Mount Ohya is a 753.5-meter-high mountain in Inagawa Town, Kawabe District, Hyogo Prefecture. Located in the Hokusetsu mountain range and the Tamba Highlands, it is known for its rich natural environment and sweeping views. The mountain is also one of the 50 Mountains of Hometown Hyogo, a selection of notable mountains in the prefecture. Visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the changing seasons, from spring flowers to autumn foliage and clear night skies.
At an elevation of 753.5 meters, Mount Ohya offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama. On clear days, visitors can see the Hokusetsu mountains, Mount Rokko, the mountains around Sasayama and the Tamba region of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as the Seto Inland Sea and the urban landscape of Osaka.
A third-order triangulation point marks the summit, and an orientation board helps visitors identify the surrounding landmarks. The mountain is also accessible by car to a point near the summit, where parking is available, making it possible to enjoy a short walk and the views without undertaking a long climb.
Seasonal flowers add color to the mountain slopes. Azaleas, the official flower of Inagawa Town, and hydrangeas brighten the landscape in spring and early summer. In autumn, Japanese silver grass, bush clover, and colorful foliage create a different atmosphere. The mountain is also dotted with more than 20 varieties of large and unusually shaped rocks, which can be explored along a designated Rock Exploration Course.
Near the summit lies Ohya Alps Land, a nature-oriented recreational area where visitors can enjoy camping, astronomy, and the mountain scenery. The site includes a campground and the Inagawa Astronomical Observatory, known as Astropia.
Astropia features a planetarium where visitors can lie back on the floor to watch the stars projected overhead, as well as a telescope with a 50-centimeter aperture for observing celestial objects. Astronomical observations are held throughout the year, and the observatory attracts many visitors during major meteor showers.
The elevated location provides excellent views not only of the night sky but also of the sunset. Under suitable weather conditions, visitors may even see a sea of clouds spreading across the surrounding mountains, creating a memorable landscape.
The town established the campground around 1985. It was originally open for visitors to come and go freely, pitch tents, and enjoy barbecues. Its convenient access and natural surroundings made it popular with people from Inagawa and beyond.
However, as visitor numbers increased, litter became a serious problem. Despite the rule requiring visitors to take their rubbish home, waste was repeatedly left in the campground and surrounding areas, where no public rubbish collection point was provided. Other problems included lighting fires directly on the grass and cutting branches from trees without permission.
In response, Inagawa Town and the local Kashihara Forestry Cooperative, which managed the site under a designated management arrangement, agreed to temporarily close the campground from January 1, 2019. Signs were installed to remind visitors to take their rubbish home, warning that continued misuse could make free access impossible. Although the grounds remained accessible after the closure, camping and the use of fire were prohibited.
In October 2019, the local tourism association organized a cleanup event involving cooperation between the municipal government and residents. A trial reopening began in December 2020, with visitors required to apply on site. Because operating arrangements may change, visitors should check the latest local information before planning an overnight stay or barbecue.
In April 2019, Mount Ohya became the first location in the Hanshin region to be designated a Lover’s Sanctuary, a recognition given to romantic places considered ideal for proposals and special moments between couples.
A public design competition was held for a commemorative monument. The winning design was developed through community meetings organized by Inagawa Link, a local community group, and the monument was officially unveiled in November 2020.
Named Two Rings, the monument consists of two interlocking rings shaped like wedding bands. They symbolize connection and eternity, expressing the hope that visitors will cherish what lies beyond the meeting point of two circles—the relationships and bonds that bring people together. The monument has become a meaningful spot for couples visiting the mountain.
By train and bus: From Nissei-Chuo Station on the Nose Electric Railway, take a Hankyu Bus to Kashihara bus stop. The walk from the bus stop to the mountain takes approximately 60 minutes.
By car: Access the mountain via Hyogo Prefectural Route 12, the Kawanishi–Sasayama Line, heading toward Kashihara. Please note that roads within Mount Ohya are one-way, so follow the designated traffic direction.
Mount Ohya offers a combination of sweeping mountain views, unusual rock formations, seasonal flowers, and opportunities for astronomy. Whether visiting for a daytime walk, a sunset panorama, or a night beneath the stars, the mountain provides a refreshing escape into nature. The Two Rings monument adds a romantic touch, making Mount Ohya an appealing destination for hikers, nature lovers, stargazers, and couples alike.