A short day hike to the top of Mount Maya, with a beautiful view of Kobe city.
Best 100 Mountains of Kansai, Japan #21
Mount Maya (Elevation: 702m)
Location: Hyogo Prefecture (Day trip from Osaka, Kobe). (Google Map: )
Walking time: 3hrs 30mins
Distance: 8.1kms total
Hiking Elevation: 722m up, 722m down
Difficulty: Beginner level
Climbing season: March ~ end-November
Notes: Beautiful view. Can take cable car down if you are tired (closed on Tuesdays, except during Summer).
Music by Richard Goldsworthy
ROUTE DIRECTIONS:
Disclaimer: The directions only represent my personal experience. I accept no responsibility for any losses or injuries resulting from following these directions. Hike safe!
Get off at Oji-koen station, walk west along the wall of the park, past the zoo entrance, and turn right at the Museum of Literature. Walk straight ahead up the hill all the way to the end of the (increasingly narrow) road, then cross the bridge to your right, and you’ll reach the hike’s starting point. (Get directions to here: )
Go up the slope to the left, and the hiking trail begins. Walk up and up the concrete slope, cross a few bridges over the stream, and keep following the signs to 摩耶山頂. Warning: there are lots of steps..!
Near the top, at the last ruins, turn left and wrap around to the shrine on top of the mountain, then go straight ahead over the hill, down the slope, to the road. Turn right, and you’re at the top. Enjoy the view!
Coming down, head back down the road towards the path you arrived on, and go down the stairs to your left. Follow the path down, turn left at the junction (look for the 摩耶ケーブル下 signs), then follow the signs all the way down… It’s a little confusing at 2 intersections: at one, you have to turn right and go UP the stairs (even though it feels like the wrong way), and then a minute later, you have to go DOWN the stairs and cross the river (even though the path looks very small). Then climb the stairs when you reach a small dam, down the other side, and you’re done! (End hike point: ). It’s an easy 15 minute walk back to Oji-koen station.
AloJapan.com