Hyogo Prefectural Hitokura Park

Hyogo Prefectural Hitokura Park is an urban-style nature park in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, established to conserve the environment of Lake Chimei—selected as one of Japan’s “100 Dam Lakes”—and the surrounding forest. The park covers about 48 hectares, and thanks to its scenic beauty and proximity to the city, it attracts many visitors on weekends. Access is via Nose Electric Railway Yamashita Station, then transfer to the Hankyu Bus Nishi-Nose Line, get off at the “Nagahara” bus stop, and walk about 15 minutes. The park consists of three areas: the “Waterside Zone,” where you can stroll along the lakeside while viewing the dam structure and lake surface; the “Hill Zone,” with a lookout hill offering panoramic views of the dam and a forest plaza where families can spread out a picnic sheet, eat lunch, or play with a ball; and the “Mountain Zone,” where broadleaf woodland remains from the production of Hitokura charcoal (famous for tea ceremony use) and where you can enjoy insect observation and birdwatching. The “Nature Center” at the entrance to the Mountain Zone serves as an information hub, introducing the area’s nature and culture, including Hitokura charcoal and the history of silver mining that once took place here.