Hiruzen Plateau, Highland plateau in Maniwa, Japan
Hiruzen Plateau is a highland in Okayama Prefecture in western Japan, extending roughly 20 kilometers east to west and 10 kilometers north to south. The landscape features open fields, grazing lands, and scattered rural settlements that depend on farming and dairy production.
Human settlement in the Hiruzen region dates back to Japan's Stone Age, with significant population expansion during the Yayoi period. These early activities established agricultural practices that continue to define the area today.
The plateau supports a farming community centered on dairy production, with local products available at dedicated shops and farms. This working landscape shapes daily life and remains connected to seasonal rhythms and family-run operations.
The plateau is accessible via the Hiruzen Interchange on the Yonago Expressway or by community bus from JR Chugoku Katsuyama Station. Warmer months offer the easiest access and the most visible farm activity across the landscape.
The Shiogama-reisen Cold Spring on the plateau feeds into the Asahi River and creates habitat for the Japanese giant salamander. This water source is an overlooked natural spot that few visitors discover.
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