URA*KOBE Japan’s Rural History and Hiking

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7 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English

Step into Japan's timeless countryside—just a short ride from Kobe.
Yamada Village, in the northern Rokko foothills, has a farming history dating back to the Yayoi period. Once a major rice supplier to Kobe, its terraced fields and thatched-roof houses still reflect a lifestyle rooted in nature and Shinto beliefs.
This tour explores three cultural gems: make rice balls at the 100-year-old Satoyama Experience House (Kerekele), visit the Shimotaniue Kabuki Stage at Amatsuhikone Shrine, and walk through the peaceful Rokujo Hachimangu Shrine, where Shinto and Buddhism coexist.
The tour begins in Sannomiya with your guide. Pickup from Osaka is also available upon request.

*In Japanese, "URA" means the "back" or "hidden part," which is the opposite of "OMOTE", meaning the front. It's like something quietly sitting just behind or right next to a place. So, "URA*KOBE" is about a village that's like a special, untouched treasure, quietly found on the "URA" side of the modern big city of Kobe.

What's Included

Public Transportation fee
Admission Fee
You can enjoy a hands-on experience making rice balls.
Hotel Pickup
National Licensed English Speaking Guide. Please let us know if you prefer any other languages.
Personal Expenses

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

The guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby with your name sign. Please inform about your pick up details in advance.

Itinerary

Duration: 7 hours (approximately)
  • 1

    You will take a train or a bus to Minotani Station.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 2

    Walk through the scenic satoyama backed by the Tanjo mountains and visit the Shimotanigami Rural Kabuki Stage inside Amatsuhikone Shrine. This thatched-roof stage, still used for local festivals and rituals, preserves a unique form of kabuki once performed as a sacred offering. Discover the deep connection between nature, faith, and sustainable rural life.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3

    Visit the Satoyama Experience House (known locally as Sumibiraki House Kerekele), a beautifully restored 100-year-old farmhouse in the hills of northern Kobe. Join a hands-on experience making onigiri (rice balls) with locally grown rice. Through this simple yet heartfelt activity, learn about rural traditions and the sustainable lifestyle rooted in this region.

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 4

    Rokujō Hachimangū Shrine, located in the heart of Yamada Town, dates back nearly 1,000 years. Surrounded by a quiet forest, the site exudes a timeless atmosphere. Unique for its coexistence of Shinto and Buddhist structures, the shrine reflects Japan’s once-unified religious traditions. The deity enshrined here is also worshipped at the summit of nearby Mt. Tanjo

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5

    You will take a train or a bus to Sannomiya Station.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Supplied by MY Travel Consulting

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Tags

Nature and Wildlife Tours
Full-day Tours
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Rail Tours
Walking Tours
Nature Walks
New Product

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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