2026 Hyotan Pool: A Full Day Out

This one-day course centers on Hyotan Pool (Chikanaga Park) (ひょうたんプール (近永公園)) in Chikanaga Park, Kihoku Town, Kitauwa District. In a typical year it's open from July 21 to August 31, 9:30am to 5:00pm, closed every Tuesday and whenever a weather warning is issued (excluding high-wave warnings). This outdoor pool for toddlers and elementary schoolers sits surrounded by the nature of the Nara River, and admission is free. As the name suggests, its water surface is shaped like a gourd (hyotan), and its shallow depth makes it reassuring even for children who aren't confident in deep water. The morning starts at Nariikawa Gorge (成川渓谷), a valley carved over time by a clear stream flowing down from the mountains of Kihoku Town; the tree-lined promenade along the river stays cool even in midsummer. Next, stop by the roadside station Michi-no-Eki Mori no Sankakuboshi (道の駅 森の三角ぼうし) for lunch while browsing local produce and specialty goods. In the early afternoon, head to Hyotan Pool (Chikanaga Park), where you can enjoy water play at a relaxed pace until evening while listening to the murmur of the river. A simple, pleasant summer day spent in the embrace of the Shikoku mountains.