2026 Shobara Kono Swimming Pool Full-Day Course

This full-day course centers on Shobara Kono Swimming Pool (庄原市高野水泳プール) in Kono-cho, Shobara City, at the northern edge of Hiroshima Prefecture. It typically opens from Tuesday, July 21 to Monday, August 31, and is closed from September 1 to July 20 of the following year (except when used by schools). Admission is free, making it an easy place to drop by on a whim. Kono-cho sits in the highlands of the Chugoku Mountains and is known for its climate, which stays cooler than the lowlands even in summer. In the morning, first visit Michi-no-Eki Takano (道の駅たかの) near the Takano Interchange. It offers snow-cellar (雪室) initiatives unique to this snowy region, along with highland-grown produce. Next, visit Kogure Dam (高暮ダム), a stone structure built during the war. The massive structure appearing deep in the mountains quietly speaks of the region's history. After noon, move on to Shobara Kono Swimming Pool and enjoy water play until evening. It's a summer day spent partly as a retreat from the heat, in the cool highland air.