Hyogo Prefectural Tajima Ranch Park is a public recreational park located in Tando, Shinonsen Town, Hyogo Prefecture. Spanning a mountainous area at elevations of approximately 350 to 600 meters, the park offers a wide range of activities in a beautiful natural setting. Visitors can enjoy seasonal sports, meet farm animals, admire panoramic views, and learn about the region’s agricultural heritage.
During winter, the park operates a ski area where visitors can enjoy skiing amid the surrounding highland scenery. In summer, an artificial-grass slope provides an opportunity for sledding, offering outdoor fun even when there is no snow.
The park also has three tennis courts equipped with lighting for evening play, making it possible to enjoy a game after sunset.
The park’s pastures and animal areas are home to a variety of animals, including Tajima cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and wallabies. These encounters offer families and animal lovers an enjoyable way to experience rural life.
From July through November, Tajima cattle are grazed outdoors on Mount Atago during both the day and night. Visitors may have the opportunity to observe these cattle in a spacious natural environment. At the animal interaction area, guests can also meet sheep and goats at close range.
At the top of the highland area, approximately 600 meters above sea level, a panoramic observatory provides sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. On clear days, visitors can look across the mountain ranges of Tajima toward the distant Sea of Japan.
A flower garden covering approximately 6,000 square meters spreads out below the viewpoint, adding seasonal color to the scenery. Telescopes are also available for visitors who wish to observe distant features in greater detail.
The Visitor House serves as the park’s general information center and offers facilities for food-processing activities using local agricultural products. Visitors can take part in a variety of hands-on experiences, including making soba noodles, preparing udon, making sausages, preparing seared beef, pounding rice cakes, and creating original parfaits.
These activities provide an enjoyable introduction to the region’s food culture, allowing visitors to prepare and taste products made from local ingredients.
The Tajima Cattle Museum introduces the history and characteristics of Tajima cattle, a famous Japanese cattle breed known for its role in producing some of the country’s best-known premium beef. Tajima cattle are the foundation stock behind celebrated brands such as Kobe beef, Sanda beef, Matsusaka beef, and Omi beef.
Exhibits explain the breed’s origins, distinctive qualities, and traditional rearing methods. The museum offers valuable insight into the care and breeding practices that have helped establish Tajima cattle as an important part of Japan’s agricultural heritage.
Located at the foot of the ski area, Makiba no Yado is an accommodation facility with capacity for up to 43 guests. It operates throughout the year and offers visitors a chance to stay overnight surrounded by the natural beauty of the highlands.
Staying at the park makes it easier to enjoy its outdoor activities and explore the surrounding countryside at a leisurely pace.
One of the park’s main annual events is the Tajima Beef Festival, traditionally held on the fourth Sunday of September. The festival celebrates the region’s renowned Tajima beef with local dishes and a variety of activities.
Winter brings seasonal events such as a snow festival, adding to the park’s appeal during the colder months. These events provide opportunities to experience local food, community traditions, and the changing character of the highland landscape throughout the year.
From JR Tottori Station on the San-in Main Line, take the Zentan Bus or Nihon Kotsu’s Yumeguri Express service bound for Yumura Onsen. At the final stop, Yumura Onsen, transfer to the town bus on the Teragi circular route and get off at the Tando bus stop. The park is approximately a 15-minute walk from there.
Local town bus services also operate from Hamazaka and Yoka stations. Travelers should check current timetables before setting out, as bus connections and schedules may vary.
The area around Tajima Ranch Park offers many other attractions for visitors who wish to explore the natural and cultural heritage of northern Hyogo Prefecture. Nearby destinations include Yumura Onsen, a well-known hot spring resort; Torokawa-daira and Mount Torokawa, which offer scenic highland landscapes; Tajima Kogen Botanical Garden; and Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Wood, a museum devoted to wood and the relationship between forests, materials, and human creativity.
Shinonsen Town, located in Mikata District, is known for its rich natural environment and hot spring culture. Combining a visit to the ranch park with a trip to the surrounding hot springs, mountains, and cultural attractions makes for a rewarding excursion in the Tajima region.
With its animal encounters, panoramic viewpoints, hands-on food activities, and seasonal events, Hyogo Prefectural Tajima Ranch Park offers something to enjoy throughout the year. It is an inviting destination for families, nature enthusiasts, and travelers interested in the agricultural traditions and landscapes of rural Japan.