner within the park.

The view from the best viewing spot. The scenery with the Suzuka Mountains in the background is spectacular!

Photography enthusiasts can be seen everywhere aiming for the best shots. Everyone is so enthusiastic!

[Research cultivation farm Suzuka Forest Garden]
Address 151-2 SuzukaCity
Phone number 059-371-1777
Business hours Opening period: Mid-February to Friday, March 31st
Opening hours: 9:00-21:00 *Opening period and business hours may vary depending on the flowering situation
Closed: Open every day during the period

It's almost lunch time. From Suzuka Forest Garden, we headed to Tsubaki Kaikan, which is about a 5-minute drive away. This facility is located within the precincts of TsubakiGrandShrine enshrines Sarutahiko Okami, who is known as the god who brings peace and happiness. It is widely used as a resting place for worshipers, as well as dining and lodging facilities.

At a restaurant, I ordered "Tori Meshi (Plum)" (648 yen (tax included)). I was very satisfied with the set meal, which included the well-seasoned ``torimeshi'' and the comfortingly delicious soup!

Souvenir corner of Tsubaki Kaikan. Various genres of products are lined up, including camellia-related goods and local souvenirs.

Purchase souvenirs that can only be purchased in this area. Choosing souvenirs is one of the best parts of traveling.

[Tsubaki Hall]
Address 1871 SuzukaCity
Phone number 059-371-1039
Business hours 9:00-17:00
No holidays

Finally, let's go to TsubakiGrandShrine. The approach to the shrine is surrounded by cedar, cypress, and camellia trees. The air is so clear and delicious!

A shrine with a mysterious appearance. In the main hall at the back, 32 deities are enshrined, including the main deity, Sarutahiko Okami.

Betsumiya Tsubakigishi Shrine is dedicated to Betsugu no Mikoto, the wife deity of Sarutahiko Okami, as its main deity. It has been worshiped since ancient times as a god of marital harmony, advancement in the entertainment industry, and marriage, and in recent years it has also attracted attention as a power spot. After visiting the shrine, I felt refreshed and refreshed.

[TsubakiGrandShrine]
Address 1871 SuzukaCity
Phone number 059-371-1515

Next we visited Kusamochi Specialty Matsuya. Arrived within 10 minutes by car from TsubakiGrandShrine.

The store has historical sweets beautifully displayed. There is also an eat-in space.

The store's signature product, ``Kusamochi'' (600 yen (tax included) for 5 pieces). The rice cakes are hand-wrapped by a craftsman who carefully checks the doneness of the rice cakes. It has a gentle taste that conveys politeness. We don't mass produce them, so we recommend making reservations.

The second most popular product after ``Kusamochi'' is ``Chanomi Couple Monaka''. The grained bean paste contains gyuhi, and the hikichaan contains chestnuts.

Ryoko Murata, the landlady. Thank you for your kind response!

[Kusamochi specialty Matsuya]
Address 399-2 Koshacho, SuzukaCity
Phone number 059-371-1023
Business hours 8:30-18:00
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and every Wednesday

The second restaurant is ``Shobidou'', also located in SuzukaCity. The store is easy to find as it faces a major street.

The interior of the store is clean and has a nice atmosphere with good lighting.

The famous Suzuka Sake Man (110 yen (tax included) per piece). A dish made with homemade strained bean paste made by slowly cooking carefully selected red beans, wrapped in soft dough made with local sake. It has an addictive taste that matches the flavor of alcohol and the sweetness of red beans. It won the gold medal at the 23rd National Confectionery Expo.

Seasonal sweets made with carefully selected ingredients. The strawberry daifuku (190 yen per piece (tax included)) and Fukigaki (240 yen per piece (tax included)) are particularly popular.

Even in the short time I was at the store, the ``Sake Man'' sold one after another.

[Matsumido sweets]
Address: 5075-45 SuzukaCity
Phone number 059-378-5570
Business hours 8:30-18:00
Closed on Monday

The last part of the day trip is the long-awaited dinner time. Go to "Tsuyaya" in front of Kintetsu "Shiroko" station. The restaurant is reminiscent of a Kyoto townhouse, and you can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with fresh local seafood and mountain produce.

A luxurious time begins in which you can enjoy your meal slowly in a calm atmosphere.

The head chef, Shoichi Suenaga, is a chef who dedicated IseJingu Sengu style knife to His Majesty the Emperor from 1989 to 1989. I can't help but admire the beautiful hand movements.

At the counter on the first floor, there are many obanzai (side dishes) that you will want to order. All Japanese dishes prepared by top-class chefs that make use of the best ingredients are exquisite! I'm also happy that it's reasonably priced.

[Men and large plate obanzai Tsuyaya]
AddressSuzuka SuzukaCity Shirako Station 15-12 Matsushita Building 1F
Phone number 059-368-0288
Business hours 17:30-22:30 (LO 22:00)
Closed on Sunday


A fun day came to an end in the blink of an eye. I was able to discover a lot of charms of Mie and had a very fulfilling holiday!

*Information as of July 2017. Dates, prices, etc. may have changed, so please check with your contact information before going out.