A Relaxing Day Trip to Takarazuka Featuring Famous Sandwiches, Kobe Beef, and a Luxury Hot Spring Ryokan

In the fresh morning air, I began my day at the Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda.
Cup Noodles, something I’ve been familiar with since childhood. Here, visitors can create their very own original cup noodles, making it a true “food and play” museum where you can see, learn, and create.

Be sure to also take note of the passionate spirit of the founder, Momofuku Ando.

What left the strongest impression on me was the “Instant Ramen Tunnel,” showcasing around 800 different packages that began with Chicken Ramen.
Seeing such an overwhelming variety, I was deeply impressed by their constant drive for innovation and evolution.

With guidance from the staff, I completed my very own “My Cup Noodles,” choosing the soup and toppings myself.
I was even able to design the package, so I created one featuring my own name.
The finished cup was placed in a balloon-like air package, making it a perfect souvenir from the trip.

Strolling Slowly Through the Streets of Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture
Leaving the Cup Noodles Museum behind, I headed toward Takarazuka City.

It takes only about 14 minutes by train from Ikeda Station in Osaka to reach this town filled with lush greenery.
I was pleasantly surprised by how peaceful the scenery became after leaving the city for just a short while.

The first place I visited was the famous sandwich shop “Le Mans,” located not far from the Takarazuka Grand Theater.
This long-established shop has been beloved for many years by the Takarazuka Revue’s performers, known as the Takaraziennes.
A colorful array of sandwiches lined the display case, and just looking at them made my heart race with excitement.

After much deliberation, I chose the shrimp cutlet sandwich.
Between the soft slices of bread was a gently sweet, delicate shrimp flavor.
With every bite, I could fee５l the care and thoughtfulness that went into making it.
It truly deserves to be called “the taste of Takarazuka.”


Afterward, I stopped by a nearby café called “Takarazuka Milk.”
Here, you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream and milk made from fresh dairy.
I ordered the milk soft-serve tiramisu, rich with deep dairy flavor, along with the rare “Takarazuka Milk,” available only here.
The gentle sweetness seeped into my slightly tired body, warming my heart as well.

↑About “Takarazuka Milk”

Unlike most milk, which is pasteurized quickly at high temperatures, Takarazuka Milk is gently pasteurized at 63°C for 30 minutes using a low-temperature method.
Because it is non-homogenized, a soft, creamy layer naturally forms on top, delivering a rich, deep flavor reminiscent of freshly squeezed milk.

A Special Night at Hotel Wakamiya, Surrounded by the Quiet Charm of Takarazuka

As evening approached, I checked into my accommodation for the night, Hotel Wakamiya.
Blending seamlessly with Takarazuka’s natural surroundings, the hotel exuded a calm, traditional Japanese atmosphere—truly a hidden retreat for adults.

This time, I stayed in the “Rokko” suite, which comes with a private open-air bath.
The moment I stepped into the room, I couldn’t help but gasp at the overwhelming sense of openness.

Through the large windows, the cityscape of Takarazuka stretched out before me, while the presence of the private open-air bath was simply breathtaking.

In this luxurious space, where I could enjoy natural hot spring waters all to myself, the fatigue of travel slowly melted away.

After taking a short break in the room, it was finally time for the dinner I had been looking forward to.
At the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, Sazanka, I enjoyed a kaiseki dinner centered around Kobe beef.

Savoring the Essence of Japanese Cuisine, Where Kobe Beef Meets Seasonal Flavors
Each dish was beautifully presented like a work of art, pleasing not only the palate but also the eyes.

The meal began with hassun, elegantly arranged seasonal appetizers, followed by a clear soup gently infused with the aroma of matsutake mushrooms, evoking the essence of autumn.

Next came sashimi made generously with the freshest seasonal fish.
The translucent slices were firm and springy, and when paired with wasabi, their delicate sweetness slowly spread across the palate.

The next dish was whole-grilled domestic abalone.
Perfectly grilled, the abalone was chewy on the outside yet tender inside—an exquisite balance.

With every bite, its natural sweetness and ocean aroma emerged, prompting an unintentional whisper of “This is amazing.”

Finally, the long-awaited Kobe beef sukiyaki was served.
Lightly cooked in a gently simmering sweet-and-savory sauce, the Kobe beef looked like a work of art in itself.

So tender it nearly melted when lifted with chopsticks, the beef released rich, refined fat the moment it touched my tongue, filling my body with deep umami.

Paired with local seasonal vegetables, the sukiyaki’s flavors became even more profound—truly a perfect dish for a special evening.

The meal concluded with a selection of seasonal fruits.

Generously cut melon, plump Kyoho grapes, and crisp pears were beautifully arranged.
Their freshness drew a spontaneous sigh of admiration.
Each fruit was naturally sweet, its flavor gently seeping into every sense.
It was a dinner experience that delighted all five senses.

A Night When Both Body and Mind Seemed to Melt Away

Back in my room, I headed once more to the open-air bath.
The hot spring, rich in sodium and calcium chloride, felt soft and moisturizing the moment it touched my skin.

It felt as though my skin were gently wrapped, warming me from deep within almost instantly.

Soaking in the bath while feeling the night breeze, I slowly reflected on the day.
It was a day that allowed me to fully savor the luxury of stepping away from daily life and spending time purely for myself.

After leaving the bath, my skin felt smooth and hydrated, as if all the usual fatigue and tension had gently dissolved.

Wrapped in the quiet of the night, I slipped into the comfort of warm bedding.

Gazing at the distant lights of Takarazuka, I slowly drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Summary: A Five-Senses Journey Through Hyogo – Takarazuka (Day 1)
Though brief, the day was filled with rich and fulfilling experiences.

From retro experiences to gourmet cuisine, art, and hot springs, Takarazuka offered everything needed for a truly satisfying adult getaway.

It was a journey that left me longing to return—next time, to see a Takarazuka Revue performance.

I look forward to fully enjoying Hyogo Prefecture again on Day 2.