Today was one of those travel days where everything just clicks. We set off without big expectations, wandered uphill on a whim… and ended up somewhere utterly magical. Let me tell you Kanmuriyama Park in Hikari is hands down one of the best parks we’ve ever been to.
It Starts with a Hill… and Ends with a View! The walk up isn’t too steep, just enough to feel like you’re going somewhere special. As we climbed, the pine trees gave way to cherry blossoms some in bloom, petals fluttering down like a gentle snow. Even before we reached the top, we could catch glimpses of the sea sparkling through the trees.
And then we got to the top, wow. That View Like a Postcard Come to Life!
From the top of the play area, you can see the entire valley stretch out below you, all the way to the Seto Inland Sea. The sunlight was dancing on the water, the hills were a patchwork of greens, and the rooftops of Hikari looked like a miniature village beneath us. We just stood there for a moment even the kids paused soaking it in.
It’s not often you find a playground with a view like this. But then again, this is no ordinary playground.
This play area is epic. It’s built right into the hillside slides, climbing tunnels, nets, and secret hidey holes all woven into the natural slope. Georgia was straight off and running before we’d even unzipped the backpack. Dotty made a beeline for a slide that had a tunnel and popped and out of it like a cheerful meerkat.
Everything here feels built for fun. Not just safe and clean but genuinely exciting. And it’s set among cherry trees, so when the blossoms fall, it’s like playing in a fairy tale.
Tucked in a quiet corner of the park is a big pond absolutely teeming with fish. We grabbed some fish food from a vending machine nearby, and the kids were beside themselves. Georgia took her role as fish feeder very seriously she named half of them and gave us a full rundown of who was who. Dotty mostly laughed every time they splashed.
It’s peaceful here. Local families come and go, but it never feels busy. It’s the kind of place you don’t want to rush and we didn’t.
On the way home, we made one more stop back at Nijigahama Beach, because… how could we not?
We’d picked up a little spade and rake for Dotty earlier in the day, and she was desperate to try them out. She got straight to work digging “Dotty holes” in the sand, completely focused, while Georgia skipped stones and helped spot more sea glass. The sun was still shining, the sea was that perfect crystal blue, and the whole beach seemed to glow in the late afternoon light and we had miles of it to ourselves.
Ali and I just sat for a moment, taking it all in two happy, sandy kids, sun shining and a breeze in the air, and not a single reason to rush off anywhere.
Hikari, might just have us hooked. So far it’s a place that makes the everyday feel special.
Tomorrow? Who knows. But if it ends like today with tired legs, happy kids, and sandy shoes we’ll be sorted.
