Hiruzen, located on the border with Tottori Prefecture, is famous as a highland resort area and one of the best leisure spots in western Japan, where visitors can enjoy activities such as trekking, camping, horseback riding, and skiing.
Hiruzen is also home to one of the largest herds of grazing Jersey cows in Japan. Dairy products such as yogurt, soft-serve ice cream, and cheese made from Jersey cows' milk can be tasted at the restaurant attached to the farm, or purchased as souvenirs.
The sight of the cows grazing leisurely on the green land stretching as far as the eye can see is a relaxing sight to behold.
Yubara Onsen in Maniwa City is located along the Asahikawa River, which flows through the northern part of Okayama Prefecture. Once called the "Yokozuna of the West," this historic and famous hot spring is a rare self-heating hot spring in Japan, where visitors can directly immerse themselves in the source of the spring. Together with Yunogo Onsen in Mimasaka City and Okutsu Onsen in Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, it is called Mimasaka Sanyu.
The history of Yubara, which stretches along the Asahikawa River, is long, and there is a theory that people who were engaged in tatara iron manufacturing, which flourished in the area during the Yayoi period (710-794), healed their fatigue in Yubara.
The actual history of Yubara dates back to the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and it is said that the mother of Ukita Hideie, one of Toyotomi's Five Grand Elders, was cured of her illness there, making it a well-known hot spring for hot spring enthusiasts.
The famous sand bath in the mixed bathing open-air bath, which is called "sand spouting hot spring," is a well-known attraction. It is also famous as a self-heating hot spring that gushes forth without human intervention, with hot spring water gushing out from the bottom of the bathtub. Normally, even if the hot spring water is 100% free-flowing, it is necessary to draw hot water from the place where the hot spring springs, but at Sunayu you can enjoy the luxury of being directly immersed in the source of the hot spring.
After enjoying the hot springs, stop by some of the nearby tourist attractions. Katsuyama Town in Maniwa City is a picturesque town that was the first town in the prefecture to be designated as a townscape preservation district. The town prospered as a strategic point on the Izumo Highway in the old days, and the old streetscapes with samurai residences, white walls, and latticed windows still remain.
Recently, the various "noren" curtains hanging from the eaves of stores have become very popular, and just walking around the town is a fun and enjoyable experience.
Kamba is home to Kamba Falls, which is the most famous waterfall in western Japan and one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, and boasts an impressive 110-meter drop. The pure white waterfall sliding down the vivid mountain surface is a must-see, especially from late October when the autumn leaves turn beautifully red. The charming wild monkeys that inhabit the area will also delight tourists.
In addition to the hot spring baths that will make your skin beautiful and allow you to enjoy the bounty of nature, the area also offers a variety of attractive spots, such as the emotional townscape and dynamic waterfalls.
The Former Senkyō Jinjo Elementary School is a historic school building in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture. Completed in 1907, this striking two-story wooden structure served as a school until 1990. With its elegant Western-inspired design and carefully crafted architectural details, it is a rare example of the pseudo-Western architecture that became popular in Japan during the Meiji period. The b...»
A Unique Twist on Japanese Beef Bowls Gyu mochi don is an inventive regional dish that puts a new spin on the classic Japanese beef bowl. Instead of serving sweet-savory simmered beef over rice, it uses soft rice cakes made from the locally prized Hime no Mochi variety. Smooth, chewy mochi is topped generously with beef and onions simmered in a slightly sweet sauce, creating a satisfying combinat...»
Experience the Delicate Flavor of Fresh Mantis Shrimp Mantis shrimp sashimi is a distinctive seafood delicacy made with fresh mantis shrimp caught in the Seto Inland Sea. The key to enjoying this dish is freshness. After the shrimp dies, enzymes in its body begin breaking down its own flesh, causing the meat to deteriorate and shrink. Serving mantis shrimp raw is therefore a sign that it has been...»
Hiruzen Yakisoba is a beloved local noodle dish from the Hiruzen area of Okayama Prefecture, near the border with Tottori Prefecture. It has been enjoyed by local residents since the 1950s and is known for its rich, sweet-and-savory miso sauce, tender pieces of chicken, and crisp cabbage grown on the Hiruzen Highlands....»
Hiruzen okowa is a traditional dish from the Hiruzen region in northern Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture, near the border with Tottori Prefecture. This richly flavored seasoned sticky rice is an essential part of local festivals and celebrations, cherished for its generous variety of ingredients and the comforting taste of soy sauce....»
Enjoy a tender, light-tasting patty made from 100% Jersey beef raised for meat in the Hiruzen Highlands. Hiruzen Burger is a local specialty sold exclusively at the Hiruzen Kogen Service Area on the outbound side of the Yonago Expressway. Set in the scenic Hiruzen Highlands of Okayama Prefecture, this distinctive burger showcases the region’s Jersey cattle, which are known for their rich milk but...»
Hiruzen daikon is a locally prized Japanese radish grown in the naturally rich environment of the Hiruzen Highlands in northwestern Okayama Prefecture. Thanks to the area's cool climate and distinctive volcanic soil, these radishes develop excellent flavor and quality, with cold-weather cultivation helping to enhance their nutritional value....»
Yamabudo, or Japanese wild grape, is a grape variety native to Japan and is relatively rare in western Japan. It is known for being difficult to cultivate and ferment into wine. In the Hiruzen Highlands, however, winemaking began after growers selected just three vines from more than 1,000 wild grapevines growing naturally in the area and began cultivating them. At Hiruzen Winery, these distincti...»
Tsujimoto Honten, the brewery behind the renowned Gozen-shu sake brand, was founded in 1804. Initially, it served the Katsuyama Domain in Mimasaka as an official sake supplier, earning the prestigious designation “Gozen-shu,” a name associated with sake served at the lord’s table. Its products were also widely known among the public under the brand name Man’etsu. The brewery is located in Mimasak...»
The Hiruzen region of Maniwa City is renowned for its rich, nutritious Jersey cow’s milk. Hiruzen Jersey Yogurt is made using generous amounts of fresh local milk, carefully preserving its naturally creamy flavor without unnecessary additions. The milk is used in its unadjusted, non-homogenized form, resulting in a smooth, rich yogurt with a gentle sweetness that spreads across the palate....»
Takasebune Yokan is a beloved Japanese confectionery and popular souvenir made by Komiya Yokan, a long-established confectioner whose history dates back more than 250 years. The company has carefully preserved its traditional flavor through generations, maintaining the same dedication to quality and craftsmanship....»
Hyakka no Shizuku is a 100% pure, natural honey produced by the rare Japanese honeybee. Japanese honeybees are sometimes called “phantom bees” because their natural behavior makes them difficult to raise commercially and their honey production is very limited....»
Mukashi Shoyu is a traditional soy sauce made by Katsumaru Shoyu, a long-established producer with a history spanning 110 years. The company is located in Niimi, Okayama Prefecture, a town blessed with abundant natural surroundings and a rich history. Since the Kamakura period (1185–1333), the area flourished as a manor belonging to Toji Temple in Kyoto....»
Atetsudai is an extensive karst plateau stretching across the south-central part of Niimi City and the southwestern part of Maniwa City in Okayama Prefecture. Measuring approximately 18 kilometers from east to west and 12 kilometers from north to south, it is recognized as one of Japan's major karst landscapes, alongside Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The geological foundation of Atetsudai ...»
Ikura Gorge is a scenic destination in Ikura, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, renowned for its dramatic gorge scenery, waterfalls, and limestone caves. The area lies within the Atetsudai karst plateau, which extends across the Takahashi River basin. Its striking natural formations have made it one of the region's most appealing places to experience the beauty of Japan's countryside. Ikura Gorge is...»
Kinukake Falls is a scenic waterfall in Ikura, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, within a picturesque region centered on the Atetsudai karst plateau along the Takahashi River basin. The waterfall stands approximately 60 meters high and descends in three distinct tiers. Its most famous section is the lowest drop, which measures about 50 meters. The name Kinukake, meaning "silk draped over a rock," co...»
Ikura Cave is a spectacular limestone cave in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, near the upper reaches of the Takahashi River. Extending approximately 1,200 meters in length with a vertical difference of 90 meters, it is one of the region's most impressive natural underground attractions. The entrance opens in a towering limestone cliff approximately 240 meters high. The cave was discovered in 1958 ...»
Maki Cave is a spectacular limestone cave located on the Atetsudai Plateau, also known as Toyonaga Plateau, in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. Designated a Natural Monument of Okayama Prefecture, it is renowned for its mysterious underground scenery and beautiful mineral formations. The cave was discovered in the early years of the Tenpo era at the end of the Edo period, when it was known as Maki...»
Himesaka Limestone Cave is located in Toyonaga Akama, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. In 1957, it was included in the designation of the Atetsudai area as a Natural Monument of Okayama Prefecture. For centuries, the cave has been revered as the sacred body of Himesaka Limestone Cave Shrine, and its mysterious presence has made it an important spiritual site in the region....»
Himesaka Limestone Cave Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Toyonaga Akama, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. The shrine enshrines Himesaka Limestone Cave, traditionally known as Ohoraana, or the "Great Cave," as its sacred object of worship. Revered for centuries as a spiritual sanctuary, the site has long attracted the devotion of local communities and remains an important part of the ar...»
Koigakubo Marshland is an extensive wetland in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, covering approximately 3.6 hectares and supporting more than 300 species of native plants. It is particularly rich in rare marshland and aquatic vegetation, many of which produce beautiful flowers throughout the year. This seasonal variety, combined with its valuable natural environment, has earned the marshland the nic...»
Rashomon is a remarkable natural formation in Kusama, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, where an enormous natural stone arch and limestone caves combine to create a dramatic geological landscape. The area lies on the Atetsudai Karst Plateau, at an elevation of approximately 400 meters, and is known for its distinctive karst terrain, dotted with numerous limestone caves and sinkholes. Rashomon was d...»