MANIWA SHINJO YAMANAMI ROUTE

This route starts at the Hiruzen Kogen Highlands and goes through the picturesque village of Shinjo, with its famous gaisen cherry trees, and the traditional townscape of Katsuyama, famous for its noren (traditional shop curtains). This refreshing route always has something to offer, from the cherry blossoms of spring through to the golden leaves of autumn, and lets riders enjoy the beautiful valley scenery of the region.

Level
★★☆Intermediate
Distance
100km
Highest elevation
539m
Total elevation gain
1,441m
Average time required
3h30m
Recommended season
Spring Cherry blossom season

A refreshing route of old townscapes, cherry trees, autumn leaves, and beautiful valley scenery

ROUTE MAPRoute map

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ROUTE VIEW POINTRoute view point

Hiruzen Three Peaks (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

The Hiruzen Three Peaks are part of the Daisen volcanic zone reaching up to 1,100 m in height with a large tholoid-type (lava dome) structure. The mountain side and surroundings of Mt. Kamihiruzen are used as grazing pastures for cattle, creating a vast and idyllic landscape.

Hiruzen Yakisoba (Stir-fry Noodles) (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

This has been a staple dish in Hiruzen since ancient times with stir-fry noodles in a sweet and salty miso-based sauce mixed with chicken (or kashiwa as chicken is known locally). According to local tradition this unique sauce was created by hand as sauces were generally hard to come by. The flavor of the sauce varies from shop to shop.

Yubara Onsen (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

Yubara Onsen is famous for its mixed rotenburo (outdoor bath) Sunayu. Free to enter and open 24 hours a day, this bath is at the foot of the Yubara Dam surrounded by nature in all its glory. In the nationwide rankings for rotenburo, Sunayu was selected as the grand champion for western Japan. Situated on the banks of the river, it is an ideal place for a soak.

Kanba-no-taki Falls (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

Meet western Japan’s largest and most famous waterfall which is included in the list of Japan’s 100 best scenic views and Japan’s 100 best waterfalls. The scenery along the 2 km gorge leading up to the waterfall is also spectacular with many deciduous trees such as katsura and zelkova, as well as other rare species. The waterfall and its surroundings are also the home to a group of approximately 180 wild monkeys.

Katsuyama Historical Preservation District (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

At the entrance to almost every house in this historical preservation district hangs a colorful, vegetable-dyed noren (traditional shop curtains) enticing visitors to come inside. There is plenty to do in this town throughout the year, including the Hina Matsuri doll festival in spring, and the impressive Kenka Danjiri Matsuri in autumn when floats crash into each other vying for supremacy.

Gaisen Cherry Trees (Shinjo Village)

Detailed Information

The Kishiro Residence, which also functioned as the wakihonjin, or administrator’s sub-lodging house, was built in the 19th century. At the entrance, you can still see a ring for tying up horses and also a sword rack in the restroom. The key attraction here is the 137 gaisen cherry trees. The water channels and brooks of the town where carp can be seen swimming have been selected as one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan.

Roadside Station Gaisenzakura Shinjoshuku (Shinjo Village)

This roadside station reopened after refurbishment in April 2018. Offering nostalgic flavors of the countryside and clear, fresh air, the theme for this place is “Take a break in a soothing village, nestled in the heart of nature.”

Himeno Mochi (pounded sticky rice) (Shinjo Village)

The big difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures in summer make Shinjo Village a perfect place for the production of delicious pounded sticky rice (mochigome). This specialty product is born from the perfect combination of the waters that spring from the primeval beech forests at the source of the Asahi River, the soil enriched by organic fertilizers from cattle, and the clear air of the region.

Roadside Station Kaze-no-Ie (Maniwa City)

The big draw here is the super-fresh vegetable market that opens from April to December each year. This is the biggest vegetable market of its kind in the region and local producers come together to sell the vegetables they have grown in the fertile Hiruzen soil. Local specialty products, arts and crafts, and other souvenir goods are also available for sale.

Hiruzen Jersey Land (Maniwa City)

Detailed Information

Here you can see herds of Jersey cows munching contentedly on meadow grass on the flanks of Mt. Kami-Hiruzen and beneath the grand Hiruzen Three Peaks. Popular items in the restaurant and shop are soft-serve ice cream and a selection of Jersey sausages.

ACCESSAccess to start and finish point(s)

START & GOAL

Roadside Station Hiruzen Highland

694-129 Hiruzen Tomiyamane, Maniwa City 717-0503

Detailed

●Via car:
Approx. 20 minutes from Hiruzen IC on the Yonago Expressway

PARKING SPACEParking lots around the start and along the route

Parking

  • Roadside Station Hiruzen HighlandNear the start and finish point(s)
    694-129 Hiruzen Tomiyamane, Maniwa City 717-0503
    Parking lot: Approx. 50 cars, 10 large vehicles (free)

    Detailed

  • Hiruzen Highlands Sports Park
    2300-1 Hiruzen Kaminagata, Maniwa City 717-0505
    Parking lot: Approx. 100 cars, 10 buses (free)

    Detailed

  • Roadside Station Gaisenzakura Shinjoshuku
    2190-1 Shinjo-son, Maniwa-gun 717-0201
    Parking lot: Approx. 45 cars, 5 buses, EV charger available (free)

    Detailed

  • Roadside Station Kaze-no-Ie
    1380-6 Hiruzen Kamitokuyama, Maniwa City 717-0612
    Parking lot: Approx. 218 cars, 6 large vehicles, EV charging stand (1 rapid) (free)

    Detailed

  • Yubara Onsen, hot spring
    Yubara Onsen, Maniwa City 717-0402
    Approx. 100 cars, 20 buses (free)

    Detailed

  • Shimoyubara Onsen Himawari-kan
    24-1 Shimoyubara, Maniwa City 717-0403
    Parking lot: Approx. 50 cars (free)

    Detailed

  • Katsuyama Culture Center
    319 Katsuyama, Maniwa City 717-0013
    Parking lot: Approx. 99 cars (free)

    Detailed

HOTELRecommended hotels for cyclists

  • (National Park Resort )
    KYUKAMURA HIRUZEN-KOGEN

    Hotel image

    Address
    1205-281 Hiruzen Kamifukuda, Maniwa City 717-0602
    TEL
    0867-66-2501
    HP
    Hotel Website
  • Yubara Onsen, hot spring

    Hotel image

    Address
    Yubara Onsen, Maniwa City 717-0402
    TEL
    0867-62-2526
    HP
    Hotel Website

KURASHIKI TAMANO
SEASIDE ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE1

Distance
90km
Highest elevation
219m

Kurashiki-Tamano Seaside Route

BICCHU AROUND
HISTORICAL VISITING ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE2

Distance
108km
Highest elevation
409m

Bicchu Around Historical Route

OKUKIBI
YAMABIKO ROUTE

Level / ★★★ Advanced

ROUTE3

Distance
83km
Highest elevation
451m

Okukibi-Yamabiko Route

MANIWA SHINJO
YAMANAMI ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE4

Distance
100km
Highest elevation
539m

Maniwa-Shinjo-Yamanami Route

KATATETSU
ROMAN KAIDOU ROUTE

Level / ★★☆ Intermediate

ROUTE5

Distance
76km
Highest elevation
125m

Katatetsu Romantic Road Route

OKAYAMA KAGAMINO
THROUGH ROUTE

Level / ★★★ Advanced

ROUTE6

Distance
114km
Highest elevation
791m

Okayama-Kagamino Traverse Route

KIBIJI
CYCLING ROUTE

Level / ★☆☆ Beginner

ROUTE7

Distance
25km
Highest elevation
26m

Kibiji Cycling Route

HIRUZEN-KOGEN
HEIGHTS CYCLING ROUTE

Level / ★☆☆ Beginner

ROUTE8

Distance
29km
Highest elevation
135m

Hiruzen Kogen Heights Cycling Route

Recommended by local towns and villages 37 mini routes

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