From virgin forests to wildflowers, autumn leaves, and a world of silvery white snow! Enjoy the four seasons of the Chugoku Mountains on the Shimizu Trail

The entire Shimizu Trail, an 8,132m trekking course connecting Okayama Prefecture and Tottori Prefecture, has now been grandly opened. Starting and ending at Ningyo Pass in Kagamino Town , you can walk along the ridges Shimizu and Mount Hakushu. The course, covered with soft wood chips, is gentle on the legs and hips, making it an easy trek even for beginners. Why not enjoy a casual hike in the beautiful nature of the Chugoku Mountains, which changes with the seasons?

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Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation

Okayama Prefecture is located in the Center of Western Japan and is known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its warm climate and little rain throughout the year. It's conveniently located halfway between famous tourist destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima! It's also the gateway to Shikoku via the Seto. Okayama is also known as the "Fruit Okayama," and the fruits that are sun-drenched in the warm climate of the Setouchi are of the highest quality in terms of sweetness, aroma, and flavor. You can enjoy seasonal fruits such as white peaches, Muscat grapes, and Pione grapes! Okayama is also home to world-class tourist spots, including Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, and Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, which boasts history, culture, and art!

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What is Shimizu Trail?

The Shimizu Trail, which opened in its entirety in November 2019, is an 8,132m trekking course that traverses the border between Kagamino Town in Okayama Prefecture and Misasa Town in Tottori Prefecture , from Ningyo Pass to Shimizu to Mount Hakushu to Aka. The well-maintained course is covered with wood chips, allowing you to enjoy hiking while taking in the nature of the Chugoku Mountains in all four seasons.

Spring ①

The Shimizu route opened in the spring of 2019. The view from the summit of Shimizu, at an altitude of 950 meters, is outstanding. There is also a gazebo, which makes it a good rest spot.

Spring 2

Mount Hakushu, 1,044 meters above sea level, is home to a colony of the wild flower Iwauchiwa, which attracts many enthusiasts in the spring. Iwauchiwa is a rare flower endemic to Japan and is designated as an endangered species in some prefectures.

Summer ①

The best part of summer trekking is being surrounded by lush greenery. Unlike the city, it's cool and refreshing, allowing you to refresh both your body and mind.

Summer 2

With cypress chips underfoot, walking along the footpath through the Mori is sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

Autumn ①

Autumn, when the mountains are painted red and yellow, is the perfect season for trekking as the weather is mild. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the well-maintained trails, making it a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves.

Autumn ②

The beech forest is beautiful not only for its colorful trees but also for its carpet of fallen leaves. The contrast between the blue autumn sky and the autumn leaves is a must-see.

Winter ①

A unique winter activity is hiking on snow in snowshoes or snow shoes. On clear winter days, you can see the mountains of the Chugoku Mountains in the distance.

Winter 2

With over one meter of snow, you can experience things you wouldn't normally be able to do, such as jumping and lying down on the snow.

Let's stop by the hot springs on the way home! "Kurgarden Konoka"

This hot spring facility combines the hot springs of Kamisaihara Onsen and Yunotani Onsen. Men and women alternate days to enjoy the observation deck (Mori no Yu) with a view of Mikagami, and the open-air rock bath (Iwai no Yu) modeled after Iwai Falls. On weekends and holidays, Iwai no Yu also offers special baths with ingredients such as mugwort and dokudami. There is also an indoor pool that uses the hot springs.

*Approximately 20 minutes by car from Aka Parking Lot, approximately 10 minutes by car from Ningyo Pass Parking Lot.

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Takashimizu Trail

1537-8 Kamisaihara, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefecture 708-0...

A course that follows the ridge along the prefectural border between Kagamino Town, Okayama Prefecture and Misasa Town, Tottori Prefecture. Starting and ending at Ningyo Pass, which is 735 meters above sea level, you can walk to Takashimizu Plateau, which is 950 meters above sea level, and Mt. Hakushu, which is 1,044 meters above sea level. The course, paved with fluffy wood chips, is gentle on your feet and hips, and you can spend a healthy and beautiful time walking through the beautiful mountains of the Chugoku Mountains. Even in midsummer, there are few days when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, and you can enjoy trekking depending on your time and physical strength, and you can admire the ``Iwauchiwa'' with its pretty pale pink-purple flowers and the primeval beech forest.

Introducing trekking spots in Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefectural Forest Park

708-0601 332-8 Kamisaihara, Kagamino-cho, Tomata-gun, Okayama Prefectu...

This forest park is located on the border with Tottori Prefecture in the Chugoku Mountains at an altitude of 840 to 1,100 meters. The vast 334-hectare grounds are a treasure trove of hundreds of types of flowers. Inside the park, there is a forest of deciduous broad-leaved trees such as beech and Quercus japonica, and you can also see a larch forest, which is rare in the prefecture. Full of highlights, including natural cedar trees that are estimated to be 200 years old, a waterfall with beautiful autumn leaves, and an observation deck with an outstanding view! There are many wild birds such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, parrot tits, and blue-bellied woodpeckers, making it ideal for bird watching.

Station at the foot of Mt.Nagi

708-1307 591-1 Takamado, Nagi-cho, Katsuta-gun, Okayama Prefecture

This two-story wooden mountain station is modeled after a traditional Japanese house in the Alps. The warm, relaxing atmosphere of a wooden structure includes a specialty product shop, a restaurant, and various experience and training facilities.

Wakasugi Natural Forest (Wakasugi Primeval Forest)

1094 Ohaya, Nishiawakura Village, Aida District, Okayama Prefecture 70...

Located at the northernmost tip of Nishiawakura Village, the Wakasugi Primeval Forest is one of the largest natural forests in the Chugoku region, with an area of ​​83 hectares and 199 types of trees, including giant beech, maple, Quercus oak, and horse chestnut. It is designated as a special protection area of ​​Mt. Hyoyamago-Yanagi-yama Quasi-National Park. It is the source of the Yoshino River, a tributary of the Yoshii River, one of the prefecture's three major rivers, and the murmuring of the valley, the sound of swaying trees, and the voices of wild birds and insects harmonize together to form a different world. In 1985, it was the first forest in the prefecture to be selected as one of Japan's top 100 forests for forest bathing, and the promenade is an excellent hiking course. It has become a place of relaxation for visitors.

Yatakayama Park

716-0223 4301-1 Takayama, Kawakami-cho, Takahashi-shi, Okayama Prefect...

The 17-hectare Yatakayama Park, centered on Mt. Yataka, which is 654 meters above sea level and has an elevation difference of about 60 meters from the base, is a rich natural area with 100,000 azaleas in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, and autumn leaves and a sea of ​​clouds in autumn. It's a park. We have a variety of lodging and training facilities that can be used by groups, families, schools, and other groups, including rental villas, bungalows, lodge rooms, and mountain homes, as well as campgrounds.