Hiruzen Highland Drive One Day Course

Hiruzen Highland spreads across an altitude of around five hundred meters. Known as one of western Japan's leading areas for Jersey cattle, this one day driving course tours the pastoral scenery where the cattle graze at ease.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Hiruzen Highland Center Gather information at the gateway to the highland and enjoy the view of the three Hiruzen peaks from the Ferris wheel attached to the amusement area. Plan your drive here.

11:00 Jersey Land Watch the Jersey cattle grazing at the ranch while tasting rich soft serve and cheese. The dairy has a richness you can only enjoy here.

12:30 Lunch at a highland restaurant Fill up on the local Hiruzen fried noodles and dishes made with local vegetables. The noodles with sweet and savory miso sauce are a signature local dish of Hiruzen.

14:00 Ride the cycling road Ride a rental bicycle along the cycling path that crosses the highland and feel the wind and greenery. Cycling with a view of the three Hiruzen peaks is exhilarating.

15:30 Souvenirs at the roadside station Buy highland dairy products and Jersey cattle goods to round off the driving course. Sweets made with Jersey milk are a popular souvenir.

Highlights

The main attraction is the grand scenery formed by gentle grasslands and the three Hiruzen peaks. Grazing Jersey cattle and seasonal flowers add to the peaceful highland feel. The fresh greenery of spring and summer and the fields of pampas grass in autumn give each season a different face.

Access and Tips

Right off the Hiruzen interchange on the Yonago Expressway. Since the sights are spread widely, traveling by car is convenient. The altitude is high and mornings and evenings are cool, so a jacket is reassuring even in summer.

A Quick Tip

The richness of the highland dairy can only be tasted here. It is recommended to compare the soft serve and cheeses to find your favorite.

Practical Travel Notes

• Hiruzen Highland sits at an altitude of around five hundred meters, and the nearest exit is the Hiruzen Interchange on the Yonago Expressway, reached via the Ochiai Junction on the Chugoku Expressway.
• Because the sights are spread over a wide area, driving is the basic way to get around. Public transport runs infrequently, so touring by rental car or private car is recommended.
• The highland is at high elevation and mornings and evenings can feel chilly even in midsummer. Bringing an extra layer helps you stay comfortable.
• Facilities such as Jersey Land, the Highland Center, and roadside stations each keep different hours and days off, and services may change in winter. Checking official information before your visit is recommended.
• In winter this is an area prone to snow and icy roads. If you drive in winter, snow tires or chains and other snow measures are essential.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Assumptions for this course (time required and how to get around)

• The highlights are scattered over a wide area, so getting around by car is the norm. Public transport services are infrequent.
• The Hiruzen Highland Cycling Road is about 30 km long and makes a full loop of the highlands. Riding the whole circuit takes half a day, so it is more realistic to pick a section to suit the time you have.

Opening hours and closing days of each facility

• Hiruzen Kogen Center (shopping and restaurants): 9:00-17:30 during the main season (26 March to 25 November) and 9:00-16:30 during the winter season (26 November to 25 March).
• Joyful Park (amusement park): 10:00-17:00 during the main season and 11:00-15:00 during the winter season. Opening hours change during Golden Week and the summer holidays. The park may close during the winter season, so checking the opening calendar is essential.
• Hiruzen Jersey Land: 9:30-16:30 from late March to November (hours may be extended at weekends and on consecutive holidays) and 10:00-16:00 from December to mid-March. It is closed on 1 January and every Tuesday and Wednesday in January and February. It is open every day from March to December.
• The Hiruzen Tourism Association's GREENable HIRUZEN tourist information office: 9:00-17:00, closed on Wednesdays (the following weekday when Wednesday is a public holiday).

Guide to prices

• Joyful Park admission: adults (junior high school students and above) 800 yen in the regular season and 1,000 yen in the high season; children (from age 3 to elementary school students) and seniors (aged 65 and over) 600 yen in the regular season and 800 yen in the high season. Dogs are 500 yen.
• The free pass (including admission) costs 4,000 yen for adults and 3,500 yen for children and seniors. During the winter season (26 November to 25 March) admission is free, so free passes are not sold.
• The attractions are charged per ride, and the Hiruzen Tower costs 800 yen.
• Guide to bicycle rental prices: Kyukamura Hiruzen Kogen from 350 yen per hour, WOOD PAO from 210 yen per hour, Hiruzen Kogen Cycling Terminal (Kaiyukan) from 200 yen per hour, Hiruzen Cycling Service from 500 yen per hour, and the GREENable HIRUZEN Cycling Center from 2,400 yen for 3 hours.

Access

• The nearest exit is the Hiruzen interchange on the Yonago Expressway. It can be reached via the Ochiai junction on the Chugoku Expressway.
• Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park are located at 1205-197 Hiruzen Kamifukuda, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture, and Hiruzen Jersey Land is at 956-222 Hiruzen Nakafukuda, Maniwa City.

Parking

• Hiruzen Kogen Center, Hiruzen Jersey Land and the roadside stations all have car parks. They get busy during the summer holidays and on consecutive holidays, so allow plenty of time.

What needs to be booked

• Among the bicycle rental outlets, Hiruzen Cycling Service requires a reservation. The other facilities also have limited numbers of bicycles, so it is reassuring to enquire in advance during busy periods.
• Bicycle rental at Michi-no-Eki Hiruzen Kogen roadside station (Hotel Hiruzen Hills) is currently suspended (as of July 2026).
• The restaurants inside Joyful Park accept group reservations. The Maniwa Play Classroom (ice cream making, glass crafts, pizza making and more) charges different prices for each activity.

Points to note and safety notes

• The Hiruzen Highland Cycling Road is difficult to ride in winter (December to March) because of snow. If cycling is your aim, visit between spring and autumn.
• This is an area where snow and icy roads are highly likely in winter. Preparations for snowy roads, such as studless tyres or chains, are essential.
• The altitude is high and mornings and evenings are chilly even in midsummer. Bringing an extra layer to put on will keep you comfortable.
• The attractions at Joyful Park have height and age restrictions. As a rule, children below elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian on the ride.

Note: The details given here are subject to change. Please check the latest information on the official websites before you set out.

(Sources: official website of Hiruzen Kogen Center and Joyful Park / official website of Hiruzen Jersey Land / Maniwa Kanko WEB (Maniwa Tourism Bureau) / as of July 2026)