West HarimanoList of spring outing spots
The beautiful spring verdure, cherry blossoms in full bloom, colorful tulips, and other flowers have arrived, bringing with them a soothing season.
There are plenty of activities to choose from! Enjoy a day out soaking up the sunshine and feeling the pleasant spring breeze.
Local Spring Cuisine
Outings, experiences, and scenic spots
-
Himeji Castle
Himeji City
-
Ako Seaside Park
Ako City
-
Koto Tulip Garden
Kamigori Town
-
Clam digging
Tatsuno City
-
Ieshima Canoe
Himeji City
-
Amagoya Tatara Park
Shiso City
-
Nyu-Nyu Workshop
Ichikawa Town
-
Yasutomi Fireflies
Himeji City
-
Peron Festival
Aioi City
-
Kamikawa Town Cycling
Kamikawa Town
-
NIPPONIA Harima Fukusaki Library
Fukusaki Town
-
Yamasa Kamaboko's Moss Phlox
Himeji City
Nishi Harima Japanese pepperShiso City, Tatsuno City, Taishi Town
In recent years, Shiso City, Tatsuno City, and Taishi Town have been actively cultivating Japanese pepper to utilize fallow fields. They are working to brand the produce as "Nishi Harima Japanese pepper."
Nishi Harima Sansho is characterized by its large berries and refreshing citrus scent. It is harvested in late May, and the warm climate allows the vibrant berries to grow.
Some cafes and restaurants offer dishes that use sansho pepper as an accent, such as gateau chocolat, blancmange, and macarons. In particular, the Taishi Sansho Research Society was established in Taishi Town, and has created a gourmet map listing restaurants where you can eat Nishi Harima sansho pepper. They are also developing recipes, hoping to spread the appeal of Nishi Harima sansho pepper to many people, including locals. Keep an eye out for this new Nishi Harima specialty product.
*The following locations may not be available depending on the season, so please inquire with the store.
Ako SaltAko City
Facing the Seto Inland Sea, Ako is blessed with calm waters and a climate. The renowned Chikusa River brings high-quality sand from the Chugoku Mountains, forming tidal flats, and during the Edo period, highly productive salt production techniques using beach-style salt fields were established. Since then, Ako Salt has remained nationally known, and although the salt production methods have changed, it remains deeply rooted in the history and culture of the town of Ako.
At the Ako City Marine Science Museum, you can learn about the history of salt production in Ako and salt itself through exhibits, with the main theme being "The Seto Inland Sea and Salt."
At the adjacent "Salt Country," you can tour facilities that recreate the salt production methods of the past, including upland salt fields, inlet salt fields, and flow-down salt fields. Experience the history of salt production in a very realistic way. Salt-making experiences are also available, so if you're interested, please contact us. (Inquiries: TEL 0791-43-4192)
Offal fried udonSayo Town
Hormone Yakiudon is a local delicacy that originated in Sayo Town about 70 years ago. It is a unique teppan dish in which udon noodles, horumon, vegetables such as cabbage and green onions, and other ingredients are grilled on a hot plate and then dipped in a dipping sauce. The livestock and meat industries were once thriving in the town, making fresh horumon easily available, which is why it became a popular dish in the town. The sauces are available in a spicy soy sauce base and a sweet miso base, so you can mix and match to suit your taste.
The noodles are mainly udon noodles from the local Hiraya Noodle Factory. They are flat noodles that do not crumble even when cooked and are well coated in the sauce. In Sayo Town, it is made not only in restaurants but also in ordinary homes, and is known as a soul food loved by locals. Each horumon yakiudon restaurant in town has its own unique character, so check the Sayo Town Tourism Association website to find a restaurant and enjoy comparing the different dishes.
Tazumi's EggIchikawa Town
Tazumi eggs are produced by hens raised without the use of chemical fertilizers, on natural feed and mineral-rich natural water. Produced at the Tazumi Poultry Farm in Ichikawa Town, these brand eggs are shipped nationwide.
Once the hens have grown into adult chickens, they are fed paprika in addition to natural ingredients to help them develop resistance to disease and stimulate their appetite. Tazumi eggs, laid by parent hens brimming with nutrients, are characterized by their rich, chewy yolks. Rich in vitamin E and calcium, they are expected to have health and beauty benefits. They are perfect for everyday meals and also make a great gift.
At restaurants in Ichikawa, you can enjoy dishes like eggs on rice and cream buns made with Tazumi eggs. Be sure to check them out when you visit the town.
■ Main sales locations
- ・Tasumi Poultry FarmMAP
Enshin MorodonKamigori Town
Kamigori Town's local delicacy is Enshin Morodon. Morodon is a light green udon noodle dish made with molokhiya, and is characterized by its chewy and smooth texture.
In the 1990s, the development of products using molokheiya began as part of an effort to revitalize the town, and now the town is working together with private companies to promote the use of molokheiya, including cultivating the "Moro Plain (Heiya)," an area of approximately 3,000 square meters dedicated to cultivating molokheiya.
At restaurants in the town, you can enjoy dishes such as warm morodon topped with beef tendon and a soft-boiled egg, tsukemen morodon, and the summer-only salad morodon. Mulukhiya has no strong or bitter taste, making it easy for even children to eat. It has attracted attention as a highly nutritious vegetable, containing about 29 times the amount of beta-carotene as bitter melon.
Light soy sauceTatsuno City
Light soy sauce brings out the color, flavor, and aroma of ingredients. It's a specialty product born in Tatsuno, where essential ingredients for soy sauce production, such as Harima wheat, Shishikuri crescent soybeans, and Ako salt, are readily available in the area, along with the soft, iron-rich water of the Ibo River. Shipments via boats on the Sompo River secured sales channels to major consumer areas like Kyoto and Osaka, and so it's said to have spread to dining tables across Japan.
The Usukuchi Tatsuno Soy Sauce Museum in Tatsuno City displays approximately 2,400 tools and documents that tell the story of soy sauce production from ancient times. Admission is just 10 yen, a play on the word "juuen" (weighted bond). Tatsuno Castle Town is dotted with shops that sell light soy sauce and restaurants where you can enjoy gourmet food made with soy sauce, so why not take a stroll and discover new charms of light soy sauce?
Himeji CastleHimeji City
Himeji Castle, a national treasure, was the first in Japan to be designated a World Heritage Site. It is affectionately known as "White Egret Castle" due to its white castle walls, made entirely of white plaster, and its elegant appearance, resembling a white egret spreading its wings.
Himeji Castle, which has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan," is visited by around 1,000 cherry trees planted within the castle grounds that bloom in profusion from around late March each year, adorning the white plasterwork of the castle. You can take photogenic shots no matter where you frame it, but we also recommend including the red "Jomibashi Bridge," which can be seen from the vicinity of Himeji Gokoku Shrine, south of Himeji City Zoo. Try to find your own perfect angle.
Additionally, the "Night Cherry Blossom Party" is held every year in Nishinomaru Garden to coincide with the cherry blossoms' blooming. The fantastical combination of the illuminated Himeji Castle and the cherry blossoms at night is a must-see! Immerse yourself in a different charm from the daytime. (Photo provided by Himeji City)
- location
- 68 Honmachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Himeji Castle Management Office 079-285-1146
- Opening hours
- 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:00)
* May vary depending on the season - Closed days
- December 29th and 30th
- Admission fee
- Adults (18 years and over): 1,000 yen, Children (elementary, junior high, and high school students): 300 yen
*An admission fee is required for the Cherry Blossom Night Viewing Event.
Himeji Castle
Ako Seaside ParkAko City
Ako Seaside Park, a landmark of Ako City, is a large park located along the coast, covering an area of approximately 72 hectares.
As you enter the vast grounds, you'll be greeted by rows of palm trees. The resort-like atmosphere is sure to excite both adults and children! There are so many fascinating facilities that you won't be able to enjoy everything in one day, including a retro amusement park area that evokes nostalgia, a playground with free-to-use play equipment, and the "Salt Country" salt science museum, where you can experience the unique charms of Ako. There are also campsites and cottages available, so you can stay the night and relax.
In spring, it's also famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, attracting many visitors. There are plenty of cafes in the city, and they offer plenty of takeout options, so be sure to check them out. Even if you can't get up early to make a bento, that's okay! A stylish cafe meal will surely get you in the cherry blossom viewing mood.
- location
- 1857-5 Misaki, Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- 0791-45-0800
- Opening hours
- 9：00～17：00
*Please check the official website for opening hours of each facility. - Closed days
- New Year's holiday (December 29th to January 1st)
Hyogo Prefectural Ako Seaside Park
Koto Tulip GardenKamigori Town
The Koto Tulip Garden opens every year from early to late April in Harima Science Garden City. Approximately 40,000 tulips of 16 varieties bloom in the approximately 5,000 square meter area, and you can encounter tulips in six unique colors and flower shapes. (Check the official website for opening and flowering status.)
The well-maintained garden is managed by a local volunteer group, from the planting of the bulbs onwards. After the flowers have finished blooming, they are dug up one by one so that they will bloom again next year. The vibrant flowers show that the gardens are being cultivated with love.
Admission is free, and there is also free parking on the north side of the garden, which is a great plus. Why not go out to see the tulips with your family and friends on a nice day?
- location
- 2-21, Koto, Kamigori-cho, Ako-gun, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Harima Highlands Regional Association 0791-58-0575
- Opening hours
- 9：00～17：00
- Closed days
- Open daily during the park's opening period
Koto Tulip Garden
Clam diggingTatsuno City
At Shinmaikohama Beach in Tatsuno City, you can enjoy clam digging from mid-April to late June (the clam digging period changes every year, so please check the website). The shallow, calm beach is popular with families, as even small children can safely dig clams. Many people visit from outside the prefecture during the season.
Items such as rakes and buckets can be rented locally, so it's great that you can travel light. They are also sold at retail stores around Shinmaiko during this time, so be sure to check before you head out.
Shellfish digging is like a treasure hunt, as you never know what you'll find, from littleneck clams and cockles to razor clams and razor clams! In fact, it seems that adults are more likely to get hooked than children. You can take home the shellfish you catch (weight limit applies). Don't worry, even if you don't catch a lot, you'll still get a souvenir.
- location
- 1414 Kurosaki, Mitsumachi, Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Mitsumachi Shinmaiko Tourism Cooperative Association 079-322-0424
- Opening hours
- 10:30-16:00 (10:00-16:00 during Golden Week)
- Closed days
- Tuesdays (open on Tuesdays during Golden Week)
Shinmaiko Clam Digging Area
Ieshima CanoeHimeji City
The Ieshima Nature Experience Center is located on Nishijima, the largest of the Ieshima Islands in the Seto Inland Sea. There are facilities for outdoor activities, including a campsite and lodge, so you can enjoy a full-scale outdoor experience. From May to October every year, marine activities such as canoeing and kayaking, which can be enjoyed in the great outdoors, are popular.
Even beginners can safely enjoy canoeing, as you will receive friendly instruction from experienced instructors. Canoes can carry up to four people, so even small children can try it out if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The calm Seto Inland Sea is perfect for canoeing. On clear days, you can even see Shodoshima. Sharing the view with family and friends in the unobstructed scenery and feeling the pleasant sea breeze is sure to be a lifelong memory! Why not put your smartphone away for a day and immerse yourself in nature? (Advance reservations are required to enter the center's island.)
- location
- Nishijima, Ieshima-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- 079-327-1508
- Opening hours
- 7:30-21:00 (reception hours)
- Closed days
- Open daily
Hyogo Prefectural Ieshima Nature Experience Center
Amagoya Tatara ParkShiso City
Chikusa-cho, Shiso City, is known for producing high-quality Chikusa iron (Shiso iron), and its name is even mentioned in the Harima no Kuni Fudoki, a chronicle of the Harima Province, compiled during the Nara period. At Amagaya Tatara Park, you can learn about the history of tatara ironmaking, which was once a thriving industry, by touring the Takadono building at the site of the Amagaya Iron Mine.
The surrounding area is still rich in nature, and you can enjoy a unique worldview that makes you feel as if you've stepped into a movie. Be sure to also stop by the Tatara Village Learning Center (admission fee required), where famous swords made from Chikusa iron are on display.
Environmental improvements made to protect the ruins have been successful, and the wild primroses are now in greater numbers. They usually bloom with pretty purple flowers from mid-May to mid-June. If you come across them, please give them some loving care.
- location
- 1048-38 Nishikawachi, Chikusa-cho, Shiso-shi, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- 0790-76-3833
- Opening hours
- 9：00～17：00
- Closed days
- Wednesdays, December 1st to March 31st of the following year
Tatara Village Learning Center
Nyu-Nyu WorkshopIchikawa Town
Nyu Nyu Kobo is a gelato shop nestled in the nature-rich mountains of Ichikawa-cho, Kanzaki-gun. They always have 12 different types of gelato available, made with plenty of milk from Hyogo Prefecture and seasonal fruits.
The most popular product since the company's founding, "Original Milk," has a refreshing taste with a rich milk flavor. We recommend pairing it with a limited-edition flavor. Every spring, a cherry blossom flavor is released, and you can enjoy the aroma of cherry blossom mochi.
In addition, in the summer they serve sorbet served in half an Inamino melon from Inami Town, and in the fall they serve gelato made with local sweet potatoes, so you're sure to discover new flavors every time you visit.
The takeaway "Gelato" (320 yen) and "Monaka" (320 yen) are also popular. Reservations are required for the "Cookie Sandwich" (320 yen). Why not stop by while taking a drive to Ichikawa-cho?
- location
- 958-1 Shimosaka, Ichikawa-cho, Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- 0790-27-0241
- Opening hours
- Weekdays 10:00-17:00
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:00-17:00 - Closed days
- Wednesdays (open every day in August)
Nyu-Nyu Workshop
Yasutomi FirefliesHimeji City
Along the Hayashida River in Yasutomi-cho, Himeji City, you can enjoy the sight of fireflies, a seasonal feature of early summer. From around late May, Genji fireflies begin to appear in the southern Sadō area, and as the weather gets warmer, they gradually appear in the northern area, and by early July, Hime fireflies begin to fly in the northernmost Seki area (around Green Station). The soft light that floats around in the darkness is truly mystical.
There was a time in the past when fireflies disappeared from the Hayashida River due to the effects of pesticides, but local people have worked to restore them, and now fireflies can be seen in most areas south of the Seki district. The whole town values fireflies, for example by being careful about when to mow the grass. When you visit, please observe good manners and enjoy watching the fireflies.
■Nakado area➡︎Google MAP
■Seki area ➡︎Google MAP
- location
- Yasutomi-cho, Himeji City (along the Hayashida River)
Peron FestivalAioi City
The Aioi Peron Festival is held every year on the last Sunday of May in Aioi Bay. Peron was introduced to Nagasaki from China, and its history dates back to 1922, when a shipyard employee from Nagasaki introduced Peron rowing and started it as an in-house event, which is said to be the roots of the Peron Festival.
Approximately 70 teams from inside and outside the city will participate, competing for speed as they row back and forth on a 300-meter ocean course. The exciting race between 28 rowers is full of highlights!
In addition, the eve of the festival, a fireworks display on the sea will launch approximately 5,000 fireworks. Approximately 270 stalls will be set up, and elementary and junior high school students from the city will march in a parade on land, creating a festive atmosphere.
Why not head out and enjoy an early summer festival? (For more information about the Pelon Festival, please check the Aioi City Tourism Association website.)
- location
- Asahi 1-chome, Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Aioi City Regional Development Division 0791-23-7133
Aioi Peron Festival
Kamikawa Town CyclingKamikawa Town
Kamikawa Town has a cycling course that allows you to experience the rich nature and history. Why not enjoy cycling while feeling the warm spring sunshine?
On the "Ochi River Famous Waters Highway Course," you can cycle downhill and visit famous water spots such as the spectacular "Fudo Falls" and "Sengamine Minamiyama Famous Water," and in the summer you can enjoy playing in the river.
Two new courses will be added in 2022. These include the "Mineyama Plateau Foothills Course," where you can experience the history of Kamikawa Town, and the "Tonomine Plateau Foothills Course," which is dotted with power spots and cafes, allowing you to enjoy sights and beautiful scenery that you wouldn't notice by car, as well as interact with local people.
For all courses, you can take a bus or taxi to the destination, then load your bike onto a tow vehicle at the back and be transported from the meeting point to the starting point, making it a casual cycling challenge. Check the official website for more details.
- location
- Kamikawa Town, Kanzaki District, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Kamikawa Town Tourism Association 0790-34-1001
- Opening hours
- Implementation period: Late March to November 30th
[Reservations for each course are as follows]
・Ochi River Famous Waters Highway Course
Telephone reservation: 0790-32-1021 (Shinki Green Bus Awaga Office) ・Mineyama Plateau foothills course, Tonomine Plateau foothills course
Please check the website "Kamikawa Tourism Navigator" - Closed days
- Other than the above seasons
Kamikawa Town Cycling
NIPPONIA Harima Fukusaki LibraryFukusaki Town
NIPPONIA Harima Fukusaki Library offers a variety of services, including accommodation, restaurants, cafes, and weddings.
The guest rooms, which have been renovated from the Miki Family Residence, a village headman and former Tsujikawa Post Office building, a nationally registered tangible cultural property, and house a total of around 1,000 books related to folklore and supernatural creatures, are said to be where Yanagita Kunio, the father of Japanese folklore studies, engrossed himself in books at the age of 11 and laid the foundations of his academic studies.
You can enjoy a sophisticated course lunch at this restaurant based on the concept of local production and consumption, and of course it is also available for day trips.
The temple is attracting attention from couples who want to hold a unique wedding ceremony in a stately setting that is over 300 years old.
- location
- 1106 Nishitawara, Fukusaki-cho, Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- NIPPONIA Harima Fukusaki Library 0120-293-958
- Opening hours
- [Accommodation] Thursday to Monday
[Restaurant] Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:30-15:00 (last orders 13:30)
*Reservations required at least 2 days in advance - Closed days
- Tuesday and Wednesday
NIPPONIA Harima Fukusaki Library
Yamasa Kamaboko's Moss PhloxHimeji City
Yamasa Kamaboko has been a staple on the dining tables of Himeji since its founding in 1916. Every year from mid-April through Golden Week, the moss phlox blooms at the company's headquarters factory in Yumesaki Town, attracting many visitors. The 210,000 moss phlox plants planted on a site of approximately 6,500 square meters are truly spectacular. Another great thing about the site is that admission is free.
The Shibazakura Path on the premises is packed with photo spots. If you come across an object of Yamasa Kamaboko's mascot, Sacchan, don't forget to take a commemorative photo with the shibazakura.
If you're feeling a little hungry, head to the kamaboko factory "Yumesenkan." Be sure to try the extremely popular one-handed gourmet "Castle Town Dog" (180 yen).
- location
- 327-16 Okimoto, Yumesaki-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
- telephone number
- Yamasa Kamaboko General Affairs Department 079-335-1055
- Opening hours
- 9：00〜17：00
- Closed days
- Open daily (except for New Year's holidays)
- Admission fee
- free
- parking
- Yes (with content)