Gorgeous Forest park with many streams to cool down in! Very lovely temperature, even in hot summer. Dogs loved sniffing around the trails and we saw some interesting frogs along the way.
A lovely prefectural park with plenty of forest, a great network of hiking trails, and abundant bird life. The visitors centre is full of interesting information about the area with a cosy wood heater to sit by on cooler days. We visited in late autumn so it was a bit late to see autumn leaves, but we did about 6kms of walking to see the waterfalls which were pretty, but not enough recent rain to really get them going. Bring some binoculars to get a good look at the birds, and I imagine it’s pretty amazing in the spring.
Walking through Okayama forest is a must for anyone in the local area. It has the most beautiful views of silent forests, small streams, waterfalls and, if you climb to one of the peaks, the view of all the surrounding mountains and, on a clear day, a view of the coast 20km away. The forest is also full of wildlife with flora such as cedar trees, bamboo forests and about 20 different fungi, and fauna such as a huge selection of birds, snakes and, if you're lucky, bears.
The walks however are most certainly not for those who have any trouble in doing so. Most paths are around 30° steep for a few kilometres and so any walks through here will take a few hours but it is truly worth it. As for getting here the base is around 800m high and so it is very advisable to take a car which there is plenty of parking for.
Okayama Forest Park is a true gem for nature lovers. The extensive network of hiking trails offers something for everyone, whether you're up for a leisurely stroll or a more challenging trekking adventure. The park is especially breathtaking during the fall when the colors transform the landscape into a vibrant masterpiece. I was particularly fascinated by the lysichiton camtschatcensis, also known as eastern skunk cabbage, which adds a unique touch to the scenery. The visitors center is a great
