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Contact with Nature
Mt. Konzeyama Hiking Course
The Omi-Konan Alps start where Mt. Konzeyama (Mt. Aboshiyama, Mt. Ryuozan, Mt. Keikanzan) towers over the southern part of this abundantly green town.
Tucked in these mountains, there is Konshoji Temple on Mt. Ryuozan, which played a role in Buddhist culture of the Heian Period, and the Komasaka Stone Buddhist Reliefs, said to have been created in the Heian Period. A hiking course to walk among these historical sites has been made. On the hiking course, you'll happen upon rocks naturally formed into curious shapes like "Ear Rock" and "Tengu Rock", and the view from there is spectacular.
◆On the Mt. Konzeyama Hiking Course, there are the mountains of Ryuozan and Keikanzan, whose names are associated with the Chinese zodiac. In the Year of the Rooster, many hike Keikanzan in commemoration, as the "鶏" kanji or "kei" in the name also means chicken.
(In winter, snow piles up and the course may be subject to freezing. When hiking, please equip yourself with crampons and use plenty of caution.)
◆For more details about the course, please see【Mt. Konzeyama Hiking Course Information】on the Ritto City Website's Tourist Information page http://www.city.ritto.lg.jp/kanko/konnzeyamahiking/8614.html
◆From October through November is mushroom season. Please be careful not to stray from the hiking course when hiking, as Mt. Konzeyama is almost entirely a property ward or privately owned mountain forest.
◆In the hiking seasons of spring and fall, the "Konze Megurichan Bus" operates between JR Tehara Station and Konshoji Temple. ※Operates Sat/Sun/Holidays
Inquiries：Ritto Tourism Association,Tourism Commerce and Industry Division of Ritto City Hall
TEL：Ritto Tourism Association 077-551-0126
Tourism Commerce and Industry Division of Ritto City Hall 077-551-0236
Access：Ritto City, Arahari Yokogamine View Point MAP
Ritto Nature Observation Forest (Ritto Shizen Kansatsu-no-mori)
A facility for observing nature, spread out through the hilly terrain of Anyoji. Observe nature in a real way, while receiving guidance from instructors in this roughly 14-hectare forested area, with observation huts, nature observation trails, and Beetle Land and Damselfly Marsh. This facility has gathered popularity as a place to come directly in contact with the kind of nature shrinking away in urban areas, as well as a place to feel the importance of nature, and to hear its voice as well. In addition, there is a nature center to get a better understanding of what things you have seen with your own eyes.
Events are held every month such as 15-minute simple "mini crafts" and a "nature observation course" led by instructors who explain natural points of interest of each season.
Inquiries：Ritto Nature Observation Forest (Ritto Shizen Kansatsu-no-mori)
TEL：077-554-1313
Access：Ritto City, Anyoji 178-2MAP
Opening hours：April - September 9:00～17:00
October - March 9:00～16:30
Closed：Monday, Tuesday (if a holiday, the next day), Year-end and New Year's holidays
Entrance Fee：Free
Parking spaces：50 (3 large-sized spaces)
Konze Tenma no Mori Forest
An expansive and lush park on the Mt. Ryuo mountainside (604.7m), overlooking Lake Biwako.
Left as a relic of the 26th National Arbor Day in 1975, whose theme was "making a hometown of water and greenery", this park houses a cypress tree planted by the Emperor Showa, and a maple tree planted by the empress. The Mt. Konzeyama Hiking Course snakes around it, and historical spots like Konshoji Temple, a cherry tree-lined road, and a finely flowing waterfall are nearby.
The view is also nice, and on a clear day, you can see Omi-Fuji (Mt. Mikamiyama) and the Hirasan Mountains on the other shore.
Every year in mid-April, the cherry blossoms bloom.
Inquiries：Roadside Station Konze-no-sato Ritto
TEL：077-558-3858
Access：Ritto City, Arahari 1-11MAP
Parking spaces：29 (2 large-sized spaces)
Forest Adventure Ritto
With parks all over Japan, the immensely popular outdoor forest park Forest Adventure has come to Shiga as the first park of its kind in the prefecture!! Also, it's the first of its kind in Japan! The Dual Tarzan Swing has arrived!! 2 people can swing on the Tarzan Swing at once, so families, friends, and couples can experience the thrill together. Furthermore, this park is packed with nature, including the headwaters of a stream, and a natural waterfall. Nearby facilities include bungalows, eateries, and a ground golf course. After playing at Forest Adventure, go to eat the famous shishi-don (boar meat over rice) at the Roadside Station, and in the evening, spend the night in a bungalow! How about a full-on nature experience like that?
Inquiries / Reservations：Forest Adventure Ritto
TEL：090-5794-0420
Access：Shiga Prefecture, Ritto City, Kannonji Hiradani 459MAP
Opening hours：9:00 - 17:00 (last reception time is different)
Closed：Irregular holidays
Price：Adventure Course starts from 3,800 yen, Canopy Course starts from 2,800 yen
Parking spaces：30
Yokogamine Observatory (Parking lot in front of BatoKannondo)
At an elevation of about 590 meters, this place is higher than Mt. Mikamiyama (the Mt. Fuji of Omi).
The view from the parking lot is spectacular, and in addition to being able to see the entirety of the Japan Racing Association's Ritto Training Center, one can see the cityscapes of the Konan Area from Ritto and into Yasu, Mt. Mikamiyama, and also Lake Biwako and the Hira Mountains.
There are a great many cherry trees of different varieties growing in the area of the parking lot, such as wild cherry and yoshino cherry. In the spring, cherry blossom viewing picnics are highly recommended. The cherries reach full bloom a week later than those at sea level.
A sea of clouds unfurls on the mornings of days with fine weather in the fall and into early winter as well.
There are high-powered binoculars (fee required) installed there, so please feel free to try them.
Furthermore, it serves as an origin/destination for the Ritto side of the Mt. Konzeyama Hiking Courses, and it bustles with hikers headed for the Komasaka Stone Buddhist Reliefs, the Komasakadera Temple Ruins, "Tengu Rock", "Ear Rock", Mt. Ryuozan, and Mt. Keikanzan.
There is a bathroom.
※The forest road may close due to natural disasters, etc.
※There may be snowfall and the forest road may freeze during the winter months. Please put on winter tires and be very cautious when driving.
Inquiries：Ritto Tourism Association
TEL：077-551-0126
Access：Ritto City, ArahariMAP
Parking spaces：8
Kubon Waterfall
Located in Inoue, Ritto City, this easily-accessible waterfall can be found just five minutes’ walk from the parking lot. Said to be the largest waterfall in Konan, it is 20 meters long, or 100 meters when the stream is included.
The waterfall consists of three layers, which is where the name “Kubon” (referring to the nine levels of Amitabha's Pure Land) originates.
According to the Amitayurdhyana Sutra, beings born into the Pure Land can be divided into categories consisting of combinations of the highest, middle, and lowest levels and the highest, middle, and lowest grades, for a total of nine levels. Forming three layers and flowing on into several streams with a quiet murmur, this waterfall is truly worthy of its name.
Inquiries：Ritto Tourism Association
TEL：077-551-0126
Access：Ritto City, InoueMAP
Parking spaces：Parking available
Mount Nikko
In Rokujizo, Ritto City there is a small mountain where ruins can be found.
With 721 stone steps leading to the top, it makes a perfect light hiking course.
From the summit, you can enjoy a view encompassing not just Ritto City but also the Yasu River and the Konan Plains. As an important location overlooking the Tokaido Road, during the Sengoku period, the mountaintop came under the control of Oda Nobunaga, whose troops are thought to have built Takiyama Castle.
The mountaintop was leveled to build Takiyama Castle, making the grounds of the castle flat. It is surrounded by earth walls, with entrances in the eastern and western walls. With design elements like arrowslits to allow for archers to attack invading armies from the sides and stone walls, it is said to be an early example of modern castle architecture.
The earth and stone walls still remain today, remnants of a bygone era.
Inquiries：Ritto Tourism Association
TEL：077-551-0126
Access：Ritto City, RokujizoMAP
Parking spaces：10 spaces
Ritto Slackline Park You-kukan
One of the largest slackline parks in Japan where both children and adults can enjoy.
Slackline is a line about 5 cm wide that you can walk on, strike a pose on, and as you get better, you can jump and spin like on a trampoline.
It is useful for basic training in all kinds of sports and is attracting attention as a new sport that can strengthen the body's core.
Even if you are new to the sport, you can start with a low line for beginners and have fun throughout the day.
Inquiries / Reservations：Ritto Slackline Park You-kukan
TEL：090-5158-8800
Access：210-12 Arahari, Ritto CityMAP
Hours of Operation / Fees：Hours of operation are subject to change depending on the weather and season, so please check the website or our Facebook page.
Parking spaces：15 parking spaces
HP：https://www.rittoslackline.com/
Nature Experience Learning Center Mori no Miraikan
We nurture cheerful, resilient young people with rich spirit and promote life-long learning at our center through group activities and overnight workshops in the abundant nature of Ritto. Our faciilties can be used for forest environmental education projects (Yama no Ko), and our large conference room is available to use for brand band and chorus practice, and corporate and group training. Additionally, the adjacent Hiratani Stadium can be used to hold sports training camps.
Inquiries：Mori no Miraikan
TEL：077-558-3777
Access：Ritto City, Kannonji 459-20MAP
Entrance fee：Adults 200 yen, Children 100 yen
Accomodation：＜Max. Capacity 4 people＞ Weekdays from 10,700 yen Days before holidays from 12,800 yen
Parking spaces：30
Closed：Wednesdays (the following day if Wednesday falls on a holiday), 12/29 - 1/4
HP：https://ritto-konze-no-sato.or.jp/miraikan.html