Introduction: I hiked Mt. Rokko a year ago and wanted to go back again since it's in the middle of week long holidays under nice weather.
Up at 4:45am, I stretched my body. I was still dragging the pain from the futsal I played a while ago. Left home at 5:35am, walked to the train station with very less people on the street. I passed the gate and took a local train to Nagoya leaving at 5:53am. It was fairly packed but I was able to take a seat. The train smoothly and quietly moved under morning sun without a problem.
When I get to a ticketing counter at Nagoya, there were some people in line and took a while for my turn to come but I was able to purchase a ticket. Passing the gate at 6:14am to get on Nozomi leaving at 6:20am which is the first one leaving here. The train came in to the platform on time and left. The travel to Shin-Kobe was smooth, the train stops at Kyoto, Shin-Osaka on the way and each time the new passengers came in, I can hear different dialects which is quite interesting. The train began to slow down and after clearing the tunnel, it arrived at Shin-Kobe on time at 7:23am.
Nozomi 275 at Nagoya
After getting off the train, I walked out from the station and proceeded to the backside of the building where the trailhead is located. Walking cross the familiar bridge, hiked toward the Nunobiki waterfalls.
This old looking bridge was always there.(7:33am)
As I walked up the stairway, I took a short break at Medaki, then another moment to take a picture of Odaki.
Nunobiki
Medaki (7:35am)
Nunobiki
Odaki (7:41am)
Hiking up the stairs and get back on paved road. Taking a quick rest at observation point. It's a hazy morning but at least I can see no clouds in the sky and have a nice view of Kobe
View From the Park (7:45am)
Now I walk towards the dam lake and go further toward Mt. Maya. There is one of the oldest concrete bridge where I cross, and going stairs up toward the reservoir.
One of the oldest concrete built bridge in Japan (7:50am)
Nunobiki
Dam (7:54am)
Dam Lake (Nunobiki Reservoir) (7:55am)
Passing by the dam lake, I saw a couple of people with cameras. The trail is soon not accessible with cars. I noticed that my favorite point where tea house with old telephone and telegraph logo is located is changing a little. I wonder how this place looks next year.
Tea house with old telephone and telegraph logo on the route (8:05am)
Continue going up the trail and arrive at the summit of Mt. Maya where observation deck is setup. Although it is a little chilly, I was sweating with t-shirts and shorts. From here, I can see nice view of Kobe and Osaka area.
A view towards Kobe from Mt Maya observation deck (9:20am)
Another view towards Rokko Island
After a short rest, I packed up and resumed my hiking toward the summit. I proceeded a path to former Hotel de Maya, and to the agony hill to come down to the paved road, and soon put my foot back on the nature trail (Komorebi Trail).
When I crossed the Prefecture road 16, I was just by Sangoku Lake. I decided to check out Sangoku Rock this time, then continue walking on a narrow road where many vacation houses are located on both sides, some have company names on them.
Sangoku Iwa (10:20am)
Reaching to the prefecture road 16 again but this time has nice sidewalks. Passing by former Rokko Hotel, and walked next to Rokkosan elementary school toward Kobe Golf Club. Joining on Sunrise Driveway, and swung by Miyoshi Kannon statue before arriving at Rokko Garden Terrace and the parking lots.
Miyoshi Kannon (11:00am)
There are a lot of people in this area as always but the parking lot was not full yet. I think it is due to Expo at Osaka, I see less people compare to one year ago.
Passing by the
Terrace (11:04am)
Cherry blossom still blooming here, former ropeway pillar on the back.
Walked pass the shops and restaurants to get back on trail road. A few more miles from here I can reach the summit. The path is on and off with the prefecture road.
2km more to go (11:49am)
Reached the summit at 11:47am, just before noon so I snapped the summit marker and walked around to seek a place to eat my lunch.
Summit
marker (11:47am)
View
from Summit (12:00pm)
I ate my lunch, and began heading back to the terrace. Now I started to see people coming up the trail toward the summit so I greet them one by one.
I began coming down toward the terrace, noticing there is a spot where you can take picture with a hash tag there. after reaching the golf course, made a left turn toward the cable car station.
Not sure the name of the tree but the pink flowers looked nice (12:21pm)
For Instagram? (12:43pm)
The walk towards the cable car station was quiet as usual, it may be because the path was in the woods and less travelled. I arrived at the cable car station at 13:10, there weren't many people waiting so I quickly bought a ticket and joined the line. The next car runs in 10 minutes so I came in at the right time. Passing the gate and took my seat. The tram moved slowly and steady with many passengers, I get to see the nice view under sunny sky,
The cable car to the foot of mountain (13:16)
Track
Began coming down
Crossing with other car
At the foot of the mountain, I changed to a city bus. It left at 1:37pm with full of passengers and moving slow, making stop at all stations. The ride toward train station is always on steep hill down. finally getting off at Rokkomichi station at 1:55pm.
(1:38pm)
I passed the gate and moved up to the platform. The train going to Sannomiya came at 2:03pm and took 7 minutes to the destination. I just loved the view from the train running. No matter how many times I take the ride, buildings flying by
.
2:03pm at Rokkomichi
At Sannomiya station, I bought some gifts, coming down the stairs to catch a subway train to Shin-Kobe. The one left at 2:24pm, and only two minutes travel to get there.
Exiting the gate and began climbing up a series of stairs, I could take escalator but I took this as a part of hiking. After reaching the JR Shin^Kobe station, I purchased a reserved seat ticket back to Nagoya.
I hopped on the train back to Nagoya. Nozomi 154 left Shin-Kobe on time at 14:42, it was packed so I can only find the isle seat.
Bullet train coming in to Shin-Kobe station at 2:40pm
After getting off the bullet train at 3:47pm, I checked the timetable and found there is a local train leaving soon. I proceeded to the platform in a hurry and hopped on the one leaving at 3:52pm, the train moved under calm sunny sky. I was just relaxing in the train until reaching Ozone at 4:04pm. I walked home and stayed in for the rest of the day after taking a shower to refresh..
Local train at Nagoya station
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