Mount Rokkō (六甲山), Japan

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) is very easily accessible from Kobe/Osaka area. I started from Ashiya Station and walked up along the river to Koza Falls. The walk along the river is nice and then you go through a quiet subdivision up to the falls.

Ashiya River

Kōza Falls (高座の滝)  is a small waterfall with a shrine in front of it and is at the base of the trail up Mount Rokko. The water is not deep and you definitely couldn't swim in it.

Kōza Falls (高座の滝) 

Kōza Falls (高座の滝) 

The first part of the hike goes up a rock face. It is a lovely climb through the pine trees and over the rocks.

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

 So many skinks live on the rock face and are catching ants or other insects all over the trails. I believe all of them are Japanese Skink (Plestiodon japonicus).

Japanese Skink (Plestiodon japonicus)

Japanese Skink (Plestiodon japonicus)

Japanese Skink (Plestiodon japonicus)

Looking back out over the city you can see a great view of the city and if it wasn't hazy from the heat you might even be able to see all the way to Osaka. But usually the mountains are surrounded in a haze everywhere in Japan.

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

 At almost the midway point between the falls and the peak there is a hydro tower (the thirds along the way). I had heard that this is a frequent spot of lunch and the smell of food often attracts wild boars but I didn't see any of those today. But I do believe that the food smell also attracts cats. There were three of them either lounging around in the shade or begging for food. As much as I love cats I do think Japan might have a bit of an ecological problem with so many stray cats in their natural areas.

Cats on Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

 From the midway point on up the path is shaded and made of dirt paths winding up the mountain. There is not much of a view but the shade is so appreciated at this time of day. There are a few off shoots to the trail but there are signs present for the most part at every branch and if you just recognize the kanji for Mount Rokko or wherever you want to go then you can easily find your way. I had written down the kanji for Mount Rokko and Arima Onsen to deal with this since it is a very common problem for me on Japanese trails.

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

 

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

 Eventually in steeper parts the trail turns to stairs. Birds are more abundant here and in the clearings you can find Japanese White-eye, Meadow Buntings and various species of Tits.

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

The top of the mountain has a building on it and a cleared area with bare earth allows a bit of a view down to the Arima Onsen area. The views of Kobe city from the top aren't the greatest because of vegetation in the way but there might be better spots to see the view of the city if you go up the road towards Rokko Garden Terrace (六甲ガーデンテラス)

Mount Rokkō (六甲山)

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) facing Ashiya

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) facing Ashiya

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) facing Arima and surrounding mountains

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) facingArima

Mount Rokkō (六甲山) facingArima

From the top I hiked down to Arima Onsen. There is a cable car is you walk up the road but I still wanted to hike more. The hike down was along a dirt trail quite similar to the forested sections on the hike up. There were no great views and in some places the trail was under repairs from landslide damage but in Japan they are very good at marking these areas or putting up signs that the trails are closed at certain points. Arima Onsen(有馬温泉) is your typical onsen inside a buidling, without a view, except that is has a natural (unfiltered) pool in it that is incredibly hot with orange water. After the long hike a soak in the onsen is quite relaxing for the tired muscles but it is very very hot and on a warm day it's not the most refreshing. I would have loved it if onsens also had a cold bath so you could go back and forth.

Arima Gold Onsen(有馬温泉)

Arima Gold Onsen(有馬温泉)

 Taikobashi (有馬川親水公園) is a small park between the gold onsen and the bus stop to get back into Ashiya. There is a 7-11 just beside the park for a nice snack and refreshing drink (or if you need wifi to check the bus schedule like I did).

 Taikobashi (有馬川親水公園)

 Taikobashi (有馬川親水公園)

 Taikobashi (有馬川親水公園)

I was able to catch one of the last buses back to Ashiya and watch as the light faded over Kobe from one of the local man made beaches.

Light fading over Kobe