Maruyamagawa and Tajima Terraced Rice Fields

Restoration of the Oriental White Stork

The Oriental White Stork went extinct in Japan in 1971, but through protection and breeding activities at Toyooka City's Stork Home Park, wild releases began in 2005, with now several hundred birds living mainly in Hyogo Prefecture.

Tajima Rural Scenery

The farming area along the Maruyamagawa River has beautiful rural scenery with terraced rice fields. Rice grown by the "stork-nurturing farming method" co-existing with storks is attracting attention as a new approach to agriculture contributing to environmental conservation.

Stork Home Park

Toyooka City's Stork Home Park has display and observation facilities for learning about stork ecology. With luck, soaring storks can be observed up close.

Maruyamagawa and Kinosaki Onsen

Maruyamagawa is the clear stream flowing through Kinosaki Onsen, also enjoyable for canoeing and kayaking activities. The riverside scenery showing different expressions through all four seasons — spring cherry blossoms, summer fireflies, autumn foliage — is also attractive.