Kikuseidai is a place where you can see Osaka Bay and the cityscape of Kobe from a hill at an altitude of 700m. At night, its reputation is even higher, and it is considered one of Japan’s top three night view spots. You can see unimaginable beauty as if a jewelry box has been turned upside down.
This time, we will introduce in detail Kikuseidai in Hyogo Prefecture, a night view worth 10 million dollars that can be seen from an altitude of 700 meters.
①What is Japan’s three major night view spots [Kikuseidai]?
Kikuseidai is an observation plaza located at the top of Mt. Maya in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Kikuseidai is one of the best night view spots in Kobe.From here, you can see a far-reaching view of the area between Kobe and Hanshin, Osaka Bay, the Kii Peninsula, Awaji Island, and Shikoku. Kikuseidai is one of Japan’s top three night views, along with Mt. Hakodate in Hokkaido and Mt. Inasa in Nagasaki.
It is easily accessible from the station by connecting to the Maya Cable and Maya Ropeway. You can also drive from the city center to Kikuseidai on a mountain road in 30 to 40 minutes from the station. From the parking lot, walk for about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the observation plaza. The restrooms at Kikuseidai are kept clean and there are multiple locations, so you can use them without having to wait.
The stairs to the observation deck are a little dark, so it’s best to have a light on.
▲Of course you can also see Kobe Port Tower.
➁History of Kikuseidai
Here we will introduce the history of Kikuseidai in detail.
❶In fact, in the past, Kikuseidai was an anti-aircraft gun position.
Currently, Kikuseidai is famous as one of Japan’s top three night view spots, but the reason it was built was to create an anti-aircraft gun base.Originally, there were two small mountains, Taroboyama and Jiroboyama, where the observation plaza of Kikuseidai was located.Kikuseidai was built as an anti-aircraft gun base during World War II.It was the Imperial Army at the time that built an anti-aircraft gun position on Kikuseidai.
The Imperial Army carved out two small mountains, Mt. Tarobo and Mt. Jirobo, and flattened them to their current level so that they could be used as bases for anti-aircraft guns.This is the reason why the observation plaza at Kikuseidai is completely flat.The purpose of building the anti-aircraft gun position was to shoot down the American B-29 bomber.At that time, B-29s and Grumman fighter jets were flying over Kobe and Osaka, dropping incendiary bombs and causing extensive damage.
However, what was installed on Kikuseidai was a small anti-aircraft gun.As a result, no matter how many shots they fired, the bullets did not reach them, and instead they were bombed by B-29s and strafed by Grumman machine guns, and the war ended with little to no success.Even today, deep in the forest on the mountain to the west, the foundations of the gun emplacement, shell storage area, and barracks can still be seen.However, the observation plaza does not have any traces of those days left.
❷Reborn as Oku Maya Amusement Park.
Until the end of the war, Kikuseidai was a base for anti-aircraft guns, but after the war it was reborn as the Okumaya Amusement Park.Oku-Maya Amusement Park is an amusement park developed by the Kobe City Transportation Bureau in conjunction with the opening of the Maya Ropeway.
There is no trace of it now, but there was a Mount Coaster, a skating rink, and an outdoor stage.
The former “Maya Kanko Hotel” will also be built halfway up Mt. Maya.However, it could not compete with Hanshin Park or Takarazuka Family Land, and all Oku-Maya amusement parks disappeared in the early 1970s.It was then reborn as an observation plaza as it is today.
➂Kikuseidai tourist attractions
Here we will introduce the sightseeing spots of Kikuseidai in detail.
❶Maya View Terrace 702
Maya View Terrace 702 is a shop complex that includes a cafe and an outdoor goods shop inside the Maya Ropeway Hoshi-no-Eki station building.You can take a break with snacks, sweets, and drinks at the cafe.
❷maya view line
Maya View Line is a cable car and ropeway that connects the base of Mt. Maya to the summit. The way to ride is to take the Maya Cable from the station at the foot of Mt. Maya, then transfer to the Maya Ropeway at Niji no Eki, which takes you all the way to the top of the mountain. The cable car and ropeway are said to be very popular sightseeing vehicles among girls because they are cute.
❸Ruins tours are held and are extremely popular with ruin fans.
Currently, the Old Maya Kanko Hotel'' is gaining popularity on Mt. Maya. Extremely popular among ruin fans, the former Maya Kanko Hotel is commonly known as the "Queen of Ruins." In addition, theMt. Maya Ruins Guided Walk” is currently being held to tour the Maya Ruins, and it has become a ruin spot visited by many ruin fans. However, it seems that you cannot enter the building now.
④Access information
Here we will introduce access information to Kikuseidai. The address of Kikuseidai is 2-2 Mayayama-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
〇Access information to Maya View Line.
| Take city bus 18 from JR Sannomiya Station, Shin-Kobe Station, or Rokkomichi Station ⇒ (about 25 minutes) ⇒ Get off at Maya Cable Shita Station |
〇Access information from Maya Cable Station to Kikuseidai.
| Maya Cable Station ⇒ (about 5 minutes) ⇒ Niji-no-Eki ⇒ (about 5 minutes) ⇒ Hoshi-no-Eki ⇒ Kikuseidai |
〇Access information from JR Sannomiya Station to Kikuseidai by car.
| JR Sannomiya Station ⇒ National Route 2 ⇒ Nunobiki JCT ⇒ Tennoya IC ⇒ Arima Kaido ⇒ Nishi Rokko Driveway ⇒ Okumaya Driveway ⇒ Mt. Maya Kikuseidai (about 40-50 minutes) |
Summary.
This time, we introduced Kikuseidai in Hyogo Prefecture, a night view worth 10 million dollars that can be seen from an altitude of 700 meters. Kikuseidai in Hyogo Prefecture is one of Japan’s three major night view spots, offering a panoramic view of the area between Kobe and Hanshin, Osaka Bay, the Kii Peninsula, Awaji Island, and Shikoku.
Until now, the night view of Kikuseidai has entertained many people, including couples, families, and tourists. It will continue to excite visitors on an overwhelming scale. When you visit Hyogo Prefecture, we highly recommend that you stop by Kikuseidai. In winter, the air is clearer and the night view looks more beautiful, but I think it’s colder due to the higher altitude and the wind. Please take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold and enjoy the night view at its best.
▲Kikuseidai
▲Official site
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