Kannabe Plateau is a beautiful highland area in Hidaka Town, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Located within the San’in Kaigan Geopark and the Hyonosen-Ushiroyama-Nagisan Quasi-National Park, the region is known for its distinctive volcanic landscape, lush scenery, and wide range of outdoor activities.
Each season brings a different attraction, from fresh greenery and hiking in spring and summer to colorful foliage in autumn and skiing in winter. With its volcanic terrain, waterfalls, forest trails, hot springs, and sports facilities, Kannabe Plateau is a popular destination for nature lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
At the heart of Kannabe Plateau stands Mount Kannabe, a 469-meter-high volcanic hill formed by volcanic activity approximately 20,000 years ago. The mountain is a scoria cone made up of volcanic fragments and is associated with basaltic lava flows.
At the summit, a volcanic crater remains, measuring approximately 750 meters in circumference and 40 meters deep. This impressive landform provides a visible reminder of the volcanic forces that shaped the surrounding landscape.
Another distinctive feature of the area is its numerous wind caves, formed by volcanic activity. These natural openings offer a glimpse into the geological processes that created the plateau and contribute to its unusual scenery.
Mount Kannabe is part of the Kannabe volcanic group, which includes several other small volcanoes formed by individual eruptions. These include Mount Otsukue to the northwest, as well as Mount Ota, Mount Buri, and Mount Kiyotaki to the southeast.
The area’s volcanic formations are of particular interest to geologists and nature enthusiasts. The combination of volcanic cones, lava flows, caves, and deeply cut valleys makes Kannabe Plateau an excellent place to appreciate the geological history of northern Hyogo Prefecture.
Lava flowing from Mount Kannabe created the Kannabe Lava Flow, which formed a scenic gorge extending approximately three kilometers from Hattan Falls to Jugo Falls. Along this stretch, more than 30 waterfalls, pools, and other water features create a varied landscape of cascading water and unusual rock formations.
The gorge is celebrated for its geological significance and is described as one of the world’s longest lava-flow gorges, ranked second in length. Walking along the stream offers opportunities to observe how flowing water has shaped the volcanic rock over time.
Among the highlights is Hattan Falls, an approximately 24-meter-high waterfall that plunges in a single vertical drop. A pool of clear blue-green water gathers at its base, creating a striking contrast with the dark volcanic rock and surrounding greenery. The waterfall maintains a generous flow throughout the year, making it an attractive stop in every season.
The Kannabe Lava Flow includes numerous other natural features, such as Tawara Falls, Mabo Gorge, Hyotan Pool, Kama Pool, and Nidan Falls. Each has its own character, from quiet pools surrounded by rock to waterfalls flowing through narrow sections of the gorge.
These landscapes are particularly appealing to hikers and photographers, offering changing views as the trail follows the stream through the forest.
Kannabe Plateau has been known as a skiing destination since the Taisho period (1912–1926). Today, three ski resorts operate in the area: Up Kannabe Ski Resort, Oku-Kannabe Ski Resort, and Manba Ski Resort.
Together, they have helped establish Kannabe as one of the leading winter sports destinations in the Kansai region. The area hosted skiing competitions at the National Winter Sports Festival in 1957 and again in 1965, further strengthening its reputation as a center for winter sports.
In winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding amid the plateau’s open slopes and mountain scenery. Outside the snow season, the same landscape provides a setting for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits.
Since around 1980, Kannabe Plateau has developed beyond its traditional role as a ski destination into a year-round recreation area. Activities now include paragliding, golf, tennis, and mountain biking, alongside winter sports.
During the summer holidays, the plateau is also a popular destination for school sports teams, university clubs, and other groups holding training camps. Its natural environment and range of sports facilities make it suitable for both organized activities and individual adventures.
Completed in 1998, the Tajima Dome is an all-weather sports facility that expanded the area’s recreational possibilities. It provides a venue for sporting activities and events regardless of outdoor weather conditions and has helped attract an even wider range of visitors to Kannabe Plateau.
The plateau offers mountain-biking opportunities at Up MTB Park in Kannabe, while campsites such as Acacia Campground provide a base for enjoying the surrounding countryside. Visitors can combine outdoor activities with walks through the forest, visits to volcanic features, or relaxing stays in the highland environment.
There is plenty to explore around Kannabe Plateau beyond its ski slopes. Major highlights include the crater at the summit of Mount Kannabe, Kannabe Shrine, the Kannabe Thirty-Three Stone Kannon Images, the natural wind caves, and the area’s camping and mountain-biking facilities.
Kannabe Onsen is another attraction, offering a relaxing stop after hiking or other outdoor activities. The plateau’s varied facilities make it easy to plan a visit around nature, sports, sightseeing, or a combination of all four.
Several hiking routes allow visitors to explore the plateau on foot. One route begins at Roadside Station Kannabe Kogen and passes the wind caves before continuing to the volcanic crater at the summit of Mount Kannabe. It provides a rewarding way to experience the area’s geological features and highland scenery.
Another route follows the Kannabe Lava Flow from Tawara Falls to Jugo Falls. Along the way, hikers can discover waterfalls, rock formations, and clear pools shaped by the interaction of ancient lava and flowing water.
These trails offer different perspectives on the landscape, from the broad volcanic features of the plateau to the intimate scenery of its forested streams. Conditions can vary with the season, so suitable footwear and preparation are recommended.
Spring brings fresh greenery and pleasant conditions for walking and exploring the volcanic landscape. In summer, the forested valleys, waterfalls, and streams provide a refreshing contrast to warmer lowland areas. Hiking, camping, paragliding, tennis, golf, and mountain biking are among the activities available during the warmer months.
As the leaves change color, the surrounding mountains and forests take on rich seasonal hues. Autumn is an appealing time for walking the lava-flow trails and enjoying the area’s waterfalls and volcanic scenery.
Winter transforms Kannabe Plateau into a snowy mountain resort. Its three ski areas attract skiers and snowboarders from across the Kansai region, while the surrounding landscape offers a classic highland winter atmosphere.
From Ebara Station on the JR San-in Main Line, take a Zentan Bus serving Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi or routes toward Higashigawachi and Manba. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Get off at the Kannabe Onsen Yutorogi stop, which is about a three-minute walk from the entrance to the Mount Kannabe hiking trail.
Kannabe Plateau is also a convenient base for exploring other natural attractions in northern Hyogo, including Kannabe Gorge, Tadorigawa-daira, Takeno Beach, and Saruo Falls. These nearby destinations make it possible to combine a visit to the plateau with a wider exploration of the Tajima region.
Kannabe Plateau combines a remarkable volcanic landscape with a long history of outdoor recreation. From the crater of Mount Kannabe and the waterfalls of its lava-flow gorge to skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and hot springs, the area offers a wide range of experiences throughout the year.
Whether you are seeking active adventures, scenic walks, family-friendly outdoor activities, or a peaceful escape into nature, Kannabe Plateau is a rewarding destination where geology, seasonal beauty, and regional culture come together.