A relaxing trip to the countryside. This is Ojiro.

Ojiro is a small village surrounded by mountains in northern Hyogo Prefecture . Here you will find beautiful nature, rich food, and warm people. Ojiro Village is a member of the Association of Japan's Most Beautiful Villages. Why not experience the changing scenery of Ojiro throughout the seasons?

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Visit North Kansai

This is a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern Kinki region of Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also include oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockles, rock oysters, and white squid in the summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit sand dune melon, making this an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. I would be happy to be able to visit the vast northern Kinki region many times and share information on railroad journeys.

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• Table of Contents
• Ojiro is one of the most beautiful villages in Japan!
• A miraculous cow born in a small village!
• Join the event and enjoy Ojiro!
• Enjoying nature and scenery
• A spot where you can experience and see things ♪

Ojiro is one of the most beautiful villages in Japan!

The NPO "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages" Association, modeled on the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" movement, aims to preserve the landscape and culture of Japan's farming, mountain, and fishing villages while promoting their independence as the most beautiful villages. In 2012, Ojiro became the first village in Hyogo Prefecture to receive this certification. Ojiro's status as the "hometown of Wagyu beef" and the "Mikata Cruelty National Marathon," which was created by the ward's residents, have both become registered local resources. Ojiro is considered the "hometown of Wagyu beef" because it has been confirmed that 99.9% of the Japanese Black breeding cows in the country are related to the bloodline of Ojiro's "Tajiri " cow. The "Mikata Cruelty National Marathon" is a tough marathon that takes participants around an undulating course covering a distance of 24km and with an elevation change of 400m. Local elementary and junior high school students sent messages of support to each of the 2,400 participating runners, and on the day of the event, water stations and other facilities were set up in each village, providing creative ways to cheer on and welcome the runners, making it a tournament in which runners from all over the country and local residents worked together to reach the finish line.

For more information about the Association of Japan's Most Beautiful Villages, click here.

A miraculous cow born in a small village!

"Even if you forget your lunch, don't forget your umbrella."

Such sayings are passed down in Tajima, where there is so much rain and a large difference in temperature between day and night. The mountains are also rich in water, wild plants, and medicinal herbs. Cows support our livelihood by plowing the fields and giving birth to calves. It is said that the farmers lovingly massaged them every day, which resulted in soft skin and fur, as well as tender meat. It is no exaggeration to say that the abundance of nature and loving people living here has led to the development of such wonderful cows.

The Ojiro Guide Club was formed by local residents to convey the charm of Ojiro . With the cooperation of livestock farmers, the club operates guided tours to help as many people as possible learn about the origins of Tajima beef as the "hometown of Wagyu beef." This tour allows you to experience the Ojiro of Ojiro firsthand while interacting with many people.

The Ojiro Guide Club offers two tours: a tour of the sacred land of Wagyu beef and a tour of the spectacular scenery of Ojiro.

*Application required. For more information, please see the Ojiro Guided Tour website.

About Ojiro Guide Club Tours

99.9% of the facts! Learn about the origins of Wagyu beef

Join the event and enjoy Ojiro!

Many districts within Ojiro still have their own unique traditions and events that have been passed down since ancient times. There are festivals that are key to getting to know Ojiro better and understanding its way of life, such as Bon Odori dances in each district, autumn festivals, and the Dainichi Festival, held every January to pray for the safety of Ojiro , so be sure to participate. Enjoy the nature of Ojiro while also experiencing events such as the Mikata Cruelty Marathon and Ojiro Valley Festival in the season of fresh greenery, and the Ojiro Marche in the autumn foliage season. In winter, there are also events unique to a snowy country, such as snowball fights. Let's join together and enjoy the rich nature!

Click here for the Ojiro event

Enjoying nature and scenery

Ojiro is a place surrounded by mountains and full of nature.

Waterfalls, rice terraces, and starry skies at night. There are plenty of spots where you can experience the changing seasons.

There are also activities for each season, such as playing in the river and playing in the snow.

Uheyama Rice Terraces

667-1544 Hyogo Prefecture, Mikata District, Kami Town, Ojiro Ward, Nuk...

Anyone who comes here will become a photographer! The Ueyama rice terraces have been selected as one of the 100 best rice terraces in Japan. The breathtaking views that unfold among the mountains are captivating, and it is a beautiful Japanese landscape that everyone cannot help but take photos of. The unique curves of the ridges on the slopes, the open view in front, and the fact that there are almost no fallow fields and it is well managed have all been highly evaluated, leading to its selection as one of the 100 best rice terraces in Japan. As the rice terraces make good use of landslide land, they are one of the geosites in the San'in Coast Geopark, and are one of the landscapes that symbolize the Oshiro district of Kami Town, which is a member of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Japan" Association. Please come and visit us once.

Kusube Valley

667-1501 284 Kusube, Ojiro-ku, Kami-cho, Ojiro gun, Hyogo Prefecture

Head a little further inland from Onsen Ojiron. This is one of the sources of the Yata River that flows into the Sea of ​​Japan, and refers to the area of ​​the upper reaches of the Kusube River at the foot of Hotoke-no-o (1,227m) mountain. There are many waterfalls, including Kaname Falls, Sandan Falls, Suzu Falls, and Arataki Falls. The remains of a gold mine that was dug in the early modern period still remain, and the waterwheels used to generate electricity at that time are still standing. You can also try stream fishing for yamame trout and amago trout in the deep natural surroundings. Please also enjoy Takimitei, where you can enjoy river fish dishes at the foot of the waterfall.

Yoshitaki Waterfall

667-1542 Hyogo Prefecture, Mikata District, Kami Town, Ojiro Ward, Kaj...

The upper waterfall has a drop of 23m and the lower waterfall has a drop of 5m, making the combined height of the two falls 28m. This extremely rare waterfall is also known as "Ura-mi no Taki" (Back-View Waterfall) because Yoshitaki Shrine is located in a cave behind the basin of the falls and the waterfall can be seen from behind. It has been designated a prefectural natural monument. When viewed from behind, the water flows like a curtain. The fresh greenery of early summer and the autumn leaves are especially recommended.

Ojiro Shrine

667-1533 995 Akioka, Ojiro-ku, Kami-cho, Ojiro-gun, Hyogo Prefecture

This is a historic shrine dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami and has many legends. There are dozens of old cedar trees designated as mother trees by the national government near the mountaintop shrine, and among them, the Toumyo cedar, a natural monument also known as Ojiro cedar, is said to be inhabited by a divine spirit and is known as a power spot. The surrounding area is a diverse primeval forest where you can find a unique variety of cedars, including a married couple cedar and miscellaneous trees, and Ojiro Shrine, which retains many legends, is visited not only by religious reasons, but also by people who are attracted to the mysterious land of lush forests. The shrine has a festival day on May 3rd every year, when large and small mikoshi (portable shrines) are dedicated, rice cakes are thrown, and the shrine is bustling with worshippers.

A spot where you can experience and see things ♪

Hot Spring Resort "Ojiron"

667-1503 510-1 Otani, Ojiro-ku, Kami-cho, Ojiro-gun, Hyogo Prefecture

In spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and you can enjoy a sense of freedom while enjoying a flower viewing in the open-air bath. You can relax and enjoy the bath while listening to the murmuring of the Kusube River. The large bath, which boasts water that is soft on the skin, is also popular, as it features a reclining bath, a waterfall bath, and a sauna. When you want to relax after skiing or camping, why not refresh yourself in the natural hot spring?

Soft-shelled turtle and sturgeon farms

667-1511 744-1 Kamimizu, Ojiro-ku, Kami-cho, Ojiro-gun, Hyogo Prefectu...

It has been 50 years since the farming of soft-shelled turtles began as a specialty of Ojiro Ward. This facility mainly farms soft-shelled turtles and sturgeons. You can tour the facility by making a reservation in advance. Recommended Ojiro from Oshiro include "Mamusponin," a health food made by powdering together the nutrients of viper, garlic, and soft-shelled turtle, and "Cho no Shizuku," a fish sauce made from sturgeon. (Available for purchase at Ojiro Products Center.)

Ancient Experience Forest (Kaminoyama Ruins)

667-1513 804 Hiroi, Ojiro-ku, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture

On the grounds there are restored pit dwellings from the Jomon, Yayoi and Kofun periods, as well as an ancient raised-floor storehouse, a museum offering hands-on learning about ancient times, and a private home from the early Meiji period, where the remains of dwellings and excavated items from the Kaminoyama ruins are kept. With a variety of hands-on learning opportunities, it's also perfect for summer vacation independent study.

Check here for more details!