◆Yakuno Highlands
Located in the caldera of an ancient volcano on the border of Kyoto and Hyogo Prefectures, the 300-meter-high plateau of the Yakuno Highlands is a brilliant place to enjoy the unkai in the early morning. The best place in the area to enjoy the view is Hozan-koen Park (宝山公園). The park is about 15 minutes’ walk northwest of Kami-Yakuno Station (see following for transport details). Those feeling energetic can hike up to the summit of Mt. Takura (田倉山), which is famous for the views of what the Japanese call “sha,” the effect of columns of sunlight shining through broken clouds (best observed in the late afternoon and early evening).
Access:
Yakuno Highlands are located about 10 kilometers west of the Fukuchiyama in northern Kyoto Prefecure. Kami-Yakuno is the most convenient train station for the area, and it’s about a 25-minute journey on the JR Sagano-San’in Line from Fukuchiyama. While the area is accessible by train, a rental car will certainly make exploring easier.
Yakuno Highland
The Yakuno Highland, located in Yakuno-cho, Fukuchiyama City in the northwest of Kyoto Prefecture, is a highland area created by a volcanic eruption of the prefecture’s sole volcano, Mt. Takura (Mt. Takara).
The Yakuno district is located on the border with Hyogo Prefecture, surrounded by nature and mountains of some 700 meters in height.
In spring, many people come to see the weeping cherry trees at the Kyoto Prefectural Tree Planting Center, commonly known as the “weeping cherry of Yakuno-cho.”
Once the cherry blossom season has ended, Shirai Omachi Wisteria Park in neighboring Asaku City, Hyogo Prefecture sees a bloom of wisteria the greatest of its size in the mountains here. In summer, the Yakuno area becomes a retreat from the heat, and in autumn the leaves are a colorful sight. With its beautiful natual scenery throughout the four seasons, the Yakuno area is visited by many throughout the year.
At Nosho-no-sato Yakuno Roadside Station in particular, visitors can enjoy some of the best of Woodland Kyoto with its hot springs, overnight accommodation, activities, dining, and shopping.
