Kurashiki City Ojigadake Hill Rest House "Trial Sounding" Trial Ojigadake Hill - To preserve the magnificent scenery created by the mountains, sea, and sky.

Ojigadake Hill, with its mysterious rock formations and impressive giant rocks.

Near the summit, there is a facility of Kurashiki City, Ojigadake Rest House, built in 1967.

It is an old building that gives a sense of time passing, but it is an attractive place where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Seto Inland Sea.

To maintain the Ojigadake Rest House, Kurashiki City is implementing a method called "Trial Sounding" in collaboration with private businesses to consider ways to utilize the facility.

We spoke with Kenta Yabuki (やぶき けんた), from the Cultural Tourism Division of the Cultural Industry Bureau of Kurashiki City, about the background leading up to this implementation.

Additionally, as one of the events of "Trial Sounding," they participated in the "Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche" held on April 10, 2021 (Saturday).

We spoke with Maki Nishiyama (にしやま まき), the organizer of the marche, about the background of the event.

What is "Trial Sounding" at Ojigadake Rest House in Kurashiki City?

Overview of "Trial Sounding"

"Trial Sounding" is a method for Kurashiki City and private businesses to consider ways to utilize the rest facility Ojigadake Rest House located near the summit of Ojigadake.

From October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, the Cultural Tourism Division of the Cultural Industry Bureau of Kurashiki City is recruiting private businesses to temporarily hold events and other projects at Ojigadake Rest House.

It seems that as long as they can execute events, the scale of the business and whether they have a corporate status are not questioned, including private companies, non-profit organizations, individual entrepreneurs, and voluntary groups.

Successful applicants can use Ojigadake Rest House for their projects free of charge.

The main purpose of "Trial Sounding" is to collect basic data to consider effective utilization methods for Ojigadake Rest House.

Through events and other activities, they will grasp the number of tourists visiting Ojigadake and their needs, as well as investigate profitability and the challenges faced by the facility.

The "Trial Sounding" implementation guidelines are published on the Kurashiki City website, so interested businesses should check it out.

If you have any questions, please contact the following:

Examples of "Trial Sounding" Implementation

Between October 2020, when "Trial Sounding" began, and March 2021, five projects were implemented.

Below are examples of the implemented projects.

What kind of place is Ojigadake Rest House?

The view from Ojigadake Rest House

The greatest charm of Ojigadake Rest House is its beautiful view.

Being located near the summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea.

On the day I visited, the sky was clear and blue, allowing for a clear view of the islands floating in the sea, the Seto-Ohashi Bridge, and the mountain ranges of Shikoku.

The view from Ojigadake Rest House can be said to represent the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

Ojigadake is also known as a famous cherry blossom spot.

The cherry blossoms blooming against the backdrop of the many islands of the Seto Inland Sea are breathtakingly beautiful.

Ojigadake Rest House is a place where you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

The building of Ojigadake Rest House

Ojigadake Rest House is a building consisting of one floor above ground, one basement floor, and a rooftop.

The ground floor features a spacious resting area with glass doors on all four sides.

The basement floor is used as a storage area and is not accessible.

The rooftop has an observation deck, accessible via outdoor stairs.

From the observation deck, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Seto-Ohashi Bridge and the mountains of Shikoku.

Where is Ojigadake Rest House located?

Ojigadake Rest House, located in the southeastern part of Kurashiki City, is on the border with Tamano City.

Although the building is on the mountain, it connects to a road extending from the foot of the mountain, making it accessible by car or motorcycle.

There is also a parking lot just a few minutes' walk from the building.

The ability to easily visit by car or motorcycle is one of its attractions.

Additionally, there are well-maintained hiking trails, allowing visitors to walk up from the foot of the mountain.

Ojigadake Rest House is said to be a popular resting place for those visiting by motorcycle or for climbing.

The history of Ojigadake Rest House

Ojigadake Rest House was built in 1967.

It was completed in the year when the former Kurashiki City, former Kojima City, and former Tamashima City merged.

As a place to enjoy the scenic beauty of Setouchi, there was a national lodge at the foot of Ojigadake facing the sea.

It is said that the national lodge and the Ojigadake Rest House on the mountain were connected by a lift, and the lift station remains in the basement of the building.

On the ground floor of the building, a private business operated a restaurant as the designated manager of the city.

At the end of the 2011 fiscal year, the national lodge ceased operations, and the restaurant also closed.

Since then, it has been managed directly by Kurashiki City and has been used as a resting place.

The process leading to the implementation of "Trial Sounding"

Encounter with Ojigadake Rest House

We spoke with Yabuki, the person in charge of "Trial Sounding" at Ojigadake in Kurashiki City, about the process from the idea of the project to its implementation.

In 2019, Yabuki was assigned to the Cultural Tourism Division of the Cultural Industry Bureau of Kurashiki City.

Just before the transfer, he discovered Ojigadake Rest House while visiting Ojigadake for climbing and learned that it was a facility managed by Kurashiki City.

Before the transfer, Mr. Yabuki was involved in disaster response work and felt mental fatigue.

When he looked at the magnificent scenery of the Seto Inland Sea from Ojigadake Hill Rest House, he said he felt so moved that he almost cried and that his troubled heart was healed.

After that, he was assigned to the tourism department and, by chance, became responsible for Ojigadake Hill Rest House.

He felt a special connection to be in charge of a place with such memories.

Scenery to Cherish

The view from Ojigadake Hill Rest House became something precious to Mr. Yabuki, and he developed a desire to preserve the building.

However, it is difficult to continue maintaining public facilities that are deteriorating.

To find ideas for utilizing the attractive building, they adopted a method called "Trial Sounding."

Just as Mr. Yabuki did not know of the existence of Ojigadake Hill Rest House, many citizens of Kurashiki City are also unaware of it.

The goal is not only to organize the facility's challenges through events but also to create opportunities for people to learn about Ojigadake Hill Rest House.

He expressed a desire for visitors to actually see the wonderful view and think together about how to utilize the space.

Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche

Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche Overview

As part of the "Trial Sounding" event at Ojigadake Hill Rest House in Kurashiki City, the "Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche" was held on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

The event was organized by Atelier sora design.

The "Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche" featured six vendors:

Admission is free.

There is a parking lot just a few minutes' walk from the marche venue, making it accessible by car as well.

Many visitors were seen not only coming for the marche but also stopping by during their mountain climbing or touring.

The building had glass doors open, providing good ventilation.

The Ojigadake Hill Rest House had measures in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The marche venue was not only inside the building but also outdoors.

Under the clear sky, many visitors enjoyed lunch while taking in the breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea.

Background of the Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche

I spoke with Ms. Maki Nishiyama, the representative of Atelier sora design, which organizes the Tukutuku TAKE OUT Marche, about the background leading up to the event.

Ms. Nishiyama started organizing the marche in March 2020, when the spread of the novel coronavirus became a global issue.

While continuing a life of self-restraint and unable to go out, she realized that just going to the supermarket calmed her down.

Thus, she planned a small marche that people could stop by for a short time in the parking lot of the café she managed.

When she called for participants using social networking services, there was a great response.

Ms. Nishiyama continues to hold the marche with the desire to provide a time to relax in the tense atmosphere of self-restraint.

Impressions of Holding the Marche at Ojigadake Hill Rest House

Ms. Nishiyama learned about Ojigadake Hill Rest House through "Trial Sounding."

When she first visited Ojigadake Hill Rest House, she was impressed by the wonderful scenery.

She expressed her surprise, saying, "Why are there no other shops in such a wonderful place?"

Ms. Nishiyama emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where visitors can feel safe coming, as she holds events while preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

She noted that the Ojigadake Hill Rest House is well-ventilated and easy to implement measures to prevent the spread of infection.

Visiting Ojigadake Hill Rest House

For the author, who grew up in the urban area of Saitama Prefecture without mountains or the sea, the Ojigadake Hill Rest House, which offers a view of the sea from a high point, was an attractive building.

Having moved to Kurashiki from another region, the author feels a strong desire to introduce the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea to the world, not just Japan.

On the other hand, it was surprising to find that even some citizens of Kurashiki are unaware of its existence.

I hope that "Trial Sounding" will serve as an opportunity for people to notice Ojigadake Hill Rest House and that many will come to see the wonderful views.

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