Mt. Maya

❻ Aotani Road

Route No.6

❻ Aotani Road

A path along the Aotani River that extends along the southern slope of Mt. Maya, and is one of the pilgrimage routes to the former Mayasan Tenjoji Temple.
Still hiked daily by visitors and locals today, the trail is paved from the starting point to the middle of the trail, making it easy to walk along, and is shaded by trees.
This quiet mountain path along the channel is very pleasant. The climb up to the junction with the Ueno Road past the Fudo no Taki Waterfall has many stairs, making it quite strenuous.

History

Origin and History of the name of Aotani Road

The name Mt. Maya comes from the fact that during the Heian period, Kukai brought back a statue of Maya, the mother of Buddha, from China and enshrined it in Tenjoji Temple. The mountain is revered as a place of Shugendo (mountain asceticism), and has been restored after being repeatedly burned by fire. Aotani Road is one of the pilgrimage routes to the former Mayasan Tenjoji Temple.

Spot

Highlights・Famous spots

Bato Kannon statue

Japan's largest statue of the horse-headed Kannon standing on the back of a leaping horse is found near the trail entrance to the Aotani Road.
Enshrined high above the mountain gate, the statue is breathtaking.

Shizuka-en Tourist Tea Garden

The only tea plantation in Kobe.
Until around 1897, the area from Harada Street in Nada Ward to Warizuka Street in Chuo Ward was a tea plantation. In 1976, the tea plantation was restored in Aotani. Hikers can relax here and enjoy tea made from mountain spring water.

Dainichi Daisho Fudo Myoo Fudotaki Gyomizogiba

Crossing the bridge with blue railings and entering the shrine, visitors will find a smaller shrine toward Roubadani and a place for waterfall ascetic practices.
One can sense the history of this quiet space as a place of Shugendo (mountain asceticism).

Mayasan Tenjoji Temple

Its main deity is Maya, the mother of Buddha and guardian of women. It is said to be the origin of the name Mt. Maya, and it is especially believed to be a guardian Buddha for safe childbirth, child bearing, and child rearing.
The dry landscape garden, which symbolizes an enchanted land in the sky, is also worth seeing, and in front of the Maya Hall is the Maya Garden of Creation, which symbolizes the world of the heavenly world in which Lady Maya ascended to heaven.
In front of the main hall, visitors can enjoy the Garden of the Hermit Who Arrived in Japan, which is based on the motif of Hodo Sennin's arrival from India and his founding of Mt. Maya.

Please check out detailed information by using mountain maps or web applications
beforehand and enjoy your fun and safe hiking!