Kin-san of Shiroyama is Wakuya's official PR Character!

At a Glance

Wakuya is a peaceful town nestled in between Misato and Tome. Famous for both rice (in a prefecture known for its rice!) and the cherry blossoms around its castle, it's a nice place to stop in at.

There is a gold museum (天平ローマン館), as gold was discovered here during the Heian Period. The gold was used to cover the Daibutsu of Nara, and for 600 yen, you can pan for your own gold! There's a golf course on offer as well! Luckily for you, Wakuya is train-accessible.

• Places to Eat
• Places to Visit
  
• Things to Do
  

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Restaurants

Tsukimichi
A Hamburg steak restaurant (which also serves ramen!) popular with the townsfolk. They also offer desserts made with locally grown strawberries.

Boscolo
A fried pork cutlet restaurant (which also offers pizza and ramen?) located on Route 346. While the inside is a bit cluttered, it does give quite the homey atmosphere. Try the katsukare!

Date no Sato -だての里
A no nonsense set menu restaurant; choose from either the A or B option - which change daily - or order from their small list of a la carte options. All the options are good though!

Sushi Restaurants

Miura - 割烹みうら
A sushi restaurant located on the banks of the Eai river. A very traditional yet warm setting, with plenty of fresh fish on offer. NOTE: Google Maps will direct you to the house nextdoor - if you continue down the road a tiny bit, you'll see the sign for the shop.

Cafés

Leche
Located on Route 346, this small cafe has all you'd expect; a warm atmosphere, decent desserts, and nice lunch sets. Whether just passing through or looking for a nice cafe, they have you covered!

Shinmachiura Coffee Roasters - 新町裏珈琲
A coffee roaster right in downtown Wakuya! Roasting beans daily, they have their own special blends and roasts on offer.

Parlor Tabi - パーラー旅
A cafe/restaurant in business since 1970! Still retaining most of the Showa Era charm, it does feel like stepping back in time when you enter. Known for their special katsukare, they also offer spaghetti, sandwiches, and a few set meals as well.

Japanese Sweets

Saito - 斎藤菓子店
A small Japanese dessert shop located on a one-way road. Known for their castella and dorayaki - both of which are sold at incredibly reasonable prices!

Memory - メモリー
A small patisserie in Wakuya.

Miyagi ​Lapras Pokemon Manhole - Mudsdale
You can find Mudsdale by walking a bit from Wakuya Station. It's in a weird spot inside the parking lot area at the meeting hall area next to the pachinko parlor.  Why Mudsdale? Because Wakuya is where the first gold mine was created! Now, Wakuya is known for it's rice production.

Shrines

Koganeyama Jinja - 黄金山神社
In Wakuya, you can find Koganeyama Shrine which literally means Golden Mountain in English. It is the site of the first gold mine in Japan. It is protected as a National Historical Site. 

Wakuya Castle Runs - 涌谷城跡
While the original castle is long gone, there is a reproduction of the castle's keep standing in the original's spot. It is a famous spot in the prefecture for cherry blossom viewing in spring. The road running past the tower is lined with flowering cherries which show their splendor come each spring. Definitely worth a visit!

Konpoji Temple - 箟峯寺
A very old temple located atop one of the mountains in Wakuya. Dating from around the late Heian Period, the temple has a bit of a mysterious air to it. There is an observation deck located behind the temple which provides a nice view of the area.

Museums

Tenpyo Roman-kan - 天平ろまん館
Located right next to Koganeyama Shrine in Wakuya, this museum is a great visit! This is the place where much of the gold used in the construction of the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple was mined from. For 1100 yen, you can take a look inside the museum for a quick history lesson on how gold was mined in the Nara Period AND you can try your hand out gold panning yourself! 

Hot Springs

Wakuya Tenpyo Hot Spring - わくや天平の湯
A nice man-made hot spring facility in Wakuya. Has a sauna on offer, along with the usual style of bathing facilities. There's even a fruit and vegetable stand on the grounds of the facility, so you can shop after your relaxing stay!