Hiking Kobe's Mount Maya

Natural beauty right on the city's doorstep

By Peter Sidell Jan 16, 2013 - 1 min read

The approach to Shin-Kobe station, with Mount Maya behind

The first waterfall, a nice spot for lunch in warm weather

The walk attracts a variety of local characters

It's easy to forget you're close to the bullet train station in one of Japan's largest cities.

Visit Mount Maya in autumn and it's ablaze with color

A bridge where the path splits at a stream

I often marvel at how easy it is to escape into nature in Japan. Shin-Kobe station may be a characterless slab of concrete, but the tunnel beneath it is a gateway to another world; within five minutes you're in a totally different environment of forested slopes, gentle streams and waterfalls, and a picturesque reservoir.

Was this article helpful?

Suggest an edit

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in summer 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I`m not working I write satire at www.iothern.blogspot.com and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check my youtube channel `CunningPunster` for a taste.

Following Follow