"Saika Nakamura's 10,000-step treasure hunt" is a segment where CBC reporter Saika Nakamura walks around and investigates the hidden charms of notable areas in the Tokai region.
This time, we will introduce three treasure spots - people, gourmet food, and outing spots - found in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, known for the "Dai-Yokkaichi Festival" where the long-necked O-nyudo appears.

Impressive Spot ①: Very popular with Yokkaichi citizens! Carefully prepared Japanese set lunch

Nakamura started her research by walking through the arcade in front of Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station to escape the heat. She asked three men passing by for recommended spots.

(Three men)
"There's a really delicious restaurant. Obanzai Fujimasa. (Q: What's delicious?) Everything is delicious. It's Japanese food."

Nakamura's heart was filled with anticipation for the Japanese restaurant that local businessmen confidently recommended, especially since she was hungry at lunchtime. The first impressive spot was an obanzai set meal, very popular with Yokkaichi citizens, found after 1773 steps.

"Obanzai Fujimasa," located in the shopping street in front of Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station, is a popular local restaurant known for its carefully prepared Japanese set meals.

The most popular lunch item is the "Daily Takikomi Gohan Set." On the day of the interview, it included deep-fried white fish and taro with yuzu pepper ankake sauce, three obanzai dishes, and corn takikomi gohan.

(Nakamura)
"The fish is fluffy, and when you bite into it, a sweetness spreads. The yuzu pepper firmly seasons it. (The takikomi gohan) has the sweetness of corn thoroughly soaked into every grain of rice, and when you bite into the corn, the sweetness bursts. And the obanzai, the seasoning is simple and well-balanced. Everything is delicious. Each dish is carefully made, and it's a set meal that satisfies both the heart and the palate."

It was a set meal that even Nakamura was very satisfied with.

Impressive Spot ②: A stunning museum where O-nyudo, the symbol of Yokkaichi, gather

After satisfying her hunger, Nakamura started walking through the arcade again.
Suddenly, a doll with a long neck appeared on the street. The "Chu-nyudo," modeled after the 9-meter-tall mechanical float "O-nyudo" that appears in the "Dai-Yokkaichi Festival," is about 4 meters tall! It is displayed year-round as a symbol of the shopping street.

(Nakamura)
"It's a little scary. Look at this size, the face (of Chu-nyudo) doesn't even fit in the frame."

As she walked further towards JR Yokkaichi Station, she encountered O-nyudo again! Right next to it was a display window filled with many O-nyudo. The second impressive spot was a museum full of O-nyudo, found after 4479 steps.

"Machikado Museum O-nyudo-san mini Museum + Y" is, as its name suggests, lined with various O-nyudo figurines! We asked the director what exactly O-nyudo is.

(Director Nobuo Mizutani)
"There are various theories, but one legend is that a tanuki was causing trouble for people, so a large O-nyudo was made to punish this tanuki, and it defeated the tanuki."

It was first created in the late Edo period in 1805. Since then, it has been loved by the citizens as a festival specialty of Yokkaichi.

Mizutani-san's research into festival floats sparked his local love, and he has collected about 3000 O-nyudo items over 30 years. The museum has three floors, where you can see many O-nyudo.

Impressive Spot ③: Fantastic night view of the industrial complex! Great excitement at a different appearance from daytime

While researching for the next impressive spot, she received information that the night view of the industrial complex was beautiful. Since there was still plenty of time until night, she decided to buy and eat "Taihaku Nagamochi," a specialty of the Ise Road, at "Kinjo-ken," a long-established Japanese confectionery store founded in 1868.

(Nakamura)
"The outside is fragrant and baked, and the sweetness of the red bean paste inside is subtle and smooth."

After enjoying the specialty of the Ise Road, she leisurely moved towards the port to see the night view. She arrived at an excellent spot where she could view the Yokkaichi industrial complex, one of the largest in Japan, across the sea. The third impressive spot was the fantastic night view of the industrial complex, reached after 11,311 steps.

(Nakamura)
"The sun has set, and such a beautiful scenery spreads out."

After sunset, a beautiful factory night view with overlapping three-dimensional lights appeared. From Yokkaichi Port, night view cruises are also available on some days, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery from a boat.
Nakamura thoroughly enjoyed the charms of Yokkaichi City, and her treasure hunt was a great success.

From CBC TV "Chant!" broadcast on August 5, 2026