A Family Day Out by Car: Fun at National Bihoku Hillside Park

This is a full-day driving itinerary for families. In the morning, tour the wine factory and enjoy lunch at Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery in Miyoshi City. In the afternoon, head to National Bihoku Hillside Park in Shobara City to enjoy large-scale playground equipment, traditional satoyama rural experiences, and seasonal flowers.

History & Local Charm

Miyoshi is known as a grape-producing region, particularly for Pione grapes. Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery is a sightseeing winery that opened in Miyoshi in 1994 (Heisei 6). Making the most of the climate and natural features of the Miyoshi Basin, it aims to craft wine that represents the local area.

Located in neighboring Shobara City, National Bihoku Hillside Park is the only national government park in the Chugoku region. Built on the shores of Kunikane Pond and the surrounding hills covered in Japanese red pine forests, it spans an area of approximately 340 hectares. A portion of the park opened in 1995 (Heisei 7), and after gradual expansions, the entire park officially opened in 2012 (Heisei 24). Utilizing the natural hilly terrain, the park offers diverse ways for both children and adults to enjoy their time—from rural village scenery recreating traditional farm life to seasonal flowers and expansive lawn plazas.

Major Highlights

• ​Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery​​: Visitors can freely tour the winery observation area and the underground cellar lined with wooden barrels. Parents and children can closely observe the process of how grapes are turned into wine. At Café Vine, soft-serve ice cream made with Pione grape juice is popular.
• ​Playground Equipment on the Great Lawn​​: The Great Lawn at National Bihoku Hillside Park spans approximately 8 hectares and features an outdoor stage, barbecue area, and numerous play facilities. These include the massive "Kyu no Oka" play structure, the "Chibikko Gelande" artificial turf slide, and a forest obstacle course. Another large play structure, "Kyu no Mori," is located in the Tsudoi no Sato area.
• ​Hiba no Sato and Seasonal Flowers​​: Hiba no Sato is an area that recreates the traditional rural landscape of the Bihoku region with historical residences, farmhouses, and fields. Various hands-on seasonal workshops are held here, such as soba noodle making, straw craft making, and konjac making. In the Flower Plaza, a succession of blossoms can be enjoyed across the seasons, including spring daffodils and tulips, and autumn cosmos.

Recommended Route & Travel Time

The recommended duration is about 6 hours. In the morning, visit Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery, which is about a 6-minute drive from JR Miyoshi Station. After touring the factory and the underground cellar, having lunch at the adjacent barbecue garden to savor Hiroshima beef or jingisukan (grilled mutton) is a great choice. Drivers should refrain from wine tasting and enjoy the flavors of Miyoshi through treats such as the Pione soft-serve ice cream.

In the afternoon, head to National Bihoku Hillside Park, located about 14 kilometers straight northeast from the winery. Reaching the park's Central Entrance takes about 15 minutes by car from the Miyoshi-Higashi IC on the Chugoku Odan Expressway. Coming from the Shobara IC on the Chugoku Expressway, it takes about 5 minutes to the North Entrance and about 10 minutes to the Central Entrance.

Because the grounds are vast, deciding which areas you want to see beforehand allows for a smooth visit. Head to the Great Lawn and Tsudoi no Sato to be active on the playground equipment, or go to Hiba no Sato to experience traditional rural life. Even on rainy days, "Waiwai Land" on the second floor of "Satoyama no Eki Shobara Furari" near the North Entrance offers indoor play equipment for children, including balance balls and panda-themed inflatable play structures. Since the available workshops at Hiba no Sato and the best times for flower viewing change depending on the season and year, it is recommended to check the park guide before departing.

Summary of the Experience

Peek behind the scenes of wine making at a winery in grape country, taking a break with a Pione soft-serve ice cream. In the afternoon, explore the Chugoku region's only national government park, from expansive playgrounds and traditional satoyama rural life to vibrant seasonal blooms. Spend a fulfilling full day playing together as a family across the rolling hills of Miyoshi and Shobara.