Hello to everyone watching Cool Japan Video — nice to meet you! We are the Miyoshi City Tourism Promotion Organization. Miyoshi City, located in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, sits at the meeting point of the San'in and Sanyo regions. This nature-rich, montane area is a town where history and culture thrive. Surrounded by the Chūgoku Mountains and blessed with abundant forests, clear streams, and the Gonokawa River, Miyoshi has long prospered as a hub of travel and exchange. As a tourist destination, it offers a variety of attractions: ancient myths and yokai folklore, traditional performing arts, local specialties such as wine and cheese, and spectacular scenic spots. In Miyoshi, where nature and history blend with contemporary art, local ingredients, and everyday life, you can enjoy a relaxed trip away from the bustle of the city. ◆Access to Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City in Hiroshima Prefecture lies about 90 km north of Hiroshima city, roughly a 1 hour 30 minute drive, making it conveniently accessible. You can reach the area via the Chugoku Expressway at Miyoshi Interchange or Miyoshi-Higashi Interchange, and it is also about a one-hour drive from Hiroshima Airport. By train, JR Geibi Line’s Miyoshi Station serves as the gateway. Direct trains run from Hiroshima Station, and the scenic views from the window make the journey popular. Express buses also run frequently from Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Bus Center, offering a convenient option. Within Miyoshi City, rental cars and local buses are well organized, making it easy to get around to tourist sites. ◆About Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City lies in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, bordering Shimane Prefecture. The city occupies a basin surrounded by mountains, with the Gonokawa River, Basen River, and Saijo River flowing through it. As of April 2025, the population is about 47,000. The modern city was formed in 2004 through a merger of eight surrounding municipalities, and it ranks among the largest municipalities by area in Hiroshima Prefecture. Agriculture and forestry remain important industries, and in recent years the city has promoted tourism that leverages local resources, with wineries and direct-sales markets and other community-focused facilities flourishing. ◆History of Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi’s history is ancient, appearing in mythic eras. The area is associated with Izumo mythology and preserves many kagura performances and legends. During the Sengoku period, Hieioyama Castle, once the stronghold of the Miyoshi Clan (later moved to Bikuma Castle), was built and the town developed as a castle town. In the Edo period, Miyoshi prospered as a post town on the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Road and became an important river-transport relay on the Gonokawa River, thriving as a center of commerce and transportation. ◆Popular sightseeing spots in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture ・Miyoshi Mononoke Museum (Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum) This nationally renowned yokai museum in Miyoshi houses the collection of leading yokai scholar Yumoto Goichi. Exhibits cover yokai culture from the Edo period to the present, and AR and video displays make the museum enjoyable for both children and adults. Special exhibitions and workshops are held regularly. ・Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery This complex offers wine production, sales, and tastings using locally grown grapes. It features one of western Japan’s largest wine cellars and a wine bar counter. In addition to factory tours, the facility includes a restaurant, cafe, and a direct-sales shop selling local products, making it popular with families and couples. Each year during Golden Week the Miyoshi Wine Festival draws many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture. Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery’s wines earn awards at various international competitions each year. ・Okuda Genso Sayume Art Museum This museum exhibits works by Japanese painter Genso Okuda and doll artist Sayume Okuda, a married couple who were the first spouses to receive the Cultural Merit Award in Japan. The building itself is an artwork, making it a must-see for art lovers. ・Josei Falls Located in Sakugi-cho, Miyoshi City, Josei Falls is a beautiful three-tier waterfall with a drop of 126 meters. Surrounded by seasonal nature, you can enjoy fresh green in spring, cool relief in summer, autumn colors, and frozen cascades in winter—an all-season scenic spot. Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, it offers a cleansing, restorative experience just by visiting. ・Mt. Takatani (Sea of Clouds Observatory) This 490-meter lookout offers a panoramic view of Miyoshi’s iconic “sea of clouds.” From October to December on clear early mornings with sharp temperature differences, a mystical sea of clouds appears, transporting you to another world. The sunrise and mist together create scenes beloved by photographers. ◆Roadside stations in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi hosts the popular Roadside Station Yumeland Funo, a favorite rest spot for visitors. Yumeland Funo sells fresh local vegetables, fruits, and processed goods, and its dining facilities serve local dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. ◆Hot springs in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi is home to Kimita Onsen Mori no Izumi. This bicarb-onsen is famous as a “beauty bath” that leaves skin smooth. As a large facility offering lodging, dining, and shopping, it attracts many visitors. ◆Traditional culture and crafts of Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture ・Kagura Kagura represents a symbol of Miyoshi’s traditional culture. This performing art, passed down since ancient times, features different programs, costumes, and staging across communities and plays an indispensable role in local festivals and events. ・Cormorant Fishing in Miyoshi Cormorant fishing in Miyoshi has a history and tradition spanning more than 450 years and is a rare cultural practice available at only about 11 locations nationwide. Designated as a Hiroshima Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property and honored with the Hiroshima Prefectural Education Encouragement Award, Miyoshi’s cormorant fishing is notable for its unique method in which cormorant boats and pleasure boats run side by side. On summer nights, boarding a pleasure boat to watch cormorant fishing up close creates an otherworldly experience as if traveling back in time. The torches flickering on the river at dusk add a magical atmosphere, leaving you with unforgettable memories. ◆Local specialties and gourmet foods of Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi’s food culture draws on the region’s abundant natural resources. A flagship product is Miyoshi wine. High-quality wines produced at local wineries come in red, white, and rosé varieties and have earned high praise at domestic and international competitions. Another specialty is ayu dishes made from the Gonokawa River’s sweetfish. You can enjoy freshly caught ayu grilled with salt, simmered in sweet soy, or as ayu-flavored soy sauce. Many processed products using local ingredients make excellent souvenirs. ◆Events and festivals in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi hosts colorful local events and festivals throughout the year. ・Miyoshi Kinsai Festival This major summer event, organized by Miyoshi residents, fills the streets with parades, taiko drumming, food stalls, and bon-odori dancing. ・Miyoshi Wine Festival Held on the lawn area of Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery, the Wine Festival features tastings, live music, and local gourmet stalls, making it a must for wine lovers. ◆Tourist information for Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture With a unique museum dedicated to yokai culture, gourmet offerings born from nature’s bounty, seasonal scenic spots, and community-rooted traditional events, Miyoshi still holds many little-known gems where repeated visits reveal new discoveries. Cool Japan Video will share information ranging from these hidden spots to popular attractions so you can enjoy sightseeing in Miyoshi City. Please follow us.