Tonomine Plateau is a beautiful highland area in Kamikawa Town, Kanzaki District, Hyogo Prefecture. Rich in wildflowers and native plants, it is especially famous for its vast expanses of Japanese pampas grass, known as susuki. In autumn, the grasslands turn into a shimmering sea of silver, attracting visitors who come to enjoy the dramatic scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
Located within the Yukihiko-Mineyama Prefectural Natural Park, Tonomine Plateau covers approximately 90 hectares at an elevation of 800–900 meters. Its distinctive landscape includes a geological formation known as a fossil periglacial slope, created by processes associated with freezing and thawing in cold environments.
In autumn, the plateau is blanketed in silvery pampas grass, making it one of Japan’s best-known destinations for viewing extensive susuki grasslands. Wetland areas also support a variety of mountain plants, adding to the area’s botanical appeal.
Before modern building materials became widespread, Tonomine Plateau was used as a source of kaya, grasses traditionally harvested for thatched roofs. To maintain these grasslands, local people carried out controlled burning each spring after the snow melted. This practice helped prevent the land from becoming overgrown with trees and other vegetation, allowing the pampas grass to thrive.
Although harvesting thatching materials is no longer common, controlled burning continues every April to preserve the distinctive grassland ecosystem. This traditional management practice plays an important role in maintaining the open landscape that visitors enjoy today.
Tonomine Plateau became widely known as a filming location after it featured prominently in the 2010 film Norwegian Wood, based on the novel by Haruki Murakami. Its expansive grasslands and atmospheric scenery have since appeared in several other film and television productions.
Notable productions filmed here include the NHK historical dramas Taira no Kiyomori and Gunshi Kanbei, as well as the television drama special Jōiuchi broadcast by TV Asahi. Fans of Japanese films and historical dramas may recognize the plateau’s distinctive landscape.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands from the observation deck. The Tonomine Nature Exchange Center provides a place to learn more about the local environment, while Heike Soba-dokoro Koryuan offers an opportunity to enjoy soba noodles in a natural setting.
Several hiking routes connect Tonomine Plateau with nearby mountain and valley destinations. These trails offer opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside on foot.
The route to Mount Yotaka is approximately 5 kilometers one way and takes about 90 minutes. The route to Fukuchi Valley Recreation Center is also around 5 kilometers one way, with an estimated walking time of 90 minutes. For a longer hike, the trail to Mineyama Plateau and Hotel Relaxia covers approximately 7 kilometers one way and takes around 120 minutes.
Tonomine Plateau hosts seasonal events that celebrate its natural beauty and traditional landscape management. The annual controlled burning is generally held on the first Saturday of April, helping preserve the grasslands for the coming year.
The Tonomine Plateau Moon-Viewing Gathering takes place around mid-September, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the scenery beneath the autumn moon. The Susuki Festival is usually held in mid-October, when the pampas grass is at its most striking and the plateau attracts many visitors.
From Teramae Station or Hase Station on the JR Bantan Line, visitors can take a Shinki Green Bus bound for Kawakami and get off at the final stop. From there, the plateau is approximately a 90-minute walk. A taxi from Hase Station takes around 20 minutes.
During the summer and autumn sightseeing seasons, a direct bus service operates from Teramae Station on selected days, including Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, from July 21 to October 3, with one departure per day. From October 5 to November 10, the service operates twice daily. Reservations are required, and travelers should check the current timetable before setting out.
The surrounding area offers many opportunities to explore the natural landscapes and historical heritage of central Hyogo. Within Yukihiko-Mineyama Prefectural Natural Park, visitors can discover Mineyama Plateau, Kuroiwa Falls, Henmyo Falls, Ounen Falls, Ota Falls, Ashio Falls, Ota Pond, and Fukuchi Valley.
Other nearby destinations include Ikuno Silver Mine, the historic Ginzan Machi Promenade, and Yodel Forest, a countryside park where visitors can enjoy nature and interact with animals.
Tonomine Plateau is a rewarding destination for nature lovers, hikers, photographers, and fans of Japanese cinema. Its open grasslands, seasonal wildflowers, and expansive autumn pampas grass create a landscape that changes beautifully throughout the year. For the most memorable views, visit in autumn, when the silvery susuki grass ripples across the highland in the wind.