Dragon Maze, located in Daito Town, Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, is one of the largest experiential leisure attractions in the San’in region. Set within the nature-filled Kokoro no Eki Hidamari no Oka theme park, the attraction combines a giant maze, athletic challenges, seasonal flowers, barbecue facilities, and many other activities that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
As soon as you enter the maze, you feel as though you have stepped into an adventure world. The maze extends for approximately 1 kilometer, offering the excitement of finding your way through a complicated route and the satisfaction of finally reaching the goal. Because the routes and challenges are changed every year, even repeat visitors can enjoy a fresh experience each time.
The main attraction at Dragon Maze is its enormous maze built across a spacious natural setting. Surrounded by mountains and peaceful countryside, the maze suddenly appears in the landscape with an impressive scale. The site covers approximately 7,600 square meters and contains a wide variety of surprises and challenges.
This is much more than simply following paths and searching for the exit. Along the way, you may encounter a swaying suspension bridge, a mysterious house that challenges your sense of balance, thrilling spaces reminiscent of a haunted house, and hidden doors that lead to unexpected discoveries.
The maze also uses a stamp rally system. Colorful towers are scattered throughout the course, and visitors search for them while making their way through the maze. Collect all the stamps and reach the goal to complete the challenge. Working together with family and friends makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Dragon Maze offers four different courses, each with its own level of difficulty and theme. From a course suitable for young children to challenging routes for experienced adventurers, visitors can choose an experience that matches their age and energy level.
The Standard Course is a good choice for first-time visitors. Participants make their way through the maze while searching for four stamp towers in red, blue, green, and purple.
The course takes approximately 40 minutes. A time recorder allows participants to measure their completion time, and visitors who finish within 30 minutes can receive a discount coupon for their next visit.
Although the course is accessible to beginners, it can take longer than expected if you lose your way. Deciding which direction to take together is part of the fun, especially for families with children.
The Orochi Course is inspired by the famous Shimane legend of Yamata-no-Orochi, the eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent defeated by the deity Susanoo.
Visitors collect letters while searching for seven stamp towers and gradually complete a hidden word. Along the way are atmospheric attractions such as Ama-no-Iwato and Fu-un Orochi Castle, where light and shadow are used to recreate the world of Japanese mythology.
One of the highlights is a shadow-play presentation depicting the story of Susanoo and his battle with Yamata-no-Orochi, allowing visitors to experience one of Japan’s best-known myths in an entertaining way.
For visitors looking for a more active challenge, the Super Course adds even more demanding sections to the Orochi Course. Highlights include areas such as Orochi’s Shed Skin and Hell Valley, making this a course for those who want a more intense adventure.
The excitement reaches its peak when you finally arrive at the goal, where a giant Orochi awaits. There are also areas where children can stop and freely draw pictures, adding a creative element to the adventure.
The Treasure Island Course is particularly popular with families traveling with younger children. Visitors collect stamps at buildings inside the maze while making their way toward the treasure island.
The course includes activities such as a Tarzan rope and a driftwood crossing. Inside a cave is a secret-base-like space where children can let their imaginations run wild and enjoy the feeling of being explorers on a great adventure.
There is much more to Dragon Maze than the maze itself. One of the most popular attractions is the Ninja House, an interactive attraction where visitors can experience activities inspired by traditional ninja training.
Challenges include climbing ladders, experiencing a training area inspired by mountain ascetic practices, and exploring a mysterious space based on the legendary world of the afterlife. Visitors can even try defeating Orochi with shuriken throwing.
After completing the challenges, participants can receive a special “Ninja Mastery” certificate, making the experience particularly memorable for children while also providing plenty of fun for adults.
Chibimaru Keirin is a popular racing attraction using pedal-free kick bikes. Riders propel themselves forward by pushing against the ground with their feet, making it accessible to younger children as well. Both short and long courses are available depending on age and stamina.
Grand Golf Park Tanuki-bayashi features a full 16-hole course surrounded by nature. The spacious outdoor setting is ideal for a relaxed game, and grand golf can be enjoyed by people of many different ages, making it a good activity for families traveling together.
Chibikko Car Land is a small vehicle area designed for young children. The park also has shooting games and nostalgic play areas, creating a charming atmosphere reminiscent of entertainment from Japan’s Showa era.
The natural beauty of Kokoro no Eki Hidamari no Oka is another major attraction. The grounds contain an extensive camellia garden with approximately 800 varieties and 2,000 camellia trees, making it one of the notable camellia collections in western Japan.
In spring, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms and flowering peach trees. Early summer brings Japanese irises and hydrangeas, followed by lotus flowers and sunflowers in summer. In autumn, red spider lilies and colorful foliage transform the landscape once again.
One of the most popular seasonal attractions is the Sunflower Maze, held in summer. Walking through paths surrounded by countless blooming sunflowers creates a memorable experience, particularly for families enjoying their summer holidays.
The park also has large barbecue facilities where families and groups can enjoy an outdoor meal. The Tenshukaku, located on a hill overlooking the maze, can accommodate approximately 30 to 50 people and offers views over the surrounding attractions.
Other distinctive facilities include the Ryujin Yashiki, which features a traditional irori hearth; Chikutei Hyakumangoku, surrounded by filtered sunlight; and Jomon Yado, designed with a cave-like atmosphere.
Visitors can also enjoy flowing somen noodles, while the large Manten Shogekijo provides space for group meals, parties, and events.
For those who want to slow down after enjoying the active attractions, the park has eight designated healing spots that can be explored as part of a stamp rally.
At the Goen-musubi no Ba, visitors can write wishes on small strips of paper and tie them up. At the Chinowa, a traditional sacred ring made from reeds, visitors can participate in a purification custom associated with health and protection. At Fukuro Shrine, visitors can make wishes for happiness.
There are also quizzes and fortune-drawing activities. Visitors who receive the best fortune may be given a special “Wish Stone” amulet, adding another playful element to the experience.
One of the greatest attractions of Dragon Maze is that its courses and gimmicks are renewed every year. Even visitors who have completed the maze before can return to discover new routes, challenges, and surprises.
Many of the attractions incorporate handmade ideas created by the park’s owner and director, known affectionately as “Taa-chan.” This personal touch gives Dragon Maze a warm and welcoming character that feels different from a large commercial theme park.
Its combination of adventure, nature, family activities, seasonal scenery, and friendly atmosphere makes Dragon Maze an enjoyable destination for visitors of many ages.
By car, Dragon Maze is approximately 5 minutes from Mitoya-Kisuki Interchange via Prefectural Route 25. It is also about a 10-minute walk from Minami-Daito Station on the JR Kisuki Line.
Dragon Maze offers far more than a giant maze. Visitors can challenge themselves on adventurous courses, experience Japanese mythology through the Orochi-themed attractions, try ninja activities, enjoy seasonal flowers, share a barbecue, or simply relax surrounded by the mountains of Unnan.
With its constantly changing attractions and welcoming atmosphere, this unique destination offers something different from conventional theme parks. For families and friends looking for an active and memorable experience in Shimane, Dragon Maze is a place where adventure, nature, laughter, and relaxation come together.