昆陽宿(Koya inn town): Now we’re in Hyogo prefecture

 Koya(昆陽) inn town is in Itami city, Osaka prefecture. For most people, Itami is known for Osaka International Airport, aka Itami airport. 


There are other features along Saigoku Kaido in Itami city such as Itamizaka hill. But I am omitting these here and focusing on much closer part of the inn town. Otherwise this blog takes forever to finish one long route. 
The picture on the right is a crossroad to Arima Kaido, which connects Arima onsen hot spring in today’s northern Kobe city and eastern Amagasaki city. There is a sign on this picture. But we will skip Arima Kaido for now. 

Today, it is not easy to find hints of old days of Saigoku Kaido. But there are still some. 
You will see some signs on the route. This is one of them to explain about Saigoku Kaido route in this area. 
The center of today’s Koya inn town has the city hall and the main police office. It is still the administrative center of Itami city. 
I found another old house…I don’t know how old it is. It might be less than 60-70 years old but I can’t tell from Google street view. 
There is a monument of Koya inn town.  Looks like it’s behind the fence, under the pine trees. 













A road sign of Saigoku Kaido Highway. 
Nishitennshrine is said to have been founded by a Buddhist monk Gyoki in mid 8th century, after burying and counting a part of Koya pond. Today, part of Koya pond still exists as a park. 
Wait a second…a Buddhist monk founding a Shinto shrine…that’s interesting.
There is a well called Akai well. Apparently the same Buddhist monk Gyoki healed people within well water. Here, Akai means “water” in Sanskrit. 











The access wise, walk for about 23-25 minutes from Hankyu Itami station, or take a bus from there. 

Reference: 

Koya inn town map. Itami city. (昆陽宿マップ　伊丹市) https://www.city.itami.lg.jp/material/files/group/17/koyamap.pdf (Accessed in 4/23/2025)

Saigoku Kaido guide map. Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council. (The original title: 西国街道みちしるべ　歴史街道推進協議会)  https://www.rekishikaido.gr.jp/aruku/saigoku/ (Accessed in 4/20/2025) 

Tourism Guide Koyaike Park. Hyogo Prefectural Hanshin North Area Tourism Promotion Council. https://visithanshin.jp/en/spot/408/ (Accessed in 4/23/2025)













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