How about enjoying some light hiking while admiring multicolored azaleas at Yatakayama Park near the westernmost tip of Okayama prefecture?

At 654m above sea level, Mt. Yatakayama is as round as a soup-bowl, and from the mountainside parking area you can easily climb to the top.

A perfect spot for enjoying the great outdoors, there is a camping area as well as bungalows available within the park.
Come mid-May, the whole mountain is covered in azalea flowers, and it’s a popular spot for hiking.

There are numerous mountain trails, so you can enjoy the climb while looking at the beautiful azalea flowers.

In addition to a slightly steep staircase course, there is also a spiral road around the mountain that allows you to climb up gently.
The walking distance is longer, but the slope is gentler, so even those who aren’t too confident about their stamina will be okay!

Via the slope, you can see the azalea flowers close-up, and you’ll receive some healing from them as you proceed.

I’ve finally reached the mountaintop! Depending on the course you choose, it takes between 15 and 30 minutes to get to the top.
On the mountaintop there is a round lawn area.

And this is the view!
The blue sky, the land with new green, and azaleas on the mountainside – Truly the three colors of spring!

This really is the best place for enjoying your packed lunch~!

From the top of Mt. Yatakayama you have a 360-degree panoramic view.
While at the beginning of summer it’s hydrangeas, and from fall to winter it’s a sea of clouds, in spring, the mountainside is covered with 100 thousand azalea flowers!

How about some easy mountain climbing at Yatakayama Park? Enjoy hiking enriched with the changes of the seasons!

Yatakayama Park

Location: 4301-1 Koyama, Kawakami-cho, Takahashi city, Okayama prefecture
Guide Homepage: http://www.yataka654.com/modules/contents/index.php?cat_id=4 (Japanese)
Blooming Season: Early to mid-May (azaleas)
Admission: Free

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Hironobu Matsuoka