• Table of Contents
• Origin and its Seasonal Appeal
• "Jabara" for Hay Fever
• Flavor, Nutrients, and Culinary Enjoyment

Origin and its Seasonal Appeal

Jabara is a uniquely sour citrus fruit native to Kitayama Village in Higashimuro District, in Wakayama Prefecture. Kitayama known as Japan's only "enclave village", not bordering any other municipality in Wakayama, and jabara reflects this distinctive environment.

It is a naturally occurring hybrid fruit that grew wild in the area. A survey was conducted in 1971, and full-scale cultivation began in 1972 with the support of the village.

The name "Jabara" is said to come from the idea that it's "so sour that it drives away evil spirits". Its defining flavor is a sharp sourness followed by a subtle bitterness. The harvest season is mainly form November to December. 

"Jabara" for Hay Fever

The Kitayama Village strengthened its online sales and, based on consumer feedback "It Helps Deal With Hay Fever". After conducting further research, it was found that jabara has properties that suppress degranulation, a process often linked to hay fever symptoms. In 2003, part of this effect was presented at the Japan Society for Food Chemistry and Engineering, gaining popular media attention and significantly increasing its orders.

Photo courtesy of Wakayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Flavor, Nutrients, and Culinary Enjoyment

Jabara is rich in juice content, highly aromatic, and easy to handle due to its fewer seeds. Its flavor is characterized by a sharp sourness followed by a gentle bitterness. It contains a high amount of naringin, a type of flavonoid, especially in the peel, which has more than six times the amount found in the juice. Its uses range from flavoring hot pot dishes and grilled fish, to enjoying its scent in aromatherapy. It's has gained its name as the "miracle fruit" due to these.
Many products now utilize he peel, including jams, ponzu sauce, sweets, and soaps from these extracted oils. These items are designed to be incorporated into daily lives regardless of season or occasion.

Now that we've introduced the charm of "Jabara", let's move on to "experience" it! From the initial sharp sourness to the refreshing aromatic finish, this one citrus fruit can elevate various meals and snacks. Here are a few Jabara-based products!

100% Jabara Juice

Kitayama Village Jabara Jam

Kitayama Village Jabara Juice Candy

The village has developed and marketed a wide variety of processed products using jabara juice and peel, including jams, vinegars, ponzu, sweets, aromatherapy items, and soaps. Enjoy jabara in cooking, drinks, and even for beauty and health.

Enjoy it in a variety of ways, including cooking, drinking, and even for beauty and health.

There are still many attractive products to discover! If you'd like to learn more, please visit the "Kumano Drive-In"! You can also browse various products on their online shop below.

Kumano Tourism Development Drive-in Spots

Kumano Marche Online Shop

Source (Japanese)

① History of Jabara | Kitayama Village(Kitayama Village Official Website): https://www.vill.kitayama.wakayama.jp/kanko/jabara/history.html
② Wakayama Prefecture Official: Jybara (Wakayama Prefectural Government): https://www.pref.wakayama.lg.jp/prefg/130700/nrs/collection_jybara.html
③ About Jabara | Jabara Village (Kitayama Village based e-commerce and local information): https://kitayama-jabara.jp/f/about
④ Miyake, Masaki, Inaba, Shinya, Maeda, Hisao, Ifuku, Yasushi, "Jubako and Yuzu Juice and Their Quality Characteristics," Journal of the Japanese Society of Food Technology 37(5):346-354, 1990. doi:10.3136/nskkk1962.37.5_346: Journal of the Japanese Society of Food Technology
Wakayama Food Brand Story: Wakayama Jabura
⑥ Jabara flavors and products | Kitayama Village(Kitayama Village official website): https://www.vill.kitayama.wakayama.jp/kanko/jabara/product.html

• Table of Contents
• Osaka Golf Club
• An 18-Hole Seaside Challenge with Strategic Brilliance
• After the Round-- Guide to the Facilities
• A Golf Experience Without Language Barriers

Osaka Golf Club

Known by those in the know-- and a favorite among pros-- Osaka Golf Club is a prestigious course just 40-minutes from the Kansai International Airport!

This seaside course, one of the finest in Kansai, features a beautiful 18-hole layout designed by Osamu Ueda. It has been ranked in Rolex's "The World's Top 1000 Golf Courses" (2010), and GOLF.com's "Top 100 Courses in Asia-Pacific" (2023), among other distinctions.

Retro-modern, and a refined front-desk and lounge

Pro Shop

A feature video introducing the Osaka Golf Club is also available on Youtube (Laugh & Rough Ch.). It includes a special interview with the General Manager and an in-house pro-exclusive content you won't find elsewhere, so be sure to also check it out!

An 18-Hole Seaside Challenge with Strategic Brilliance

Opened in 1938 (Showa 13), Osaka Golf Club celebrates its 88th-year this year (2025 at time of writing). At its opening, the course measured 6,700-yards (Out 3,375-yards, In 3,325-yards), Par 72-- one of the most challenging in Japan, famed for stoking the competitive spirit.

Although the club was temporarily closed due to wartime circumstances, it was elegantly remodeled and re-opened after 16-years thanks to strong requests from locals and members, as well as the efforts of the first chairman, and many others. Since then, it has been beloved by golfers from Japan and abroad as a community-rooted golf club.

Map (after renewal)

The club's greatest charm is its expansive panoramic ocean view. The most popular-- and proudly recommended by the general manager is the 7th Hole.

Against the backdrop of the calm blue sea, you can take in the Kansai International Airport, Awaji Island, Kobe's Cityscape, and even Mt. Rokko-- giving you the sensation of playing along the horizon where the sky meets the sea.

This view instantly captivates first-time visitors and keeps them coming back. In addition to the sweeping views of the Osaka Bay, you can also see planes arriving and departing from Kansai International Airport. Access is also excellent with only 40-minutes from the airport. Despite its proximity to the city, the course offers a comfortable golf experience amid the rich nature and stunning scenery.

The 7th hole offers a view of Osaka Bay

Of course, there's more to the its reputation than just beautiful views. Each hole has a distinct personality shaped by the complex coastal terrain-- another hallmark of the Osaka Golf Club. Every round reveals fresh challenges and the joy of crafting strategies never ends. The design invites repeat play without getting tired of the course, which fuels players' desire to take on new challenges which is one of its biggest draws.

As you can see from the drone footage, the course makes deft use of the rolling hills, demanding distance control and accuracy. If you go in, you might escape only to get caught by the next bunker-- especially tough for beginners. According to the general manager, "the strategy is learning how to avoid going in the bunker", which while easier said than done, players who relish in crafting their technique, is a stage well worth the challenge.

The third hole by the sea

Furthermore, there are over 80 deep bunkers scattered throughout the course, including the signature Allison Bunkers, which are located throughout the course. Some bunkers are so positioned that if you hit one into one, even if you manage to escape, you'll end up trapped in the bunker right next to it, making them particularly formidable for beginners. According to the manager, "The strategy is to devise ways to avoid hitting one into the bunker." For players who value strategy, this is truly a challenging course worth playing on.

The 14th hole has a green surrounded by bunkers

For reservations and details, click here (Japanese)

We also interviewed an in-house pro golfer for this feature and gathered some valuable insights about what makes the Osaka Golf Club so special. Check out the Youtube video to get the full details!

(Youtube) See the full play and interview here!

After the Round-- Guide to the Facilities

A smooth round is important for your flow. Relaxing spaces and Services before and after the play make the overall experience richer and more satisfying. Here are some of the facilities in the Osaka Golf Club perfect for a comfortable break.

Teahouse

Inside the course, you'll find a charming cottage-style teahouse in warm brown tones. Step by between holes for a wide variety of drinks and sweets, including the "Arida Mikan Ice Bar", made with high-quality mandarins from the Wakayama Prefecture! A wide selection of snacks is also available for a relaxing break.

The Teahouse

After a few holes, take a short rest to reset before tackling on the next stretch. A light refresh here is sure to power your play!

Furthermore, the currently running "NANKAI Wellness Tourism" special tour for foreign visitors to Japan also includes a service that allows you to freely enjoy a variety of drinks and snacks provided at the tea shop. Please come and experience the attentive hospitality that is unique to Osaka Golf Club.

[NANKAI Wellness Tourism Inquiries]
Name: Nankai Travel International Co.,INC
TEL +81-06-6641-4010
e-mail: medical@geo-nti.co.jp

Restaurant

You can enjoy a Japanese-Western fusion breakfast and lunch made with plenty of seasonal ingredients.

Just hearing about the menu will whet your appetite, with dishes such as fragrantly grilled beef steak, flavorful tantanmen noodles, and a bowl of extremely fresh tuna and boiled whitebait. You can truly enjoy a luxurious time that will satisfy both your body and mind.

(Left) Beef steak | (Right) Whitebait bowl

VIP Room

Exclusively for guests who have applied for "NANKAI Wellness Tourism," you can enjoy lunch in the VIP VIP room. This space, which is not open to the general public, is truly a special place reserved for VIPs in both name and reality. In a refined atmosphere exuding high status, you can savor exquisite cuisine while gazing out at the beautiful seascape and majestic skyline of the course. This is a luxurious experience that can only be found at a prestigious golf club.

VIP room

Bath House

The bathroom is a bright and clean space with natural light streaming in through the large windows. It's the perfect place to soothe your fatigue after a round of golf and you can spend some relaxing time there. The simple yet calming atmosphere makes it a place where you can refresh both your body and mind.

Relax your body and mind in the warm water

↓If hot water alone isn't enough for you, set off on a tour of Wakayama's hot springs.

Name: Nankai Travel International Co.,INC
TEL +81-06-6641-4010
e-mail: medical@geo-nti.co.jp