Hyogo Prefectural Mikiyama Forest Park is a large forest park located in Mikiyama, Fukui, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Covering approximately 80 hectares—around 20 times the size of Koshien Stadium—the park opened on May 23, 1993. It has since become a popular destination for people seeking opportunities to enjoy nature, outdoor recreation, and cultural activities.
The grounds feature open spaces, a music hall, meeting rooms, and a variety of other facilities. The park welcomes a wide range of visitors, from families with children and older adults to nursery school groups and community organizations. It also provides opportunities for elementary school field trips and corporate nature-based activities, making it an important place for environmental education and outdoor learning.
Mikiyama Forest Park offers many ways to connect with the natural environment. Visitors can enjoy walking, recreational activities, nature observation, and hands-on experiences. The combination of woodland trails, open lawns, and cultural facilities makes the park suitable for both quiet relaxation and organized group activities.
On January 23, 2011, the park added the Mori no Kaze Art Museum, creating another opportunity for visitors to experience art in a natural setting. The museum complements the park’s outdoor attractions by bringing together the enjoyment of nature and cultural exploration.
As part of Japan’s efforts to conserve and make sustainable use of traditional rural landscapes, Mikiyama Forest Park has promoted the protection of its natural environment and the biodiversity it supports. On December 18, 2015, the Ministry of the Environment designated the park as an Important Satoyama, a landscape considered particularly valuable for biodiversity conservation.
The designation recognizes the importance of maintaining environments where woodland, water, and human activity coexist. Conservation initiatives help protect the park’s natural character while allowing visitors to continue enjoying and learning from the landscape.
The Forest Culture Center serves as the park’s main information facility. It also houses a multipurpose hall, music hall, exhibition hall, and meeting rooms. These spaces support cultural programs, exhibitions, performances, and a variety of community activities.
The Forest Training Center provides facilities for seminars, workshops, meetings, and educational programs. It includes a library, a consultation room for greenery and planting, training rooms, and meeting spaces. Visitors can use the facility to learn more about nature and the environment in a calm woodland setting.
Opened in 2011, the Mori no Kaze Art Museum explores the relationship between nature and art. The facility includes exhibition space and a restaurant, offering visitors a cultural experience alongside their time in the forest.
The park contains a variety of open areas, including the Entrance Plaza, Grand Lawn Square, Woody Plaza, Event Plaza, and Picnic Plaza. These spaces are suitable for relaxing, spending time with family, and participating in outdoor events.
Other features include Upper Pond and Lower Pond, an observation and rest pavilion, and a small outdoor theater known as the Forest Theater, which has seating for approximately 200 people. Hiking trails wind through the grounds, allowing visitors to explore the woodland at their own pace.
Mikiyama Forest Park has been designed to welcome visitors with a wide range of mobility needs. A universal trail approximately 2,500 meters long accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, making it easier for visitors to enjoy a walk through the natural surroundings.
Six wheelchair-accessible restrooms are also provided throughout the park. These facilities reflect the park’s commitment to making its outdoor spaces more comfortable and accessible for everyone.
The park is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., while the regular operating hours for its facilities are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Facility use may be extended until 9:00 p.m. when permitted paid-use arrangements apply.
The regular closing day is Wednesday. If Wednesday falls on a public holiday, the park closes the following day instead. Visitors planning to use specific facilities or attend an event should check the latest operating information before their visit.
By public transportation, take the Mikkī Bus from Ebisu Station on the Kobe Electric Railway Ao Line and get off at the Shinrin Kōen-mae stop, near the park entrance.
By car, approach from the Kobayashi intersection on National Route 175, then follow Prefectural Routes 513 and 514. The park is approximately 1 kilometer from this junction.
Hyogo Prefectural Mikiyama Forest Park offers a welcoming combination of woodland scenery, outdoor recreation, environmental learning, and cultural facilities. Visitors can stroll along forest trails, relax beside the ponds, enjoy open lawns, or explore exhibitions at the Mori no Kaze Art Museum. With its extensive grounds, accessible paths, and diverse facilities, the park is an appealing destination for families, nature enthusiasts, school groups, and anyone looking for a peaceful break surrounded by greenery.