You can see live giant salamanders all year round. Admission is free, so it's great to drop by anytime! If you're going to Yubara Onsen, be sure to stop by!
You can see live giant salamanders. You'll be amazed at their size. If you found one like this in the river without any prior information, you'd be stunned. You'll really feel the power of nature. It's something you should see at least once in your life.
My main goal was the Hiruzen Plateau, but I really wanted to visit this place, so I made a detour to visit. It's near Yubara Onsenkyo, but the location is a little hard to find and the building is small, but it's still quite impressive for a facility that's free to enter. There are three or four small aquariums, each with one salamander, and I think I saw one in the large circular tank. I was thrilled to see the giant salamander in action in the circular tank. There are also documents and specimens on display. It was worth the detour.
I stopped by Yubara Onsen. It was my first time to take the time to look at a giant salamander, and it was fascinating. I also learned more about Hamanzaki Daimyojin Shrine. The exhibition hall is small, so you can finish looking around quickly, but I ended up staying longer than I expected lol
No, admission to the Hanzaki Center is completely free. This makes it an accessible and budget-friendly attraction for visitors interested in learning about Japanese giant salamanders and their conservation.
You can observe live Japanese giant salamanders of various sizes, from young specimens to those exceeding 1 meter in length. The facility also features skeletal displays and preserved specimens, along with informational exhibits detailing the salamanders' ecology, cultural significance, and relationship with the Yubara Onsen area. There is also a garden outside the museum that is open to the public.
At the time of recent visitor reviews, English translations were not yet available, though they were reportedly being planned. Currently, most signage and information panels are in Japanese only. However, the live salamander displays can be enjoyed regardless of language barriers.
The center is located at 1515 Toyosaka, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture. By car, it's approximately 10 minutes from Yubara IC on the Yonago Expressway, with free parking available on site. For public transportation users, take a bus from JR Chugoku Katsuyama Station using the Maniwa City Community Bus service to reach the Yubara Onsen area.
Yes, the Hanzaki Center is ideally positioned for a combined visit with other Yubara attractions. The area features the famous Sunayu open-air hot spring bath, Yubara Onsen Museum, and Lake Yubarako. Many visitors combine salamander viewing with a relaxing hot spring experience, making it perfect for a full day trip in the Yubara Onsen region.
