美作国の四季を満喫する

The Deepening Melody of Fall—The Breathtaking Colors of Mimasaka-no-Kuni

Hiruzen Highlands

[Maniwa City]

Hiruzen Highlands

Sitting at the foot of the three peaks of Mt. Hiruzen (Kami-Hiruzen, Naka-Hiruzen and Shimo-Hiruzen), this highland resort area provides scenes of pastoral beauty for you to enjoy year-round—from mountain climbing and camping to autumn leaf viewing and winter skiing. Providing panoramic views of Mt. Hiruzen and Mt. Daisen, the Hiruzen Daisen Skyline is perfect for a leisurely drive in the fall, when you can drive through the vividly colored trees and even see clusters of zebra grass. The area is also full of popular tourist spots, including Hiruzen Highlands Center Joyful Park, Hiruzen Jersey Land, Hiruzen Winery and more.

Okutsu Ravine

[Kagamino Town]

Okutsu Ravine

While walking the trails that follow the mountain stream, you can fully enjoy the natural beauty of the Eight Views of Okutsu Valley, such as the cauldrons formed by the erosion of granite. In fall, both sides of the ravine are dyed in vivid shades of crimson, while the Okutsu Autumn Leaves Festival is held from late October through mid-November. During the festival, you can enjoy the magical spectacle of the trees lit up at night, as well as various events and stalls selling local specialties. Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring), one of the three famed hot springs of Mimasaka-no-Kuni, is also located nearby. If you go a bit further, you will find the Fairy Forest Glass Museum, (“Yousei no Mori Gurasu Bijutsukan) home to a collection of rare uranium glass.

The Ginkgo Tree at Bodaiji Temple

[Nagi Town]

The Ginkgo Tree at Bodaiji Temple

This enormous ginkgo tree stands on the grounds of Bodaiji Temple, a temple with a great personal significance to Saint Honen, the founder of the Jodo (Pure Land) Sect of Buddhism. Standing some 40m tall and with a circumference of about 13m at eye level, this giant tree, estimated to be 900 years old, has been designated as a Natural Treasure by the Government of Japan and was also selected as one of the Top 100 Trees in Japan.

The Ginkgo Tree at Tanjoji Temple

[Kumenan Town]

The Ginkgo Tree at Tanjoji Temple

Said to have been planted by Saint Honen himself, this giant ginkgo tree is estimated to be 850 years old. It is also known as the “upside-down gingko tree.” The tree faces the temple’s Mieido Hall, a designated Important Cultural Property of Japan known for its unusual Hall of 20 Buddhas.

Fumonji Temple

[Maniwa City]

Fumonji Temple

This temple is known for having beautiful flowers in bloom throughout the four seasons, including rhododendrons in May, hydrangeas in June and daylilies in July. The highlight comes in November, when the biennial cherry blossoms (which flower in both spring and fall) come into bloom again, creating a magnificent contrast with the fall leaves. The annual Cherry Blossom and Fall Leaves Festival is held during this time of year as well.

Sakai Red Soba (Buckwheat)

[Misaki Town]

Sakai Red Soba (Buckwheat)

The rice terraces of the Sakai area of Misaki Town are at their most beautiful from late September to October, when the red flowers for which the “Alpine Ruby” soba (buckwheat) is known are in full bloom. At Akasoba Tei (TEL: 0868-68-0661), a local soba shop situated among the rice terraces, you can enjoy red soba noodles, a perennial favorite menu item.

Fall Events

Kintoki Festival

[Sho’o Town]

Kintoki Festival

This festival is associated with Sakata-no-Kintoki, the famous Sho’o Town local who served as the model for the legendary Kintaro. The festival is a lively event featuring fireworks and dancing.

  • Sho’o Town Office of Industry and Construction
    ☎ 0868-38-3112
  • Central Sho’o Town
Tsuyama Joto Mukashimachi (Old Town)

[Tsuyama City]

Tsuyama Joto Mukashimachi (Old Town)

There are old-fashioned theaters and food stalls along the old Izumo Kaido, The surrounding area is full of people dressed as samurai and tradesmen.

  • Tsuyama City Industrial Culture Department History Town Development Promotion Office
    ☎ 0868-32-7000
  • Joto Traditional Building Preservation District
Tsuyama Festival

[Tsuyama City]

Tsuyama Festival

Tsuyama Festival is the collective name given to the fall festivals held at Osumi Shrine, Tokumori Shrine and Takano Shrine. The highlight of the festival is the spectacle of danjiri (traditional parade floats) rolling through the old castle town of Tsuyama. (Held on the 3rd & 4th Sundays of October)

  • Tsuyama Festival Executive Committee (inside the Tsuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
    ☎ 0868-22-3141
  • Central Tsuyama
Yokozen Kabuki Performances

[Nagi Town]

Yokozen Kabuki Performances

These performances preserve the tradition of local kabuki (i.e. by local amateur actors) that has been passed down through generations in Nagi Town since the Edo Period. Some of the many highlights include performances by the East Mimasaka Local Kabuki Preservation Committee as well as children’s kabuki performances. (Late November)

  • Nagi Town Cultural Center
    ☎ 0868-36-3034
  • 327-1 Toyosawa, Nagi Town
Katsuyama Festival Fighting Danjiri (Traditional Parade Floats)

[Maniwa City]

Katsuyama Festival Fighting Danjiri (Traditional Parade Floats)

This is the hottest, most exciting annual festival in all of Katsuyama, featuring 9 danjiri (traditional parade floats) colliding in battle with fierce intensity. (Held Every October 19~20)

  • Katsuyama Fighting Danjiri Preservation Society Office
    ☎ 0867-44-2120(Katsuyama City Tourist Association)
  • Central Katsuyama (Katsuyama Townscape Historical Preservation District)
Kuse Festival Danjiri (Traditional Parade Floats) Fight

[Maniwa City]

Kuse Festival Danjiri (Traditional Parade Floats) Fight

During this festival, omikoshi (portable shrines) parade through the town shopping arcade and “Danjiri Fights” are held at night, featuring danjiri (traditional parade floats) crashing into each other. (Held Every October 25~26)

  • Maniwa City Office of Commerce and Tourism
    ☎ 0867-42-1033
  • Central Kuse (Near Kuse Shopping Arcade)

Appreciate a Bold Art Scene

Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art

[Nagi Town]

Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art

This museum fuses together works by contemporary artists with a building designed by the renowned architect Arata Isozaki. A major part of the museum’s appeal is the harmony that it strikes with its natural surroundings and its use of space in the display of artwork, making it a pioneering experiential art museum.

  • Nagi Museum of Contemporary Art
    ☎ 0868-36-5811
  • 441 Toyosawa, Nagi Town
  • 9:30~17:00 (Last Entry: 16:30)
  • Monday (Following Day If Monday a Holiday)
  • Adults/College: 700 Yen / High School: 500 Yen / Junior High & Below: 300 Yen
  • http://www.town.nagi.okayama.jp/moca/
Fairywood Glass Museum

[Kagamino Town]

Fairywood Glass Museum

This museum features a collection of over 100 pieces—from masterpieces of nineteenth-century Bohemian glasswork to rarely seen contemporary works of uranium glass—on permanent display. The museum also features an attached workshop (reservation required) where you can try your hand at making your own glasswork.

  • Fairywood Glass Museum
    ☎ 0868-44-7888
  • 666-5 Kamisaibara, Kagamino Town
  • 9:30~17:00 (Last Entry: 16:30)
  • Tuesday (If Tuesday is a holliday, it will be closed the following day)
  • Adults/College: 500 Yen / High School: 400 Yen / Junior High & Below: 300 Yen
  • http://kanko.town.kagamino.lg.jp/fairywood/
Mimasaka City Sakuto Art Museum

[Mimasaka City]

Mimasaka City Sakuto Art Museum

This museum displays a collection of watercolors, oil paintings and etchings depicting love and lovers by the artist Raymond Peynet. A priceless sculpture of Orpheus by Auguste Rodin is also a must-see.

  • Mimasaka City Sakuto Art Museum
    ☎ 0868-75-1117
  • 945 Emi, Mimasaka City
  • 9:30~16:30 (Last Entry: 16:00)
  • Monday (Following Day If Monday a Holiday), 3rd Sunday of Every Month
  • Adults: 300 Yen / College & High School: 200 Yen / Junior High & Elementary: 150 Yen / Below Elementary: Free
  • http://kanko.city.mimasaka.lg.jp/detail/index_40.html