美作国の四季を満喫する

A Snow White Fantasy—Heartwarming Scenes of Winter in Mimasaka-no-Kuni

Hiruzen Ski Resorts

[Maniwa City]

Hiruzen Ski Resorts

Located just five minutes from the Hiruzen Interchange, “Hiruzen Bear Valley Ski Resort” is replete with lights for nighttime skiing. “Kami-Hiruzen Ski Resort” is ideal for first-time and beginner skiers. “Tsuguro Kogen Ski Resort” provides panoramic views of Mt. Daisen and the three peaks of Mt. Hiruzen. Maniwa City is home to these three excellent ski resorts, all of which also allow for snowboarding.

Onbara Kogen Ski Resort

[Kagamino Town]

Onbara Kogen Ski Resort

One of the largest panoramic ski slopes in Okayama Prefecture, this resort provides breathtaking views of the Chugoku Mountains. The resort has something for everyone to enjoy—from families on outings to expert skiers. The entire slope is open to snowboarders and there is also a Kids’ Park. On Saturdays, the resort is open late for night skiing.

Rice Terraces of Ohaganishi

[Misaki Town]

Rice Terraces of Ohaganishi

The Town of Misaki (Kume District) in north-central Okayama Prefecture, there sits among the mountains at an altitude of 400m an expansive valley that is filled throughout with terraced rice paddies—some 850 in all—stretching in every direction along the slope of the valley. The scenery carved out of the mountains by the unique lines of the rice paddies’ ridge pattern is simply breathtaking. Selected as one of the Top 100 Rice Terraces in Japan, these terraced rice paddies are renowned for how their beauty continually transforms with the passing of each season. During the period between the rice-planting season in early summer and the fall harvest, the rice terraces present a spectacular scene sculpted by the collaborative work of man and Mother Nature. During the fall, the rice terraces present another gorgeous view when they are engulfed in the occasional sea of clouds.

Higashiawakura Snow Festival: Snowball Fight

[Mimasaka City]

Higashiawakura Snow Festival: Snowball Fight

Experience the excitement of a real, full-scale snowball fight.

  • Ainomura Park (1872 Ushiroyama, Mimasaka City)
    ☎ 0868-78-0202
Forest Therapy Council: Snowshoe Experience

[Shinjo Village]

Forest Therapy Council: Snowshoe Experience

Try on a pair of snowshoes and enjoy treading a path through a forest of beech and cedar trees at the foot of Mt. Kenashi.

  • Shinjo Village Office of Industry and Construction
    ☎ 0867-56-2628
Hiruzen Guide Club: Snowshoe Tour

[Maniwa City]

Hiruzen Guide Club: Snowshoe Tour

Enjoy a stroll through the snow-white fields around Mt. Hiruzen while wearing snowshoes.

  • Hiruzen Guide Club
    ☎ 0867-66-3220　(Hiruzen Tourism Association)

Whimsical Winter Events

Romantic Illumination for Lovers (Valentine Park Sakuto)

[Mimasaka City]

Romantic Illumination for Lovers (Valentine Park Sakuto)

Designed around the theme of LOVE, Valentine Park Sakuto is symbolized by its central “Spring of Love,” a sculpture by the French artist Raymond Peynet. The park is lit up with special illumination in the winter, giving it an even more romantic atmosphere than usual.

  • Sakuto Valentine Hotel
    ☎ 0868-75-1115
  • 993 Emi, Mimasaka City
Onbara Kogen Frost Festival

[Kagamino Town]

Onbara Kogen Frost Festival

Held at Onbara Kogen Ski Resort, this lively festival is one of the largest winter events in the Chugoku/Shikoku Region, featuring a treasure hunt in the snow, a sledding tournament and various other snow games, as well as a fireworks show with over 5,000 shots and a laser light show.

  • Kagamino Town Office of Industry and Tourism
    ☎ 0868-54-2987
  • Onbara Kogen Ski Resort (2037 Kamisaibara, Kagamino Town)
Hiruzen Yuki Koi (Snow Romance) Festival

[Maniwa City]

Hiruzen Yuki Koi (Snow Romance) Festival

This event lets you enjoy winter at Mt. Hiruzen to its fullest. At night, a thousand kamakura (Japanese-style igloos) are lit up by candlelight, creating an almost magical scene. Of course, everyone’s favorite Hiruzen gourmet cooking also makes an appearance!

  • Hiruzen Tourism Association
    ☎ 0867-66-3220
  • Around KYUKAMURA Hiruzen Kogen “Rest House Shirakaba no Oka”(1205-281 Hiruzen Kamifukuda, Maniwa City)
Kanjiki (Snowshoe) Tour

[Nishiawakura Village]

Kanjiki (Snowshoe) Tour

Experience winter mountain climbing while wearing traditional Japanese kanjiki (snowshoes) in a hiking event that allows you to fully enjoy the winter scenery.

  • Nishiawakura Village Office of Industry and Tourism
    ☎ 0868-79-2111
  • Wakasugi (Japanese Cedar) Native Forest of Mt. Komano’o Daruga Peak
キCandle Fantasy in Yubara Onsen (Hot Spring) Village

[Maniwa City]

Candle Fantasy in Yubara Onsen (Hot Spring) Village

Around Christmas and Valentine’s Day, the area around the famous Sunayu (Sand Bath) outdoor bath is bathed in the warm orange glow of candlelight.

  • Yubara Sightseeing Information Center
    ☎ 0867-62-2526
  • Yubara Onsen (Hot Spring) (Around the Sunayu Outdoor Bath)
Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring) Yuge (Steam) Festival

[Kagamino Town]

Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring) Yuge (Steam) Festival

Various events are held in the neighborhood around Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring) so that you can enjoy the hot springs and the snow at the same time! The candlelit miniature kamakura (Japanese-style igloos) emanate a strong sense of winter spirit.

  • Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring) Tourism Association
    ☎ 0868-52-0610
  • Okutsu Onsen (Hot Spring) Neighborhood, Kagamino Town