Reporters love cool scenes of flowing water, such as waterfalls, rivers, and the sea. However, in the city center, such a view is very rare. When I heard that there is a “beautiful blue spring” just a short distance from Hanshin Mikage Station, I immediately went to report on it.
The place is located at the south exit of Hanshin Electric Railway Mikage Station, turn right and go straight ahead.
I was skeptical, “Is it really in a place like this? I was skeptical, but then I saw a large stone torii gate with the words “Sawanoi” written on it.
The area behind the torii gate was dimly lit and cool because it was under an elevated railway line. When I peeked through the fence, the water was clear blue and very beautiful! The vividness and beauty of the water seems to cleanse the heart.
A stone monument in front of the spring tells an interesting story. According to the inscription, “When Empress Jingu visited this spring, she reflected her face in the water and changed her makeup. The beauty of her appearance is said to have given rise to the name of the place, Mikage.
It is also said that this spring has been called “Sawanoi” for some time and that sake made from this spring was presented to Emperor Godaigo. The long history of this sake brewery, which is also known as “Nada Gogo,” can be felt here as well.
The stone monument refers to Sawano-i as a “sacred spring. The word “Reisen” is said to refer to “a spring or hot spring with mysterious effects. Since the days when the term “power spot” did not exist, many people have felt the power of the mysterious beauty of these springs.
A handsome turtle rests on a bridge in the center of the spring.
Water was flowing from the rock in the center, and the sound of the water flowing in the quiet space was also wonderful (by the way, the turtle on the rock is a fake).
(The turtle on this rock is a fake, by the way).
There is also a stone monument on the north side of Mikage Station that reads “Sawanoi no Chi” (place of Sawanoi), and there is also beautiful water flowing here. The fountain under the elevated railway tracks is fenced off, but you can get a closer look at this monument, so please enjoy viewing it as well.
Detailed information
- Location
- Sawanoi
(4-12 Mikagehoncho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe)
Google Map