The elevation of the plateau is about 1000m! Let's go see the spectacular view of downtown Tokushima.

Continue up the mountain road for about 30 minutes, following the sign in front of the Sanagochi Village Office.
You will arrive at the Okawara Plateau, which is marked by a large wind turbine.

The summit is 1019 meters above sea level, and the temperature around the observatory is said to be 4 to 5 degrees cooler than in the city center all year round.
Of course, the view from the top is beautiful, and on a clear day you can see as far as Awaji Island.

In summer, visitors can see hydrangeas blooming all over this area, and many people from inside and outside of Tokushima come to enjoy the scenery.

According to the staff of “Sanagochi Village Hilltop House,” the reason why hydrangeas bloom so beautifully is that the climate of the Okawara Plateau, with its high altitude, cloudy skies, and fog, is extremely suitable for their growth.

The best time to see them is around July every year.
The local community holds a Hydrangea Festival around this time, so be sure to visit as well.

Astronomy observation at Hilltop House!

The view of the city and mountains during the day is of course beautiful, but the starry sky at night is not to be missed.

The high elevation of the area makes it a good place for stargazing, as there are no obstacles and no light from the city in the clear air.

The view from the parking lot is nice enough. But if you want to see the stars more clearly, head to the Hilltop House, which has an observatory used for astronomical observations.

Astronomical observation events are also held during the summer.
Please contact the Industrial Environment Division of Sanagochi Village Hall in advance if you plan to use the facility.

A closer look at the ecosystem surrounding the village of Sanagochi at the museum "Ikimono Fureai no Sato."

The museum “Sanagochi Ikimono Fureai no Sato" is located in a forest where rare plants grow wild, and it displays a wealth of insect specimens and other items that live in the Sanagochi Village area.

Specimens of wild animal bones found in the village are also on display, and special exhibitions are held periodically. (On the day of our photo shoot, an exhibition of photographs by amateur photographer Masao Mitsui, who lives in Tokushima City, was being held).

Nature experience activities that allow visitors to interact with the insects, animals, and plants that live in Sanagochi Village are also held regularly.
Events such as "Spring Insect Watching" and "River Watching" are open to children of elementary school age and older.

Those interested in the rare creatures that inhabit the forests are encouraged to visit.

Lodging at Sanagochi Village! Tents & Bungalows available.

A short drive from "Sanagochi Ikimono Fureai no Sato" leads to a campground operated by the facility.
This campground is open from the end of April to the end of September every year.
Tents are available for rent.

The campground staff will help you set up and take down your tent, so even first-time campers can feel comfortable!

Cooking utensils and dishes are available for rent, so you do not need to do much preparation.
There are also five wooden bungalows recommended for families with children.

The Okawara Kogen Wind Farm Museum is also located at the campground!
Admission is free, and inside there are many exhibits of equipment related to power generation that was used in the past.

The generator in the foreground was made in 1920!
The shaft of the generator is turned by a water wheel and the voltage is generated by the rotation of the rotor inside the generator.

Many of the switchboards that were actually used are also on display. It is a rare opportunity to see them up close.

The village of Sanagochi did not have a single streetlight until the middle of the Taisho period (1912-1926), when local volunteers came together to generate electricity and build streetlights.

If you look at each of the facilities with this history in mind, it makes these exhibits much more interesting.