Hinoyama Observatory | A Stunning Scenic Stroll with My Dog: The Ultimate Vantage Point Overlooking Shimonoseki

Whenever I’m driving near the Kanmon Straits, the sign for “Hinoyama” always catches my eye. I’d always thought, “I know there’s an observatory up there,” but for one reason or another, I usually ended up just driving past it. However, on this particular day, the weather was beautiful, and since my only plan was a quick stop at Starbucks, I decided to finally head up.

I knew it was a spot where you could see the whole city of Shimonoseki, but I was still excited to see exactly what kind of view was waiting for me. As we drove up the Hinoyama Parkway, the elevation steadily increased, and Elmo was peering out the window with great curiosity.

What started as a spontaneous, “let’s just pull over for a bit” kind of stroll turned out to be a discovery that made me think, “I should have come here much sooner!”

An Instant Panorama of Shimonoseki Right from the Parking Lot

The moment I parked the car and stepped outside with Elmo, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, this is amazing!” Spreading out before us was an overwhelming panoramic view, with the streets of Shimonoseki stretching out as far as the eye could see.

To be honest, I was surprised that such a breathtaking view was accessible right next to the parking area. It’s a landscape unique to Shimonoseki, where the sea and the city coexist beautifully without many tall buildings blocking the horizon. Elmo seemed to take it all in too, looking down at the city with a expression that seemed a bit more dignified than usual.

A gentle breeze was blowing, and Elmo was busy enjoying some “scent-work,” his ears twitching happily in the wind. The area has the relaxed atmosphere of a large park and wasn’t overly crowded, making it a premier spot to enjoy the scenery peacefully with your dog.

Hinoyama Park is one of Shimonoseki’s most iconic tourist destinations. For more details on facilities and access, be sure to check out the Yamaguchi Prefecture tourism site.

Discovering Even More Reasons to Return!

As it turns out, I was so captivated by the view of the Shimonoseki city side that I actually left without realizing there’s a specific vantage point that offers a perfect view of the Kanmon Bridge. After looking it up later, I found out there are spots where you can look right down onto the bridge, and in the spring, there’s a “Turkish Tulip Garden” where colorful flowers bloom in abundance.

Furthermore, this location is designated as a “Japan Night View Heritage” site. Apparently, at night, the lights of Shimonoseki combined with those of Kitakyushu across the strait create a truly spectacular night view. I’ve already made a mental note: “A revenge trip with Elmo is definitely happening.”

That’s the beauty of travel—discovering things you missed after the fact only gives you a reason to go back. Next time, I’m planning a return visit with Elmo specifically for the tulip season or to catch that famous night view. And when I do, I’ll be sure to capture that perfect shot of the Kanmon Straits!