Here’s the “Nishinomiya Quiz” corner, where knowing the answer proves you’re a true Nishinomiya insider.
This time’s quiz is here↓
Q. Long ago, which shop sold bento lunches inside JR Namaze Station?
a. Hokka Hoka Tei
b. Awajiya
c. Hotto Motto
d. Origin Bento
Nishitsu correct answer rate: 100%
If you haven’t seen the answer yet, give it a try♪
- a.ほっかほか亭8.1%(5票)
- b.淡路屋87.1%(54票)
- c.ほっともっと0%(0票)
- d.オリジン弁当4.8%(3票)
This is Namaze Station today.
The correct answer is b. Awajiya.
Here’s our gourmet article on Awajiya, which recently opened in Nishinomiya Hankyu↓
“The limited express ‘Kounotori’ on the Fukuchiyama Line leaves Takarazuka, the town of theater, behind, crosses the bridge over the Muko River, and heads into the mountains leading toward Tanba. Just beyond that bridge is Namaze Station, located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Today it is a small station where around four regional rapid and local trains stop each hour during the daytime, while limited express trains and Tanba-ji Rapid trains pass through. However, until before the war, Namaze was a station where ekiben boxed meals were sold. The seller was Awajiya Co., Ltd., which is now based in Kobe and handles a wide range of ekiben.”
Quoted from an article by Netorabo Kotsu-ka
The article includes an interview with Awajiya’s fifth-generation president:
―Namaze Station today doesn’t have limited express or rapid trains stopping there, so how did ekiben sales work back then?
Teramoto: At the time, Namaze was getting a lot of attention. After the former management of the Hankaku Railway was nationalized, they established the Minoo Arima Electric Tramway, now Hankyu Railway, and it seems they were considering a route to Arima via Namaze. From what I heard from my great-grandfather, trains on the Fukuchiyama Line also stopped at Namaze for a long time so steam locomotives could take on water and coal. The Fukuchiyama Line played an important role in transporting people and goods to the Army in Sasayama and the Navy in Maizuru, and bento apparently sold very well while trains were stopped at Namaze.
Quoted from an article by Netorabo Kotsu-ka
It’s surprising to learn there was once a plan for Hankyu trains to run all the way to Arima Onsen(^^)/
From Namaze Station in this season↓
Cherry blossom viewing hikes are recommended(^^)/
You can even visit places like this!
