Mt. Maya

A 702 meter tall mountain located in the center of the Rokko mountains in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. The Mt. Maya Kikuseidai observatory near the top of the mountain offers a panoramic view stretching from Kobe to the Kii Peninsula, and the view from here at night is called the “10 million dollar nightscape.” A cable car and ropeway can be taken from the observatory to the top of the mountain, and access from the city is convenient. The Maya View Terrace 702 facility at Maya Ropeway Hoshinoeki Station has a café and outdoor terrace where you can enjoy Japanese-style grill-your-own barbecue.

Spot details

Address: Hyogo Prefecture Kobe City Nada Ward Malaysia Map
Area: Mt. Rokko / Arima Area
Course1: Ueno Trail: This area is centered west of Mt. Rokko. There are a variety of sightseeing spots in the area, including Kobe Municipal Arboretum, Rokkosan Pasture, and Nunobiki Herb Garden, and Kikuseidai just below the summit is a popular observatory offering a full view of Mt. Rokko. This is said to be the shortest of the many routes here. Past the ruins of the Tenjoji Temple main hall the course splits into a Woodland Course, rich in negative ions, and the Ridge Course, offering beautiful scenery. Eight kilometers from the coast, at this elevation the mountain shows its craggy face. The summit is a small flat area, but it is surrounded by steep drop offs, so it is believed to have been used as a mountain fort in the middle ages.
Course2: Tengu Trail: This is a basic route, taking Tengu trail across Nunobiki no Taki falls, one of the three sacred falls of Japan along with Nachinotaki and Kegon Falls. The second you step foot on Tengu trail, you find yourself on true mountain path. It stays fairly level for a short while, but once you climb Inazumasaka, the trail suddenly becomes rocky and unclimbable without using both hands. Inazumasaka is the most dangerous spot in all of Mt. Rokko's trails. Most spots have stairs installed, so they're fairly easy to climb. You can descend from Kikuseidai via ropeway and cable car.
Course3: Twenty Cross: This valley path is relatively gentle. After setting out from Shin Kobe Station, you pass Nunobikinotaki, Gohonmatsu Dam, Shinrin Botanical Gardens East Exit, and Lake Hotaka before reaching Kikuseidai. As a valley course, please be careful of flooding in or after rainy weather. There are a few places to cross bridges or streams, but usually there's very little water. There's not so much climbing, as such, either. There aren't any real dangerous spots, either, so even beginners can enjoy a leisurely walk to the end. Walking it during the heat of summer offers a refreshing cool riverside feeling as well.