Recommended by Okayama residents! 5 sightseeing spots, shops, and accommodations you can visit with your pet

1. Okayama Forest Park German Mori(Akaiwa City)

This theme park, modeled after a German farming village, is dog-friendly and has an agility area with athletic equipment, an area for small dogs, an area for large dogs, and even an area for dog meetups.

[Okayama Forest Park German Mori]

Address: 2006 Nihorinaka , Akaiwa City

TEL: 086-958-2111

Business hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:30-17:00 *From December to February, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are also open 10:00-17:00 *May vary depending on the season

Closed: Wednesdays *Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays from December to February *Open on public holidays, Golden Week, spring break, summer vacation, and New Year's

Admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 1,500 yen, children (ages 4 to elementary school) 1,000 yen, dogs 500 yen, children under 3 years old free

Parking: Available

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●It's so spacious! And you can bring your pets with you. (Female, 50s, office worker)

●There are more dogs than human customers. For some reason, you can take a photo of your dog with an alpaca, which has no connection to Germany. (30s/female/office worker)

●There is a dog run on the spacious grounds. (Woman, 60s, Full-time housewife)

Okayama Forest Park German Mori Official Website

Okayama Forest Park German Forest

2006 Nihorinaka, Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture 701-2435

This is a theme park surrounded by greenery inspired by a German rural village. In the spring, rape blossoms, tulips, and nemophila bloom, in the summer, sunflowers, and in the fall, cosmos bloom against the backdrop of European-style buildings. Inside the park, you can enjoy lawn slides, go-karts, pedal boats, and a 10-meter-high swing. There are also many ways to enjoy the experience, including milking a Jersey cow and interacting with animals such as alpacas, goats, ponies, miniature pigs, and rabbits. This is a spot where you can enjoy authentic German flavors such as homemade sausages, German dogs, stone oven bread, and local beer. There is also one of the largest dog runs in western Japan on the premises, with a total area of ​​approximately 5,000 square meters (about 20 tennis courts), including one agility area for dog exercise, two areas for small dogs, and one area for large dogs. There is one area and one area exclusively for dog meet-ups. All services are free of charge.

2. The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Villa (Tsuyama City)

This hotel is located near Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) and also offers hot springs. It has a dog-friendly floor where you can stay with your beloved dog, and it also has a private elevator and a dog run.

[The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Villa]

Address: 30-1 Sange , Tsuyama City

TEL: 0868-24-2111

Business hours: Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00

Parking: Available

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●There is a dog run in the building that guests can use 24 hours a day. (Woman in her 60s, full-time housewife)

There is a dog-friendly floor where you can stay with your beloved dog, as well as a dedicated elevator and a dedicated dog run. There is also a hot spring, and the food is made with local ingredients and is very delicious. (Female, office worker, 60s)

The Shiroyama Terrace Tsuyama Villa Official Website

3. Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill (Maniwa City)

The facility is home to one of the largest lavender fields in western Japan, a herb garden, a mountain park with a collection of local mountain vegetables and wildflowers, a hydrangea garden with about 3,000 lacecap hydrangeas, a workshop where you can make wreaths, and a shop and restaurant.

[Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill]

Address: 1480-64 Nishikayabe, Hiruzen, Maniwa City

TEL: 0867-66-4533

Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 on weekdays from April to November, 9:00-17:00 on weekends and holidays (may change depending on the season)

Closed: Wednesdays (open on public holidays) *Closed from December to March

Admission fee: 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for junior and senior high school students, free for elementary school students and younger

Parking: Available

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●I visited in mid-June, and the roses were in full bloom and truly beautiful. There was also a dog run, where my dog had a great time running around. My friends who came from the Kanto region also said that the entrance fee was cheap and the gardens were well-maintained, and they were very satisfied with the park. (Woman in her 60s, self-employed)

●It's a wonderful place to visit in any season, but the summer when the lavender is in bloom is especially recommended. You can experience picking lavender. Because it's on a Takaharu, it's cool in the shade, and even on a sunny day, it gets cooler when the wind blows. Dogs are allowed, so there are many customers who bring their dogs. (40s/female/office worker)

Hiruzen Herb Garden Herbill Official Website

Hiruzen Herb Garden herbill

1480-64 Hiruzen Nishikabe, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0604

This facility was built in Nishi-Kayabe, Hiruzen, Maniwa City, overlooking the Hiruzen Sanza, with the aim of interacting with people in the city through plants. The site, which has a total area of 3 hectares, includes one of the largest lavender fields in western Japan, an herb garden full of herb flowers, a mountain park with a collection of local wild plants and wild plants, a hydrangea garden with about 3,000 hydrangeas, and a wreath-making facility. There is a Kaori-no-Yakata with a workshop and a shop/restaurant. Hydrangea: Late June to early July (approximately 3,000 plants) Lavender: Early July to early August (approximately 10,000 plants) Herbs: Mid-May to late November (approximately 200 types) Wreath making experience: About 1 hour Price: From about 1,500 yen

4. Yubara Onsen Himawarikan (Maniwa City)

This is the only day-trip hot spring facility in Shimo-Yubara Onsen, part of the Yubara Onsen Onsen area. In addition to separate outdoor baths for men and women, each with its own natural hot spring water, there are three outdoor baths for pets, and the amount of water can be adjusted freely to suit pet sizes, so pets of all sizes can be accommodated.

[Yubara Onsen Himawarikan]

Location: 24-1 Shimoyubara , Maniwa City

TEL: 0867-62-7080

Opening hours: Hot spring 10:00-21:00 (last admission at 20:30)

Closed: Tuesdays

Bathing fee: Adults (junior high school students and above) 500 yen, children 250 yen, pets (1 hour) 1,570 yen * 780 yen for the second pet and above

Parking: Available

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●The quality of Yubara's hot spring water is rich in beneficial properties for humans as well. Although you can't bring your pets in, there is an open-air bath for humans, and dogs and cats can take a bath in a "pet-only hot spring." You can eat with your pet in the rest area. There is also a nearby inn called Wankoan, where you can stay with your dog. You can't go on a trip without leaving your dog behind, so instead of thinking, "So I'll give up on the trip," it might be a special experience to be able to go on a stay with your dog. (Woman, 60s, Other)

●There is a hot spring just for pets! A hot spring that you can enjoy together! (30s/female/office worker)

Yubara Onsen Himawarikan Official Website

Shimoyubara Onsen Sunflower Museum

24-1 Shimoyubara, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 717-0403

This tourist facility has an open-air bath and a hot spring exclusively for pets (dogs and cats). In addition to our specialty soba, we also manufacture and sell handmade soba noodles made from green soybeans, handmade tofu, and sell fresh vegetables and souvenirs. You can also try making soba noodles.

5. Kasaoka Bay Farm Roadside Station (Kasaoka City)

This roadside station is located within the Kasaoka Bay reclaimed land and is visited by many people from inside and outside the prefecture. The adjacent fields are filled with flowers that bloom throughout the year, providing enjoyment throughout the year. The dog run on the premises is free to use, making it the perfect place for a drive with your beloved dog.

[Kasaoka Kasaoka Farm Roadside Station]

Address: 245-5 Kabuto Minami Town , Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 0865-67-6755

Opening hours: Direct sales store 9:00-18:00

Closed: New Year's

Parking: Available

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This roadside station is located in the Kasaoka Bay reclamation area, famous for its flower fields. It's a great photo spot where you can take photos with beautiful flowers, such as rape canola flower in spring, poppies, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in autumn. You can also take walks, so it's a great place to take your dog on a drive. The squid tempura sold at the roadside station is delicious! (40s/Female/Other)

There is a dog run and a large parking lot. (Female, 20s, office worker)

Kasaoka Bay Farm Roadside Station Official Website

Roadside Station Kasaoka Bay Farm

714-0046 245-5 Kabuto Minamicho, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture

A roadside station located within Kasaoka Bay reclaimed land. In the adjacent area, there are seasonal flower gardens such as sunflowers in summer, cosmos in autumn, and rape blossoms in spring. The store sells locally grown vegetables and fruits, meat (Kasaoka beef), fresh seafood caught in the Seto Inland Sea, sweets, somen noodles, and soft serve ice cream. At the restaurant, you can enjoy gourmet food such as a ``buffet'' featuring Kasaoka's seafood and mountain delicacies.

There's more! Recommended spots to visit with pets by Okayama residents

Hotel Shunka Setouchi Ushimado Resort

Address: 380-8 Ushimado, Ushimado- Ushimado, Ushimado Town Setouchi City

TEL: 0869-34-6112

Business hours: Check-in 15:00, check-out 10:00

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●This hotel is located on a hill surrounded by olive groves and opened in March 2023. It has a large dog run and the restaurant offers a buffet just for dogs. The view from the "Sea, Island and Sky Terrace" in the guest room building is spectacular! (Female, 50s, office worker)

Hotel Shunka Setouchi Ushimado Resort Official Website

DOG RUN KAI

Address: 1045 Oyabu, Tamano City(inside Sea Ray Park)

TEL: 0863-33-3919

Business hours: 11:00-18:00

Closed: Tuesdays

Voices of the prefecture's residents

●It's a spacious dog run facility located along the coastline. It has artificial turf and is open but has a roof, making it a very friendly facility for both dogs and owners, even on rainy or sunny days. There's also a stylish cafe with a view of the ocean, making it a wonderful place you can use with your beloved dog. (Male, 50s, self-employed)

DOG RUN KAI official website

Yunohana Garden at Yunogo Onsen

Address: 311-6 Yunogo , Mimasaka City

TEL: 0868-73-3380 (Farm Cafe Yunogo)

Business hours: 10:00-17:00

Closed: Wednesdays

Voices of the prefecture's residents

● Located in Yunogo Onsen Town, one of the Mimasaka Three Yunogo Onsen , this is a spot where you can relax and enjoy a light meal surrounded by flowers. It is run by Mimasaka Farm, where you can Grape Picking , and the sweets made with homemade fruit are delicious. Small dogs under 12 kg are allowed in! There is also a designated area for dogs to play. (40s/Female/Other)

Yunogo Onsen Yunohana Garden Official Website