Hyogo Prefectural Sasayama Forest Park

Hyogo Prefectural Sasayama no Mori Park is a park in Tamba-Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, opened in 2002 (Heisei 14), where you can enjoy satoyama scenery through all four seasons. It was developed as one of the activity sites for Hyogo Prefecture’s “Nature-Utilization Outdoor CSR (Culture, Sports, Recreation) Program.” Access is via JR San’in Main Line Sonobe Station, then take Keihan Kyoto Kotsu Bus (Sonobe Line), get off at the “Kawahara-higashi” bus stop, and walk about 20 minutes. The park features many walking trails, including the “Red Pine Forest Trail,” “Lakeside Trail,” “Over-the-Lake Trail,” “Deciduous Woodland Trail,” “Birdsong Trail,” “Yellow-Leaves Tree Trail,” and “Nut Trail,” offering a variety of hiking options. In spring you can enjoy cherry blossoms and kobano-mitsuba-tsutsuji (azaleas), in summer fresh greenery, in autumn vibrant colors such as the yellow of konara oak and takano-tsume and the red of wax trees, and in winter colorful scenery including snow landscapes like ink paintings. Programs and events are also plentiful, including plant-dyeing, rice cultivation experiences, soba noodle-making, and sugidama (cedar ball) crafting—making it a great spot for families to visit together.