Shōbara(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

Stay at Jojo Machiya Inn, a restored Edo-period townhouse near Jojo Castle Ruins, offering immersive experiences in Bizen paper-making and tea ceremonies. The inn’s staff, trained in local traditions, guide guests through workshops using handmade washi paper and seasonal ingredients from nearby farms. Each room features authentic tatami mats and sliding shoji screens, while evening meals include Bizen miso soup and locally raised Jojo beef. This is ideal for travelers seeking deep cultural connection in rural Hiroshima.

The central Jojo Station district offers the most convenient base for exploring the city. It’s within walking distance of Jojo Castle Ruins, Otemachi Shopping Street, and the Jojo City Museum. Many ryokan here, like Kanehashi Onsen Ryokan, provide access to Jojo Hot Springs and offer traditional onsen baths with views of the Yoshino River. With daily shuttle services to nearby Bizen pottery villages, this area balances comfort, culture, and accessibility for all travelers.

Don’t miss the annual Jojo Matsuri Festival, held every autumn, featuring vibrant taiko drum performances and elaborate float parades along Otemachi Street. Locals wear traditional costumes, showcasing Bizen pottery and washi paper artistry. Some hotels offer special festival-themed rooms with commemorative gifts and guided parade viewing. HopeGoo early is essential—this is one of Japan’s most authentic regional celebrations, reflecting centuries-old community spirit.

Stay at Bizen Pottery Village Stay, nestled beside the Yoshino River, just 15 minutes from Daihara Kiln Site. This eco-friendly guesthouse offers hands-on pottery-making sessions using traditional Bizen firing techniques. Guests can craft their own unfired clay pieces and witness the dramatic night fire ritual at the kiln. The property also hosts evening candlelit exhibitions, where finished works are displayed under soft light—perfect for those wanting to experience Japan’s oldest ceramic tradition firsthand.

Yes, Jojo Kodomo Nature House in Jojo Natural Park is designed for families. With open-air gardens, a children’s farm, and interactive programs like bamboo weaving and firefly night walks (summer only), it blends education and adventure. Rooms feature child-safe flooring and themed activity kits. Breakfast includes organic fruits and local milk, sourced from nearby farms. Ideal for kids to learn about Hiroshima’s ecosystem through play and discovery in a serene countryside setting.

Absolutely. Jojo Machiya Inn and Kanehashi Onsen Ryokan both provide kimono rental and professional photo sessions in historic settings like Jojo Castle Ruins or Otemachi Old Town. Traditional Bizen-patterned kimonos are available, often paired with handmade obi sashes. Guests receive styling tips and can choose between daytime or twilight shoots. Some packages include tea ceremony demonstrations and digital photo albums. Reserve ahead during peak seasons to secure your cultural moment.

Kanehashi Onsen Ryokan stands out with its century-old hot spring baths fed by mineral-rich waters from 800 meters below ground. Its open-air rotenburo overlooks the Yoshino River, perfect for stargazing. The hotel offers private bath bookings and serves meals on Bizen pottery dishes. Guests can also join onsen wellness lectures explaining traditional healing practices. A true sanctuary for relaxation and cultural immersion in rural Hiroshima.

At Jojo Machiya Inn and Kanehashi Onsen Ryokan, savor Jojo beef, fresh Yoshino River fish sashimi, and hearty Bizen miso soup made with local ingredients. Afternoon tea includes wagashi sweets crafted from chestnuts and pickled plums, served on Bizen ceramic tableware. All food comes from local cooperatives, ensuring freshness and sustainability. These meals deliver an authentic taste of western Hiroshima’s agricultural richness and culinary heritage.

Visit Washi Kobo Stay, a craft-focused guesthouse in Ohara District, adjacent to the Jojo Washi Paper Museum. Daily workshops teach the full process—from harvesting kozo bark to hand-pulping and sheet-forming. Guests create their own washi paper and take it home as a souvenir. Evenings feature paper lantern dinners, where handcrafted lanterns illuminate the garden, creating a magical atmosphere. This is a rare chance to engage with Japan’s oldest papermaking tradition in a living, creative environment.

Experience the Night Illumination Ceremony at Jojo Castle Ruins, where ancient stone walls glow softly under warm lights each spring. For a magical evening, join a firefly boat tour along the Yoshino River (June–July), gliding past reeds while listening to frogs and water sounds. Some ryokan, like Kanehashi Onsen Ryokan, host moon-viewing tea ceremonies in traditional minka tea houses, complete with Bizen ware. These quiet, reflective moments capture the essence of Japanese wabi-sabi beauty in the heart of nature.