Updated September 2026.
I recommend Hinoki Land as a stop on a journey through Chiang Dao towards Fang, particularly for a group that enjoys architecture, dressing up and taking photographs. Its red gates, large wooden building and pond make an easy change of scene along that route. For a short stay centred on Chiang Mai’s old temples and northern Thai culture, it falls lower on my list: reaching Chai Prakan takes a substantial part of the day.
Hinoki Land is a privately developed Japanese-themed attraction in Chai Prakan district, north of Chiang Mai city. It opened in October 2018. The visit revolves around buildings, landscaped grounds, costume rental and photographs, with food and shopping available inside.
Where it fits on a northern Chiang Mai route
The approach from Chiang Mai follows Highway 107 north through Mae Taeng and Chiang Dao towards Chai Prakan. There are mountain sections along the journey, but Hinoki Land itself is a roadside destination.
For a return trip from Chiang Mai, I suggest allowing a full day for the journey and the park. Leave in the morning, visit Hinoki Land, have lunch and return with a break around Chiang Dao if time permits. Traffic, rain and how much time the group spends taking pictures will determine the pace more than the number of kilometres on the map.
A more comfortable fit is a stop while travelling onwards to Fang or staying around Chai Prakan. That turns the visit into part of the journey and avoids repeating the entire drive on the same day. It also leaves flexibility for costume rental without watching the clock for a long return to Chiang Mai.
If driving, save the map pin for the attraction in Chai Prakan before leaving. Hinoki Hotel in Chiang Mai city is a different property; booking a room there does not put you near this park. Search by district as well as by the Hinoki name.
A walk through Hinoki Land
Three architectural features give the visit its shape: the large lantern at the entrance, the passage through red torii gates and the wooden building usually called Hinoki Castle. They borrow from recognisable Japanese landmarks and work well as a short walking circuit.
The entrance lantern and torii passage
The entrance draws on the gate of Sensoji in Tokyo’s Asakusa district. Its oversized lantern gives a clear arrival photograph, with the gate framing the scene. The red torii passage takes its inspiration from Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, where repeated gates form long corridors.
My suggestion is to take one broad view showing the repetition, then look for a closer composition with a person between the gates. The attraction was designed with photographs in mind, so it makes sense to enjoy that purpose. Step aside between shots so other visitors can use the passage too.
The wooden building
The main building rises over several levels and takes inspiration from Kyoto’s Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. At Hinoki Land, the timber structure is a large part of the attraction. Hinoki is Japanese cypress, the fragrant wood that gives the project its name.
I recommend looking at the building from across the pond before entering. That view gives the roof and its setting some space; closer to the structure, the timber and interior details become more apparent. Follow the signs for shoes and access to the different levels.
There are stairs, so ask which levels are open before deciding how far to go up. For anyone with limited mobility, the useful question is whether their preferred route can include the grounds, pond and ground-floor spaces comfortably. An upper-level view need not be the reason to make the trip.
The pond and koi
The koi pond gives children and anyone taking a break from photographs something else to focus on. Fish food is sold near the castle, and designated feeding areas are around the seating shelters and beneath the building. Use those areas rather than the rocky edges of the pond.
Keep children beside an adult when feeding the fish. Buy the food intended for the koi instead of sharing lunch or snacks.
Renting a yukata: decide before walking around
Yukata rental is one of Hinoki Land’s main activities. Clothing is available for adults and children, with staff assisting with dressing and hair. If this is the reason for visiting, stop at the rental area near the beginning; otherwise you may end up retracing the gates and pond after changing.
Before paying, I would check the total rental price, which accessories are included and when the outfit must be returned. Ask about available sizes and footwear too. A comfortable fit matters when the plan involves walking between photographs.
The most useful sequence is to choose the outfit, take the outdoor pictures while everyone is comfortable, then change before a longer meal or the onward drive.
In hot weather, build in a shaded break instead of moving straight from one photo setting to the next. During rain, wait to see whether it clears before paying for an outdoor photo session.
Opening hours, admission and what to budget
Plan around the normal opening hours of 8am to 5pm daily. Morning suits a visit with outdoor photographs and costume rental because it leaves room for choosing clothes, walking around and stopping for food before the afternoon drive.
Admission, outfit rental, food, drinks and purchases are separate parts of the budget. Before making a special journey, confirm the current admission price for your group and the rental package you want. Hinoki Land’s contact numbers are 094 731 0731 and 089 837 3373. Give the children’s ages or heights when asking about family admission.
For me, the larger cost question is transport. A group already driving north may find this an easy addition, while a private return journey from Chiang Mai could cost much more than the visit itself. Request the driver’s total price, including waiting time, fuel and the planned return destination, before comparing it with an organised excursion.
Bring enough cash for the day’s smaller purchases. If paying electronically is essential, ask about the accepted methods before leaving the city. Confirm any particular service you are travelling for, such as costume rental, at the same time as the opening hours.
Lunch, coffee and shopping
Hinoki Coffee serves food and drinks in the grounds, with Thai and Japanese options. I would use it as a break after the main photo circuit, particularly with children or in warm weather. Check the menu before settling in if someone has a specific dietary requirement.
The shop connects the attraction with the wider hinoki-wood business. Wood products and souvenirs may appeal to anyone interested in the material used around the site. Consider the size and weight before buying something for a flight home; small items are easier to fit into an existing trip than bulky purchases.
There is also a useful alternative to eating inside: continue towards Chai Prakan or Fang if that is the direction of travel, or pause in Chiang Dao on the return. Choose the lunch stop around the direction of the onward drive.
Choosing transport and an overnight base
A rental car or an arranged driver is my preferred option for this outing. It makes the return journey clear and lets a family carry water, spare clothing and purchases without coordinating several local transfers.
For public transport, ask at Chiang Mai’s Chang Phueak bus station about the current Fang or Tha Ton service and a stop for Hinoki Land. Confirm where to get off, the walk to the entrance and the return boarding point. Settle the return plan before departing; a bus along the main road and a vehicle waiting at the park entrance are different arrangements.
A same-day return needs no additional hotel. For a longer northern route, look at Chai Prakan or Fang and check the actual driving distance from the chosen accommodation. Chiang Dao can work as an earlier overnight stop if you prefer to break the journey before continuing north.
My choice would be Hinoki Land followed by a night around Fang when continuing towards Doi Ang Khang the next day. Keep the mountain excursion as its own part of the trip. A late afternoon departure from the park is a good reason to stay in the valley and leave the steeper roads until morning.