Access
Izumisano City is located approximately halfway between Osaka and Wakayama. It’s about a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute train ride from Kansai International Airport to the town center’s Rinku Town Station. Rinku Town Station is served by the Nankai Electric Railway and JR lines, providing convenient access to both Wakayama and Osaka. Additionally, there’s an outlet mall with shuttle buses running to and from Namba Station, Osaka Station, Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, and Kyoto Station. For more details, please check the Rinku Premium Outlets website in the related links section. Izumisano is conveniently located for exploring the Kansai region, making it an excellent stop on your travels.
About
Izumisano City has a rich natural environment, nestled between the Izumi Mountain Range and beautiful rivers and greenery. While the city has thrived in commerce, industry, agriculture, and fishing, the opening of Kansai International Airport has led to population growth and a flourishing of the commercial and service sectors.
We spoke with Tetsu Nakamichi from Marunaka Co., Ltd., the company behind the famous towel brand "Hiorie," which has been operating in Izumisano for 65 years.
Since the company’s founding, the region has been home to the Osaka Towel Industry Cooperative, making it a hub for towel production, fishing, and agriculture. Onions and mizunasu (water eggplant) are the primary agricultural products, while Osaka Bay provides a variety of fish, with pike conger dishes being popular in early summer. Locals also enjoy "gaccho" tempura, which is made from small fish commonly caught in Osaka Bay.
In this article, we will introduce spots you can visit as a tourist. For an article introducing gourmet spots, click here.
We first visited "Kotarina," a farmers' market run by JA Osaka Senshu, where locally grown vegetables and fruits are sold fresh daily.
Operating Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: Thursdays and during the New Year holidays
Mizunasu is mainly known for its high water content, comprising about 90% of its mass. It’s so juicy that water drips when squeezed by hand. Unlike other types of eggplant, it has minimal bitterness and thin skin, making it edible without cooking. Its unique texture and juicy flesh set mizunasu apart as a delicacy. Mizunasu is often enjoyed as a pickled dish.
Next, we visited the Aozora Market. Located by Osaka Bay, this bustling fishing port market is typically lively, but unfortunately, it was closed on the Wednesday we visited. The market usually holds very popular auctions at 2:00 PM. Inside the facility, visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and meals at the restaurants.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays and during the New Year holidays
With the port also closed, many boats were docked in the harbor.
Rinku Premium Outlets
Modeled after the historic port town of Charleston in the United States, Rinku Premium Outlets features approximately 250 brand stores in a beautiful resort-like setting with two-story buildings.Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (hours may vary during the New Year and seasonal changes)
Closed: Once a year (3rd Thursday in February)
Jigen-in Temple
While Izumisano City is known for its Hine Shrine, I’d also like to introduce Jigen-in, a temple affiliated with Ninna-ji in Kyoto. Established in 673, Jigen-in is the oldest temple in Senshu, featuring a National Treasure pagoda and several Important Cultural Properties, including the "Kondou".
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed: None
Visitors can experience lighting "Gokigan incense sticks," inscribed with wishes. You can choose the incense stick that aligns with your wish and offer prayers.
Gokigan Incense
From left to right:
Ancestral Memorial: To honor and commemorate ancestors.
Health: For personal health and well-being.
Healing: For the recovery of those who are currently ill.
Family Safety: To pray for family health and happiness and the prosperity of descendants.
Traffic Safety: To pray for protection from accidents.
Academic Success: To wish for success in studies and exams.
Prayer Procedure:
Decide on your wish and select an incense stick.
Insert money (100 yen per stick).
Light a candle using the provided lighter, then light the incense stick from the candle.
Conclusion
Although Izumisano might not be considered a metropolis, the fresh seafood, beautiful scenery, and thriving industries here offer a unique experience that leaves a lasting impression of human connection. With excellent accessibility, I recommend stopping by Izumisano when shopping or using the airport to experience Japanese culinary culture and local industries.Finally, let me introduce you to "Hiorie," a towel brand by Marunaka Co., Ltd., that assisted us during this visit.
Hiorie is a factory brand committed to "Made in Japan," specializing in Senshu towels woven at their own factory in Osaka Senshu. They continuously develop and improve their products based on customer feedback, ensuring satisfaction and joy in using their towels.
Their most popular product, the "Hotel Style Towel," has sold over 10 million units. It’s made with a thicker combed cotton yarn and woven with a long pile, offering a fluffy texture and excellent absorbency. It’s also a highly appreciated gift.
The "Big Face Towel" is another carefully designed product, sized between a bath towel and a face towel. It’s large enough to dry an adult after a bath with just one towel yet more compact than a bath towel, making it very popular.
Hiorie also focuses on color options, offering shades like mocha and light gray that blend well with Japanese home interiors, which were previously hard to find in Japanese-made products.
We invite you to try their towels and experience their quality for yourself.
Hiorie towels are available for international shipping through LUXCRAS. Sales are held periodically, so be sure to check it out.
Related Links
Rinku Premium OutletsKotarina
Aozora Market