GUIDE

Mountain hike!

A wide variety of hiking routes
in Kobe welcome your visit!
You can reach not only Mt. Rokko
but also Suma, Chuo,
and Tanjo areas!

About

Rokko’s mountainous

Rokko’s

mountainous

region

The Rokko mountainous region is located in the southeast part of Hyogo Prefecture and is composed of the Mt. Rokko area and Mt. Tanjo area. It is also called the Rokko mountain range.

4 areas Over 70 routes! 4 areas Over 70 routes!

Kobe Mountain
Hike Routes

Mt. Rokko

4 recommended routes

・From Rokko mountaintop to Ura-Rokko!
・A classic route that offers a wonderful view of the history around the area.

①

Aburakobushi

The shortest route to Rokko mountaintop

②

Ishikiri Road

A road where granite stones were conveyed once upon a time!

③

Shrine Road

A road where stone Buddhist images are dotted

④

Ice Road

A road where ice blocks were delivered from the mountaintop in the olden days

Learn more about

Mt. Rokko

!

Mt. Rokko consists of granite stones. It belongs to the Rokko mountain range, towering at the northern part of downtown Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.
Mt. Rokko is known as a popular sightseeing spot or mountain resort.

Defined as the entire area of the Rokko mountain range that is comprised of multiple mountains, it is also commonly known as the east part of the Rokko mountain range among Kobe locals.

The elevation of Mt. Rokko is 931 meters and the peak is solemnly situated in the area which is 2 kilometers east of the touristy location.

Mt. Rokko is designated as one of the 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, the new 100 Famous Japanese Mountains, and one of the top 50 local mountains in Hyogo.

Mt. Maya

6 recommended routes

・A route where both beginners and advanced hikers can enjoy
・Various types of mountain paths with historic spots and wild nature will entertain you.

①

Yamada Road

A relatively gentle route that is suitable for beginners

②

Somatani Road

Experience an atmosphere of mountain streams!

③

Ueno Road

A spectacular view with a rich history related to the road

④

Tengu Road

A part of the Mt. Rokko traverse

⑤

Twenty Cross

Feel plenty of negative ions during forest bathing!

⑥

Aotani Road

One of the pilgrimage routes toward the former Mayasan Tenjoji temple

Learn more about

Mt. Maya

!

Mt. Maya is located in the center of the Rokko mountainous region and the elevation is 702 meters.

Mt. Maya was named after Maya-Bunin who was the biological mother of the Buddha.

Kukai (one of the most influential Japanese monks) enshrined the Maya-bunin statue at Tenjoji temple.

Mt. Maya was called “Hasshu-mine” long, long ago, since 8 counties could be seen from the temple. Mt. Maya is also known as one of the top 50 local mountains in Hyogo.

Midwest area of
Rokko mountain range

4 recommended routes

・Easy and popular routes for hikers
・Many enjoyable ways can be chosen for families!

①

Taishi Road

It starts from Motomachi. Enjoy the route as you like

②

Mt. Ikari・Mt. Shisho

A beautiful cityscape of Kobe can be closely seen from both mountains.

③

Mt. Hachibuse・Mt. Hatafuri・Mt. Tekkai

The first part of the Mt. Rokko traverse

④

Mt. Togao・Mt. Yokoo・Mt. Higashi

The main part of Suma Alps

Learn more about the

Midwest area of Rokko mountain range !

!

The Midwest area is famous as the scenic spot in the Rokko mountain range and is the first part of the Mt. Rokko traverse.

The area especially around Suma-ku, Kobe is commonly called Suma Alps.

The highest mountain in the Suma Alps is Mt. Yokoo (altitude: 312 meters). En route, the horseback-shaped granite stone “Umanose” is showing its strong presence, boosting hikers’ moods.

Mt. Tanjo

4 recommended routes

・Myoyoji temple is also called “west Enryakuji temple”
and it was revived by Taira no Kiyomori
(the first Japan samurai leader in the late Heian period)!

①

Mt. Tanjo・Mt. Taishaku

The road that Minamoto no Yoshitsune (legendary Japanese military commander) forces walked past

②

Historic site of Mt. Tanjo

Let’s explore the historic site!

③

Lake Tsukuhara

A route connected between Yamada-cho, Kita-ku and Kande-cho, Nishi-ku

④

Sun and Greenery Road

A route around the historic sites in Yamada village

Learn more about the

Mt. Tanjo

area!

The Mt. Tanjo area is a 14-kilometer-long mountain ranging from Mt. Shibire (located in Shijimi, Miki city / west side) to Mt. Kisurashi (located in Karato, Arino-cho, Kobe city / east side).

The area is also called Mt. Tanjo and Mt. Taishaku area.

Due to the wildfire and deforestation in the past, the current forest is relatively young.

This rich forest area is composed of Konara oak, oak, pine trees, and so forth. Compared to the Mt. Rokko area, the Mt. Tanjo area is undeveloped and hasn’t been widely known among hikers.

Therefore, the area is like a hidden and untouched treasure of nature.

JR Shin-Kobe Station's Hiking Support Center The Gateway to Mt. Rokko

If you are not used to mountain hikes or you are not familiar with mountain routes,

go with this route which is
best for beginners!

Beginner friendly
trekking routes!

Relaxing Mt. Futatabi and Nunobiki hike

Relaxing Mt. Futatabi
and Nunobiki hike

See details
Great history and nature Mt. Maya hike

Great history and nature
Mt. Maya hike

See details
Momiji Valley and popular spots on the mountaintop hike

Momiji Valley and popular spots on the mountaintop hike

See details
Rock Garden Easy and short hike

Rock Garden
Easy and short hike

See details
Check out the charm of
Mt. Rokko!
Go to the Rokko Navi →

Selectively chosen by Kobe locals!
See the locals’ recommended routes!

Recommendation 1

Nunobiki route

Only a 15-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station
will take you to deep mountains and silent valleys with a serene atmosphere.

Nature

Series of waterfalls

History

Reservoir (Nunobiki 5 Gohonmatsu dam: one of Japan’s top 100 dams, Important cultural property in Japan, Heritage of Industrial Modernization in Japan)

Additional option!
It would be a great choice to visit Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens after the Nunobiki hike.

Recommendation 2

Mt. Kincho route

A route that starts from Okamoto Station (Higashinada-ku) and ends at Mt. Kincho via Hokura shrine.
A large number of hikers visit this route every day since the road is well-paved.

Nature

The scenic spot for cherry and plum flower viewing (The best period: the end of February to the beginning of March)

View

A city view and sea view from Hokura shrine and Mt. Kincho are highly recommended. Sit on the bench and relax at the square on Mt. Kincho.

History

A stone lantern is installed as a safety precaution of the ship navigation. This lantern is famous as “Nada-no hitotsubi (the only light in the Nada area)”.

Additional option!
The distance from Hokura shrine to Hankyu Line Okamoto Station is 1.2 kilometers. After arriving in Okamoto, let’s stroll around the Okamoto area.
The combination route (Rock Garden-Kazafuki Iwa-Hokura shrine- Okamoto) is often taken by hikers.

Recommendation 3

Mt. Okko・Mt. Mekko route

Mt. Okko and Mt. Mekko were selected as Hyogo’s local top 100 mountains.
They are regarded as paired mountains since their elevations and shapes are pretty much the same and they are towering on the west side and the east side.
They are locally called “Okkosan” and “Mekkosan” and have been loved by Kobe locals.

Nature

A beautiful plum grove spreads out over Mt. Mekko.

View

The wide-spread views from both mountains are very appealing.
On top of that, you can enjoy a unique view from the whole of the needle-shaped statue at the observatory located on the top of Mt. Mekko.

History

Also, the Kande shrine is situated at the mountaintop and a legend has it that this shrine was the birthplace of a myriad of deities in ancient times.

Additional option!
As the altitude of both mountains is low and the paths are very hiker-friendly, beginners can try without any anxieties.

Recommendation 4

Ribbon Road at the Foot of the Mountains

Kobe is a city that has prospered by harnessing the rich nature of mountains and sea.
The "Ribbon Road at the Foot of the Mountains" refers to a walking path that connects the scattered towns along the foot of Mt. Rokko and the seaside of Tarumi with ribbons.
Why not explore the history of Kobe while enjoying the scenery and taking a stroll?

①East

Hanshin Ishiyagawa to JR Sumiyoshi

②Central

Kobe Dentetsu Nagata Station to Ishiibashi Station

③West

Sumaura Park to Sanyo Nishi-Maiko Station

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