Open only two days a week!? 😍
Three hidden gem bakeries in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture you’ll want to go out of your way to visit 🥐💞

Read the article here 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5461

As a foodie in my 30s who loves sweets, I adore hunting for places that aren’t “ordinary.” In Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, there are hidden bakeries that operate as mobile vendors or only open on limited days. I actually visited them and will introduce them here!

Be sure to check the Shobara Tourist Navi website’s “Editorial Report”!

The Hiruzen Highlands are an idyllic corner of Japan nestled in the north of Okayama prefecture. The highlands are a popular resort area locally but see comparatively little foreign tourism, meaning it remains one of the region's better-kept secrets! Those who feel tired of the usual throng of tourists are sure to be soothed by the pastureland and mountain vistas. Hiruzen boasts the largest Jersey Cow farm in Japan, and some of the best milk i've had in the country.

Hiruzen is not all undulating vistas and bucolic pleasures, though- It has its own amusement park! "Joyful Park" feels somewhat nostalgic, and has fun rides that are sure to delight any children you bring along. I have been a few times, and seen both monkey and dog shows performed there. The attached restaurant makes excellent use of local sheep for really delicious jingisukan mutton at an affordable price! After the crowding of parks like USJ, it is very refreshing to be able to go on any ride you'd like at a reasonable timescale.

Hiruzen is perhaps at its best in fall, but can be a bit chilly in winter, so fair warning!

Enveloped by the forest, a gentle hot spring
The end of a day touring Miyoshi
There is a place where you can soak in the onsen and stay the night afterwards.

The hot spring at Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi
has long been loved as a “beauty spring.”
The water, rich in sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate of soda), gently smooths the skin,
leaving it feeling soft after your bath.

This spring is said to work gently on neuralgia, chilliness, and poor circulation.

The second floor of the hot spring facility is reserved for overnight guests.
There are Japanese-style rooms, Western-style rooms, and Japanese-Western hybrid rooms,
so you can choose according to group size and how you’d like to spend your time.

There is also a self-catering plan without meals,
which is popular for family gatherings when people return home and for trips with flexible plans.

Reservations are available from Kumita Onsen’s official website.

Day-trip bathing is also available in addition to overnight stays.
Please spend time letting both body and mind be healed by Mori no Izumi.♨

Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi @kimita_onsen
📍311-3 Izumi Yoshida, Kimita Town, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone / 0824-53-7021
Day-trip bathing
(Fee) Adults 800 yen, ages 3 to elementary school 400 yen, infants free
(Hours) 10:00–20:30 (last admission 20:00)

https://kimitaonsen.com/

Get drunk on the delicious flavors of Shobara City in Hiroshima Prefecture! 😍 Savor smoked dishes and sake at Kaneki-ya in Hakushima-Kitamachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima City 🥩🍶

Kaneki-ya in Hakushima-Kitamachi, Naka Ward is a popular stop for many people with ties to Shobara. Here you can enjoy snacks made with Hiba Beef and a range of smoked items from Smoked Hakoda. Kaneki-ya also offers sake from breweries in Shobara City! This time, we explored what makes Kaneki-ya so appealing.

[Shobara Sightseeing Guide website "Editorial Report" has been updated!]
Read the article here 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5454

Hello everyone♪
How did you spend the New Year holidays?

Miyoshi Tourist Information Center
reopened for 2026 on Sunday, January 4th.

The Miyoshi Tourist Information Center offers
city circulation maps and tourism brochures for Miyoshi City.
Maps, brochures, and apps make exploring attractions easier.

We also offer guidebooks in foreign languages (English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)!

When you are near Miyoshi Station,
be sure to stop by the Miyoshi Tourist Information Center♪

A shot at Misen Main Hall on the summit of MtMisen in Hiroshima Prefecture.
I planned to walk to the top,
but I ended up taking the ropeway.
Even so, I’m smiling.
Next time I’ll come by proper hike.
This jizo statue is called "Gomen-ne Jizo" or "Negai Jizo."
It’s a presence that accepts people’s regrets and wishes.

Did you know that some areas in Hiroshima Prefecture get heavy snowfall? ⛄

Shobara City, located in the heart of the Chugoku region at the northernmost part of Hiroshima Prefecture, is known as one of the prefecture’s major heavy-snow zones. You can ski and snowboard at three ski areas in Shobara—Hiroshima Kenmin-no-Mori Ski Area, Dogoyama Kogen Ski Resort, and Ringo Kyowakoku Ski Area—and some campers enjoy winter camping at local campgrounds, so you can get active and enjoy various snow activities.

At the National Bihoku Hillside Park, the winter illumination event “Bihoku Illumi” is taking place.
The display runs through Monday, January 12, 2026 (a public holiday).
Enjoy a magical time with your loved ones as snow, light, and sound come together. ⛄

Also, on Sunday, February 1, a snowball fight tournament will be held. Spectators are welcome even if you don’t participate.

Winter is the time to visit Shobara! Please come and see us…! ✨

For winter event details, see below🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/133

Visit the “Shobara Tourism Navi” website🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/

【🎍2025→2026 Year‑End and New Year Edition🎍】
Here is information about the year‑end and New Year holiday opening days and hours for Miyoshi City’s tourist spots and major facilities.
Check them out!

◼︎Miyoshi Tourist Information Center
Address: Tokaichiminami 1‑chome 2‑23, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat)
Hours: 8:45–17:15

◼︎Genso Okuda · Sayume Art Museum
Address: 10453‑6 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu)
Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30)

◼︎Yumoto Koichi Memorial Museum of Japanese Yokai (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum)
Address: 1691‑4 Miyoshi Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: December 26 (Fri)–January 1 (Thu)
Hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 16:30)

◼︎Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery
Address: 10445‑3 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 1 (Thu)
Hours: 9:30–17:30

◼︎Torette Miyoshi
Address: 10438 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 4 (Sun)
Hours: 9:00–17:00 — check notes!
Note: The buffet restaurant is closed on December 30 (Tue) and December 31 (Wed)

◼︎Miyoshi Mori no Pokke
Address: 456‑2 Higashi Sakaya Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: December 29 (Mon)–January 3 (Sat)
Hours: 9:30–16:00 (weekends and holidays 9:30–16:10)

◼︎Roadside Station Yumeland Funo
Address: 661‑1 Shimofuno, Funo Town, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 3 (Sat)
Hours: 9:00–16:00 — check notes!
Note: The farmers’ market (vegetable market) is open until the morning of December 30 (Tue)
The shop is open until the morning of December 31 (Wed)
Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun)

◼︎Kumita Onsen Mori no Izumi
Address: 311‑3 Izumiyoshida, Kimitamachi, Miyoshi City
Hours: 10:00–20:30 (last admission 20:00)
Closed for the holidays: December 30 (Tue)

◼︎Foleo Miyoshi Plaza
Address: 1‑1‑10 Tokaichi Naka, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Thu)–January 2 (Fri)
Hours: 9:00–22:00
Holiday hours:
December 31 (Wed) 9:00–20:00
January 1 (Thu) and January 2 (Fri) closed
January 3 (Sat) 10:00–20:00
Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun)

◼︎Sangreen Miyoshi
Address: 4‑1‑30 Tokaichi Higashi, Miyoshi City
Closed for the holidays: January 1 (Wed)
Holiday hours:
December 31 (Wed) 9:30–18:00
January 1 (Thu) closed
January 2 (Fri) and January 3 (Sat) 10:00–18:00
Regular hours resume from January 4 (Sun)
Note: Dakko Room Miyoshi (Miyoshi City Childcare Support Center) is open until noon on December 28 (Sun) for year‑end and reopens from 10:00 on January 4 (Sat) for the New Year

Enjoy Miyoshi City during the year‑end and New Year holidays♪

Merry Christmas! 🎅✨
How are you spending this Christmas?

Hiroshima Prefecture’s largest illumination event, Bihoku Illumination, is now underway at National Bihoku Hillside Park 🎄💞

An installation art collective called Mirror Baller, known for creating spaces of light and reflection, presents artworks themed around “Dream,” filling the winter park with magical light and sound.
Enjoy a photogenic, moving experience.
Last year Mirror Baller occupied a paid special area; this year they are free to enter.

🌟Event details here🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/event/5326

🌟Recommended articles🔽
[2025 Updated] Pair the National Bihoku Hillside Park illumination with delicious on-site gourmet treats!
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5380

[Spectacular Views in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture — This Is the Place!]
Experience beautiful nature🍃 Top scenic spots in Shobara!

Located in the center of the Chugoku region, Shobara covers a territory where 80 percent of the area is forest. This town, where people and nature live together in satoyama-style communities, still preserves natural wonders you won’t find in the city. Here are breathtaking vistas that remind you of the everyday, long-forgotten but precious gifts of vast nature and the kindness of its people.

For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4019

It seems hard to believe it is part of Japan!

Anyone who has visited Japan for any length of time knows that once you get beyond the cities there is beautiful verdant scenery no matter how far you go. Almost anywhere in Japan you can expect to see forested mountains, flowers, and idyllic green vistas. But not here! The Tottori sand dunes, in one of Japan's least visited prefectures, offer an entirely different landscape. It is more than just a palette cleanser, it is also beautiful in its own right! Clambering up the dunes can be arduous in in summer, and the dunes that don't seem so vast or sweeping when you set out can feel very tiring on the way back, so be sure to pace yourself and bring some water.

Besides the natural beauty, the sand is also sculpted by an international team in the adjacent Sand Museum! The Sand sculptures inside are enormous in scale, and have a different theme every year. I especially liked the French exhibition. Seeing France depicted through the medium of sand in rural Japan is an experience as unexpected as it is delightful. I didn't try it myself, but for those wanting something more exotic, there are also camels to ride!

[Outdoor and Active Picks in Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture]
Fun for everyone! 😍 Enjoy Shobara’s vast nature with these activities

Blessed with expansive wilderness, Shobara is a summer retreat and home to Ogidani Auto Campsite, one of Hiroshima Prefecture’s largest campgrounds where you can even try rare snow camping in Western Japan during winter. Beyond camping, thrill-seekers can enjoy rafting, canoe and kayak experiences, and river walking. In winter, you can fully enjoy outdoor sports like skiing.

For more details, visit the Shobara Tourist Navi website🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4018

Seven must-try ramen shops in Shobara City, at the northern tip of Hiroshima Prefecture 🍜✨

[Shobara Sightseeing Navi website: "Editorial Report" is up!]
Check the article here 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/report/5445

In Shobara City, you can enjoy a wide range of ramen, from classic light broths to more unusual bowls.

With so many attractive shops to choose from, a steaming bowl of ramen will be just what you want as the cold season sets in!!

This time, we introduce ramen you can eat around Shobara City.
We’ve summarized each shop’s appeal and characteristics.

Be sure to find your favorite bowl 🍜✨

[Hot Springs and Day-Use Baths in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture — Your Go-To Spots!]
Relax your body and mind 🍃 Hot springs in Shobara♨

These hot springs ease fatigue and offer soothing relief. With open-air baths framed by nature’s year-round scenery, both body and mind unwind. The freely flowing water from mineral-rich pools adds a touch of luxury. Whether on a trip or taking a daily break, be sure to enjoy Shobara’s hot springs.

For details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4017

【Top 8 Miyoshi Gourmet Delights You Can Order Online】
A must-see for anyone who wants to enjoy Miyoshi’s gourmet flavors at home! ✨

Here are Miyoshi gourmet items available for mail order — perfect for family gatherings over the New Year or get-togethers with friends.
Find your favorites and take your time
savoring the tastes of Miyoshi. 🍽️✨

If you have recommendations, please leave a comment!

※■Shops participating in the Furusato Nozei return‑gift program
are also listed on the furusato nozei (hometown tax) websites.
Be sure to search for them♪

************************************************
01 Mitonoba
■Address: 561-1 Higashisakaya-chō, Miyoshi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Instagram: @mitonoba7
■Online Shop:
Search for "Miyoshi Wine Beef"
https://meetnoba.base.shop/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
02 Mirasaka Fromage
■Address: 1617-1 Mirasaka Nika, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Online Shop:
Search for "Mirasaka Fromage"
https://mfromage.net/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
03 Izumiya Confectionery (Japanese & Western Confections)
■Address: 5038-1 Mirasaka, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Instagram: @izumiya_mirasaka
■Online Shop:
Search for "Izumiya Miyoshi"
https://www.kashiwa-mochi.com/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
04 Hiroshima Okonomiyaki Ima-chan
■Address: 2130-7 Shiomachi, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Online Shop:
Search for "Ima-chan Miyoshi"
https://oko-imachan.jp/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
05 Kodama Soy Sauce
■Address: 230 Shimokawatate-chō, Miyoshi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Instagram: @marutamasoysause
■Online Shop:
Search for "Kodama Soy Sauce kirisoba"
https://marutama7.com/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
06 Fujita Foods
■Address: 738 Megurigami-chō, Miyoshi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Online Shop:
Search for "Fujita Foods Miyoshi"
https://fujita-foods.xsrv.jp/
A product list is available on the "Wani no Heya" page
To order, please call or fax: 0824-66-1082 / 0824-66-1093

************************************************
07 Yamaoka Sake Brewery
■Address: 489-1 Nishino, Kōnu-chō, Miyoshi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Instagram: @yamaokasyuzou
■Online Shop:
Search for "Yamaoka Sake Brewery Miyoshi"
https://zuikan.jp/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

************************************************
08 HIROSHIMA NOH BREWERY
■Address: 917 Kaitabara, Kisa-chō, Miyoshi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
■Instagram: @hiroshimanohbrewery
■Online Shop:
Search for "Hiroshima Noh Beer"
https://hiroshima-noh-brewery.com/
■Participating vendor for Furusato Nozei return gifts

【Everybody is welcome!】
Right next to Kamikawatachi Station
is Cafe Mike and Shirley
—a shop marked by its name painted on a white wall,
housed in a renovated 70-year-old rice warehouse☕

Inside, you’ll find teapots, cups, and British teas sourced from the United Kingdom.

The tall ceilings and natural light create a relaxed space where you can enjoy tea or lunch at your leisure.

The lunch menu’s fish pie comes straight from the oven, served piping hot.

Wrapped in the toasty aroma of cheese, a spoon reveals a white sauce filled with salmon, shrimp, and scallops.
The seafood’s savory flavors gently unfold.

Served with salad and bread, the herb-scented notes drifting from the bread whet the appetite 😋

Owner Mr. Soneda honed his skills at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant.

Desserts are made by his British wife, Karina, and each one is authentically done.

They opened with the idea of creating a place where eating makes people happy, right here in Kamikawatachi.

If you’re lucky, you can spot a train through the window, giving you the feeling of a pleasant stop on your journey 🚃

This is the perfect spot not only for fans of British cuisine but also for anyone seeking a calm café experience.

【Café Mike and Shirley】
@cafemikeandshirley
■ Address: 2271-2 Kamikawatachi, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
■ Hours: 11:30–17:00
■ Closed: Monday, Tuesday, and the 2nd and 4th Sundays
■ Tel: 070-1874-8939
■ Vegetarian options available
■ Accessible for wheelchairs and strollers
■ Diaper changing sheet available
※Menu items and prices are as of the time of posting.

Where to stay in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture: private rented traditional houses and more!
A retreat in Shobara to soothe body and mind with satoyama scenery💛

A quiet traditional house hotel nestled in the great outdoors, offering a chance to experience satoyama landscapes you rarely encounter. This special inn pampers you from the inside out with open-air baths, a sauna, gourmet cuisine, and attentive hospitality.

For details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4016

[Roadside Stations and Shopping in Shobara, Hiroshima Prefecture — Your Go-To Spots!]
Take a spontaneous drive! 🚗 Enjoy local food and shopping at roadside stations

Roadside stations brim with local specialties. They gather regional produce and processed goods, and when you spot one during a drive or trip, it’s the kind of welcoming stop you’ll want to pop into—a pleasant place for everyone to relax. Come by and savor Shobara’s food and shopping offerings.

Not only roadside stations but also direct-sale markets and product halls
Why not drop by for some shopping on your drive ✨

For details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navi website 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4015

[A special one just for you ✨]
It feels like gazing into a jeweler’s display case!
This rumoured patisserie makes everyone’s eyes light up.

Introducing Patisserie bianco nero (Patisserie Bianco Nero)
.

The shop name Bianco Nero (literally "white and black" in Japanese)
is also the nickname of the Italian football team Juventus.

True to its name, the chic interior is styled in black and white.
Beautifully shaped cakes line the display case.
They aren’t sliced cakes but individually crafted whole cakes.

"We want to deliver a single special cake just for you,"
and "We want people to enjoy an entire cake filled with our feelings," the pastry chef says.

The chef trained as a pastry chef under a French chef at a renowned Western confectionery shop in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Deciding to live in a place rich in nature, the chef relocated and opened this shop in Miyoshi in May 2018.

On this day, we spoke with a regular customer.
"They’re like works of art—when you open the box everyone goes ‘wow’. The sweetness is restrained and the flavours are delicate. There’s no other shop like this," they said.

The taste and beauty have built a reputation, attracting visitors who bring coolers from outside the prefecture and many customers from Hiroshima City.
Customer gender is about evenly split between men and women.

The cake selection changes frequently with the seasons and events.

Come by to find your own special cake 😊

*Products and prices are as of the time of publication.*

Patisserie bianco nero
@patisserie_bianco_nero
📍 2-15-14 Tokaichi South, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
📞 0824-53-1315
Hours: 10:00–18:00
*Closed when sold out*
Closed: every Wednesday and the 1st and 3rd Thursdays
Access: about a 3-minute drive from Miyoshi Interchange (Miyoshi IC)
Parking: available
Other:
We recommend reserving the item you want.
Same-day holds are available if ordered that day 😊
Christmas limited cakes will arrive soon!
*Please make reservations and inquiries by phone.*

A World of Light Wrapped in Sparkle ✨

Bihoku Illumi is now taking place at National Bihoku Hillside Park 🎄✨

📍 Bihoku Illumi Basic Information (@bihokupark)
Venue: National Bihoku Hillside Park, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Period: Through Monday, January 12, 2026
Closed days: December 1 (Mon), 8 (Mon), 15 (Mon), 22 (Mon), 31 (Wed),
January 1 (Thu), 5 (Mon)
Lighting hours: November–December: 5:30 PM–9:00 PM (until 10:00 PM on Saturdays)
January: 5:45 PM–9:00 PM
Admission: Adults 450 yen, Seniors (65+) 210 yen, Children (junior high school and under) free
*Discounted rates apply for guests using hotel stay packages (details below)
*Special area Flower Plaza is free to enter
Parking fees: [9:30 AM–1:59 PM] Regular/compact 350 yen, Large 1,200 yen, Two-wheeled 200 yen
[From 2:00 PM to final entry] Regular/compact 1,000 yen, Large 3,000 yen, Two-wheeled 500 yen

✨Highlights and Productions✨
Installation art collective Mirrorballer presents
an enchanting space of light and reflection centered on Flower Plaza.
Main areas:
Flower Plaza: A dreamlike space of sound, lighting, and luminous objects.
Naka no Hiroba: A presentation themed “Gifts of Light,” featuring objects like gift boxes and cakes.
Hibano Sato: A Japanese-style illumination expressing the “Feast of Flowers,” with eye-catching winter cherry blossoms and lantern yagura more impressive than in past years.

📣Stay at a partner hotel in Miyoshi City
and receive a discount for Bihoku Illumi!

Bihoku Illumi Hotel Stay Pack — Partner Hotels
Miyoshi Grand Hotel
TEL: 0824-63-3111
Hotel Alpha-One Miyoshi
TEL: 0824-63-3200
*Same-day front desk sales available

🎫Discount details
Adult admission per person (regular 450 yen → discounted 290 yen)

Pay 290 yen multiplied by the number of adults at the hotel.
You will receive the admission ticket and a parking fee discount voucher (regular 1,000 yen → discounted 800 yen).
*Present the parking fee discount voucher at the park entrance gate to receive the reduced parking rate.

🚌Shuttle Bus
On weekends in November and December,
a direct shuttle bus runs from Miyoshi Station to National Bihoku Hillside Park.

Why not enjoy the nighttime National Bihoku Hillside Park illuminated by glittering illuminations?

A bowl to satisfy both heart and stomach 🍜
Introducing Nagomian, a ramen shop run by an owner who used to be a soba craftsman.
The shop name reflects the wish that visitors will relax and take their time. 😊

The interior displays autographs from Carp players, making this a cozy ramen spot that fans visit.

Most popular with men is the Miso Vegetable Ramen.
Rich miso clings to medium-thick noodles, piled high with vegetables and topped with a large slice of chashu that whets the appetite.

You can also request extra back fat and garlic, creating a powerful bowl that will be empty before you know it. 😋

Popular with women is the dashi-forward Kake Chuka.
The elegant broth, extracted from bonito flakes and kelp, pairs perfectly with thin noodles. ✨
The soup’s aroma and gentle flavor soak through your whole body.

For those wanting a lighter portion, try the Half Chuka.
This classic-style chuka soba features a deeply flavored broth that children also love.

The owner says nothing motivates them more than hearing “That was delicious” and seeing customers return day after day.

“We want our customers to simply enjoy themselves,”
and with that in mind, pay attention to the limited-time menus that appear with the seasons and events.
Be sure to check the shop’s Instagram for new offerings. ✨
@nagomian_miyoshi

Nagomian is a warm shop filled with the owner’s passion—enjoy a thoroughly satisfying bowl. 🍜

Nagomian
@nagomian_miyoshi
Address: 470-5 Minamihatajiki-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–14:30
(Also open 18:00–20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays)
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
TEL: 0824-63-3839
Parking: Available
※Menu items and prices are as of the time of posting
https://www.instagram.com/nagomian_miyoshi/

Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City's top spots for food and shopping!
Blessed with vast land, Shobara offers farm-to-table gourmet delights.

Surrounded by rich nature and marked by big temperature swings, Shobara is a treasure trove of delicious ingredients.
As one of the prefecture's largest agricultural towns, it is home to the nationally acclaimed wagyu brand Hiba Beef 🥩, a specialty unique to Shobara.

From these local ingredients come indulgent and exceptionally tasty treats.
Be sure to try the exclusive specialties you can only taste in Shobara.

For more details, visit the Shobara Tourism Navigation website 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/4014

Today, December 8, is "Rice Day" 🍚✨
Satoyama no Yume, a branded rice from Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, won first place in the "Osaka Residents’ Most Delicious Rice Contest" and is a carefully selected rice with a taste score of 80 or higher.

By creating a branded rice, Satoyama no Yume aims to build an environment where young people can take up farming with hope, contribute to agriculture and regional development, and bring dreams and aspirations to the community. This rice packs the dreams of satoyama farmers. To promote circular agriculture by reusing bamboo that damages farmland, farmers spent years experimenting to achieve this proud flavor. They cut bamboo into powder, ferment it for use as fertilizer, and use oyster shells—Hiroshima Prefecture’s specialty—to replenish soil minerals. These practices contribute not only to great taste but also to building a sustainable society that cares for the environment.

(Rice Day falls on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month.)

1) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm]
New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume
Set of 3 × 1 kg 6,800 yen (shipping and tax included)

Product here 🔽
https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000034?category_page_id=ct45

2) [Shobara Satoyama no Yume Farm]
New crop: Shobara branded rice Satoyama no Yume Premium
Set of 3 × 1 kg 7,500 yen (shipping and tax included)

Product here 🔽
https://ec.satoyamaselect.jp/view/item/000000000005?category_page_id=ct45

Autumn in the Enchanted Forest

The bright red fall foliage of the bald cypress (rakushou) blazes on the surface of Lake Ejio.
The scene feels dreamlike, as if you’ve wandered into a mysterious land.

Photo location: Lake Ejio, Sanyoonoda City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

“Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City’s Finest from Farming Town” Winter Gifts 2025 Start! ✨
Get extra savings by adding our official LINE account as a friend

Details here🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/special/5357

Shop directly from producers to enjoy the flavors of Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Winter Gifts 2025 are now open for orders at Satoyama Shobara SELECT SHOP, our producer-direct online store! ⛄🎁✨

[Order Period] Until Friday, December 26, 2025

This year’s lineup includes fan-favorite products such as the “Hiba Beef Soboro and Shigure-ni Set,” made with 100% Hiba Beef—the legendary branded wagyu of Shobara—easy-to-eat “Shobara Wild Boar Gyoza” with no strong gamey taste, a “Charcoal-Smoked Assortment” that brings out the best of Shobara’s premium ingredients, Aigamo (duck) raised alongside rice in Tojo Town, and Ichiki Town’s “Shikishin Natural Yam,” all perfect companions for the winter season.

Last year’s popular winter selection, the “Bihoku Mon Gift,” returns with a newly prepared New Rice Companion Set and a Sweets Set. We also offer the “Shobara City Branded Rice Set” and the “Shobara 20th Anniversary Commemorative Sake,” among other direct-from-producer gifts filled with producers’ dedication.

These seasonal tastes make wonderful gifts for loved ones and are also perfect as gourmet deliveries to enjoy at home—please try them during this season✨

Plus, everyone who newly adds the Satoyama Shobara SELECT SHOP official LINE account as a friend will receive an exclusive friend-only coupon.

See the link for more details!

Ryosokuji Temple, known as the Maple Temple, is a famous spot for autumn leaves.
About 150 maple trees line the approach from the main gate and throughout the temple grounds, their vivid crimson coloring the temple.

Location of photography: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture Shobara City | New Bakery News 🥖✨
Wakey Wakey Bakery, which just opened on Friday, October 17, 2025, is now featured on the Shobara Tourism Navi website!

See spot details here 🔽
https://www.shobara-info.com/spot/5379

The shop name comes from the English word “Wakey,” meaning wake-up and used like a cheerful call to small children. It reflects the owner Rina Nagai’s personal touch—she studied abroad at a university in the State of California. Her wish is simple: to make bread that people want to eat as soon as they wake up, comforting and part of everyday life.
The breads on offer use Rina’s original recipes, refined with techniques she learned while working at a bakery in the United States to bring out each item’s flavor. The most popular items are two character breads inspired by a Shiba Inu: Shiba-san (custard) and Nikukyuu Punch (chocolate). Inspired by childhood visits to bakeries with her parents, where character breads captured her imagination, she wanted to create breads that excite children.

Basic Information
Phone TEL 080-6068-0187
Address 1-1294-8 Nakahommachi, Shobara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Parking Available 1 space near the shop (No.7)
Closed Monday; Wednesday to Thursday; Saturday to Sunday
Hours Tuesday and Friday 10:00 until sold out

The season of the sea of fog has arrived ✨

When you think of Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the sea of fog comes to mind.
As autumn deepens and mornings and evenings grow colder,
this is the perfect time to see it.

The whole town becomes wrapped in white mist,
and a quiet time passes as if you were above the clouds.

To enjoy the sea of fog, start with the classic Takataneyama.
From the observatory, you can watch the mist slowly drift
and the morning sun gradually breaking through.
One of its charms is how the view changes from day to day.

For a relaxed natural setting, go to Okadayama.
From the mountaintop the mist spreads to the distant peaks,
creating a calm, sea‑like panorama.

At Tomishiyama,
the contrast between the sea of fog and the mountain ridges is striking.
Depending on the day’s weather and light,
it reveals a completely different expression.

The sea of fog is a special sight that appears only on mornings when weather conditions line up.
That’s why the joy of encountering it feels all the more special.

It typically takes about two to four hours for the fog to clear.
The scene as the mist lifts is beautiful as well ♪

On chilly mornings, set your alarm a little earlier and come to Miyoshi.
Why not see the spectacular views the fog creates in Miyoshi?

*The photos are from past visits.*

◼ Takataneyama (Sea of Fog Observatory)
*Images: 1–2*
Address: Awaya‑cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Parking: About 30 spaces

◼ Tomishiyama
*Images: 3–4*
Address: Yasuda, Kisa‑cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Parking: About 100 spaces

◼ Okadayama
*Images: 5–6*
Address: Ueda‑cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Parking: About 5 spaces