New🌲Kobe Hike: Arboretum & Beautiful Falls! — Saturday, May 16th 🧭🌳
I apologize for the unusually short notice! It has been an incredibly busy season, but we are finally hitting the trails. Join us. This year, we’re trying something different: a point-to-point route that starts from behind the Rokko Mountain range, goes over the top and then down to Kobe.
By starting from the train station in the "back" of the mountain, we start at a much higher elevation, meaning less climbing and a slightly easier trek than our previous routes!
What to Expect 📈
- Distance & Elevation: Just over 10 kilometers with a total elevation gain of around 400 meters and a descent of 600 meters.
- Estimated Burn: ~1400 calories.
- Trail Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars ⭐). This hike is not overly hard, but it is not for the completely sedentary. While we start high, the 10km distance and rocky sections make this a proper mountain hike.
- Duration: Around 5–6 hours ⏱️, including plenty of small breaks on the uphill parts and a generous hour-long exploration break at the Kobe Municipal Arboretum.
The Highlights ✨
- The Arboretum (Shin-Kobe Municipal Arboretum): Since our route passes directly through here, we’ll spend an hour exploring! Note: There is a 300 yen entry fee which goes directly toward supporting the park.
- See a "cookie" (cross-section) from a 2,000-year-old giant sequoia.
- Spot the Japanese Serow (a unique goat-antelope inhabitant).
- Walk through forest sections that recreate woodland environments from all over the world.
- Futatabi Park & Scenic Descent: After lunch, we’ll stop for a bit at Futatabi Park before beginning our descent. You'll get great views of Kobe city, see the aerial gondolas passing by, and finish at the impressive Nunobiki Falls.
- The Nunobiki Falls: We will descend past a series of waterfalls that are arguably more beautiful and varied than the famous Minoo Falls.
- View of the region: A great views of Kobe. On a clear day you can see across the bay to the Kansai airport and the Ikoma mountain range.
- Wildlife & Nature: Listen for the call of frogs, spot lizards beside the trail, and keep an eye out for local birds. You’ll also see where wild boars have been aerating the soil by digging for roots.
Meeting Point & Schedule 🚉
- Meeting Place: Tanigami Station (at the exit).
- Meeting Time: 10:00 AM.
- Departure: We head out at 10:30 AM sharp.
- Lunch Break: Around 12:00 or 12:30 PM at the Arboretum Lodge. Bring your own food, though there is a cafeteria in the arboratum where we'll stop for lunch. It is not guaranteed to be open.
- The Finish: We expect to be out of the woods and finished at Shin-Kobe Station by 5:00 PM. While the guided portion finishes here, friendships and socializing often linger on—we may hang out at a nearby park or grab food and drinks together in the city!
Logistics & Safety 🎒
- Suitability: Young children, unless they are very experienced, should not join this hike. Additionally, the trail is not suitable for strollers.
- Footwear: Hiking boots are recommended, but court or running shoes will work if that’s all you have. Note: The trail can be soggy in a few spots and rocky in several others.
- Hiking Poles: We can lend you poles and recommend using them. There are a few places where the stability of being a tripod or quadruped is good to have, though they aren't strictly required. If you don't have your own, you can borrow them from us! I'll bring a bunch of extras—just let me know in advance so I can make sure to have a pair for you.
- Water: You'll need at least 1 liter minimum. There is a fountain to refill bottles about halfway through at Futatabi Park.
- Bears: The probability of a bear sighting is extremely low, however, we take precautions by checking local reports regularly, carrying deterrents, and traveling as a group during optimal daylight hours.
- Weather Backup: We'll be watching the forecast closely. If rain forces a cancellation, we will post as soon as possible.
🌍 Who we tend to be 🌏
We are a friendly and diverse group including locals, international visitors, and students. All ages are welcome! We look out for each other and make sure nobody gets left behind 🤝. A few of the "crew" will stay with those on the slower end of the group, especially on the uphill sections, to ensure everyone makes it through comfortably.
Cost 💰
The hike organization itself is completely free. You only need to cover:
- Your own transportation.
- Your food/drinks.
- The 300 yen Arboretum entry fee.
These events give my students practical experience in planning and organizing, and they give me a great excuse to go hiking a lot!
RSVP / Just Show Up!
No formal RSVP is required—feel free to just show up on the day. However, leaving a note here or sending a quick DM helps us get a rough headcount.
Looking forward to exploring Rokko with you!