Hello viewers of Cool Japan Video, nice to meet you! We are the Miyoshi Tourism Promotion Organization. Miyoshi City, located in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, sits where the San'in and Sanyo regions meet. This verdant, hilly area blends nature with a rich history and culture. Surrounded by the Chugoku Mountains and blessed with abundant forests, clear streams and the Gono River, Miyoshi long prospered as a hub of travel and exchange. As a destination, it offers a wide range of attractions: ancient myths and yokai folklore, traditional performing arts, local specialties like wine and cheese, and spectacular scenic spots. In Miyoshi, where nature, history, contemporary art, local ingredients and everyday life harmonize, you can enjoy a relaxed getaway away from the city bustle. Access to Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City lies about 90 km north of Hiroshima city, roughly a 1 hour 30 minute drive, making it easily accessible. You can reach the city via the Chugoku Expressway at Miyoshi Interchange or Miyoshi-Higashi Interchange, and Hiroshima Airport is about an hour away by car. By train, JR Geibi Line’s Miyoshi Station serves as the gateway. Some direct trains run from hiroshima station, offering scenic views along the journey. Highway buses also operate frequently from Hiroshima Station and Hiroshima Bus Center. Within Miyoshi, rental cars and local buses make getting around to attractions smooth and convenient. About Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City sits in northern Hiroshima Prefecture, bordering Shimane Prefecture. This basin is ringed by mountains, with the Gono River, Basen River and Saijo River flowing through the city. As of April 2025, the population is about 47,000. Formed in 2004 through the merger of eight neighboring municipalities, Miyoshi covers one of the largest areas in Hiroshima Prefecture. Agriculture and forestry thrive here, and recent efforts have focused on tourism that leverages local resources, including wineries and direct sales markets that highlight community-based facilities. History of Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi’s history stretches back to the age of myth, and the area appears in Izumo mythology. The region preserves many kagura performances and legends. In the Sengoku period the Miyoshi Clan built Hieioyama Castle (later moving their seat to Higumayama Castle), and the town developed around the castle. During the Edo period it prospered as a post town on the Iwami Ginzan Kaido and as a transport hub for riverboats on the Gono River, becoming an important center of commerce and transportation. Popular sightseeing spots in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture • Miyoshi Mononoke Museum (Yumoto Goichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum) This nationally acclaimed yokai museum houses the collection of leading yokai researcher Yumoto Goichi. Visitors can learn about yokai culture from the Edo period to the present, and enjoy AR and multimedia exhibits designed 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. The facility includes factory tours, a restaurant, a cafe and a direct-sales shop for local products, making it popular with families and couples. Each Golden Week the Miyoshi Wine Festival draws many visitors from inside and outside the prefecture. Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery’s wines win awards at various international competitions each year. • Okuda Genso Sayume Art Museum This museum exhibits works by nihonga painter Genso Okuda and doll artist Sayume Okuda. Genso Okuda and Sayume Okuda are the first married couple in Japan to receive the Order of Culture. The building itself is an artwork, making it a must-see for art lovers. • Josei Falls Located in Sakugi Town, Miyoshi City, this beautiful three-tiered waterfall drops 126 meters. Surrounded by seasonal nature, it offers fresh green views in spring, cool relief in summer, autumn foliage and winter icefalls—making it a scenic spot to enjoy year-round. Selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls, it provides a restorative experience for visitors. • Mt. Takatani (Sea of Clouds Observatory) This 490-meter lookout offers a panoramic view of the iconic “Sea of Clouds” over Miyoshi. From October to December in early mornings with strong temperature differences, a magical sea of clouds appears that feels otherworldly. The sunrise and mist create scenes beloved by photographers. Roadside stations in Miyoshi City Miyoshi is home to the popular Roadside Station Yumeland Funo, a relaxing stop for visitors. Yume Land Funo sells fresh local vegetables, fruits and processed goods, and its eateries serve local dishes made from seasonal ingredients. Hot springs in Miyoshi City Miyoshi features Kimita Onsen Mori no Izumi. This bicarbonate spring is famous as a “beauty hot spring” that leaves skin smooth. As a large facility offering lodging, dining and shopping, it attracts many tourists. Traditional culture and crafts of Miyoshi City • Kagura Kagura stands as a symbol of Miyoshi’s traditional culture. This ancient performing art persists in regional variations of programs, costumes and staging, and it plays an essential role in local festivals and events. • Miyoshi Ukai Miyoshi Ukai (cormorant fishing) boasts more than 450 years of history and tradition, and it is one of only 11 places in Japan where you can still experience it. Designated as a Hiroshima Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a recipient of the Hiroshima Prefecture Educational Encouragement Award, Miyoshi Ukai is distinguished by its unique fishing method in which the cormorant boats run alongside pleasure boats. On summer nights, boarding a pleasure boat to watch ukai up close offers an immersive experience that feels like stepping back in time. Bonfires flickering on the river at dusk create a magical atmosphere and unforgettable moments. Local specialties and gourmet foods of Miyoshi City Miyoshi’s food culture makes the most of its rich natural resources. The signature product is Miyoshi wine. High-quality wines produced in the city—red, white and rosé—offer a wide variety and receive high praise in domestic and international competitions. Also famous are ayu dishes made from ayu caught in the Gono River. You can enjoy grilled ayu, sweet-simmered ayu and ayu-flavored soy sauce. A variety of processed goods made from local ingredients are also available, making excellent souvenirs. Events and festivals in Miyoshi City Miyoshi hosts a year-round calendar of vibrant local events and festivals. • Miyoshi Kinsai Festival This major summer event is organized by Miyoshi residents and features parades, taiko drumming, food stalls and bon odori dancing that enliven the city streets. • Miyoshi Wine Festival Held on the lawn at Hiroshima Miyoshi Winery, this festival features tastings, live music and local gourmet stalls, making it a must for wine lovers. Tourist information for Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture From a unique museum exploring yokai culture to cuisine shaped by nature, seasonal scenic spots and community-rooted traditional events, Miyoshi offers many discoveries—some still little known—that reward repeat visits. Cool Japan Video will share information ranging from hidden gems to popular attractions to help you enjoy tourism in Miyoshi. Please follow us.