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.
This historical building was used as a school building until it was relocated in 1990.It has been used as a filming location for movies and TV commercials, attracting much attention. The construction cost was nearly three times larger than the Kuse town budget at the time. The construction materials were selected from superior cypress and cedar timbers from the Kiyama National Forest in Maniwa Ci...»
This is a donburi (rice bowl) with mochi (rice cakes). It is an inventive gyudon (beef rice bowl) with mochi instead of rice. Smooth tasty mochi is topped with ingredients of gyudon with a little sweet sauce. This is a dish which one can fully enjoy “himenomochi”, a specialty of Shinjoson. Himenomochi is made with waters of Shinjogawa river that runs from “Kenashiyama” where a primeval forest of b...»
Eating fresh shako (mantis shrimp) from the Setonaikai Sea as sashimi (raw). Shako becomes thinner and thinner as time passes after it dies as it produces an enzyme that melts its flesh. Being able to eat it raw means it is very fresh. It is tasty with soy sauce, but is even better with sudachi citron....»
“Hiruzen okowa” is a local dish of Hiruzen area, located in the Northern part of Maniwa city, Okayama prefecture, near the border to Tottori prefecture. It is an essential dish for festivals and celebrations in Hiruzen. It is said that its origin was when people were cooking festive red rice, they added the ingredients for chirashi sushi by mistake together with red beans and it turned out as a de...»