[Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture] Just 2 hours from Kyoto and Kobe! A guide to the beautiful natural surroundings of Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture
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Yabu City in Hyogo Prefecture is a town where you can enjoy beautiful nature and can be accessed by train in about two hours from Kyoto or Kobe. This article introduces Yabu City in Hyogo Prefecture, which has many hidden charms, divided into three areas: nature, history, and local specialties!
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We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockle, rock oysters, and white squid in summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. It is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. We would be happy to visit the vast Northern Kinki region many times and provide information that will help you take a railway journey.
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Table of Contents
- What kind of city is Yabu?
- Nature in Yabu City
- History of Yabu City
- Yabu City Specialties
- Access to Yabu City
- How about visiting Yabu City, surrounded by nature?
- There are many other attractions in Yabu City!
- Click here for tourist information about Yabu City!
What kind of city is Yabu?
Yabu City was established on April 1, 2004, with the merger of the four towns of Yoka, Yabu, Oya, and Sekinomiya in Yabu County, Hyogo Prefecture.
The first-class river, the Maruyama River, flows from southeast to northeast in the eastern part of the city, and the Yoka and Sekinomiya areas are located along its tributary, the Yagi River, while the Yabu and Oya areas are located along the Oya River.
Yabu City is dotted with beautiful spots throughout the seasons, such as the " Bekku Terraced Rice Fields" in a scenic spot overlooking Mt. Hyonosen , "Tendaki" selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, Genji fireflies in Okumeji, and "Yabu Shrine" famous for its autumn leaves! 🏔✨
Nature in Yabu City
Yabu City is filled with beautiful, rich and majestic nature, including Hyogo Prefecture's highest mountain, "Mt. Hyonosen", and the prefecture's most famous waterfall, "Tendaki"!
Why not experience the great outdoors in a way that's a little different from other tourist destinations?
It is one of the prefecture's leading outdoor paradises, bustling with people going trekking and mountain climbing in spring and autumn, camping under the clear, star-filled sky in summer, and skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports! ✨
History of Yabu City
Yabu City has a long history, and Jomon period pottery, stone tools, and cave ritual remains have been discovered there, as well as many cultural assets reminiscent of the Kofun period.
During the Edo period, the area along the Maruyama River was a key transportation hub in the Tajima region, including the Sanin Kaido road and boat transport, and raw silk merchants flourished there. It also became a base for trading Tajima beef in the Kinki region.
During the Meiji period, spinning factories and other businesses moved in, and commerce and industry developed. "The Akenobe Mine", which dates back to the Heian period, boasted the largest tin production in Japan!
Be sure to check out the old townscape that still remains today and the historical heritage sites designated as national cultural properties! 👀✅
Yabu City Specialties
The area is filled with a variety of ingredients nurtured by the rich natural environment, including many of its proud delicacies, including "Asakura Sansho pepper" and "Jyamongan rice".
Please use this as a reference for souvenirs! ✨
Asakura Sansho
"Asakura Sansho pepper" originated in Asakura, Yoka City, Yabu Town.
There are records that Toyotomi Hideyoshi mixed burnt Japanese pepper into hot water, described it as "elegant," and that the Ikuno magistrate, Mamiya Naomoto, presented it to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Compared to other types of Japanese pepper, it has a stronger fragrance, larger grains, a mellow taste, and a refreshing, fruity citrus-like aroma.
Jyamongan rice
The serpentine belt where "Jyamongan rice" is grown is rich soil endowed with magnesium and potassium.
Rice grown in an environment permeated with water from the Mt. Hyonosen mountain range, with just the right amount of sunlight and temperature difference between day and night, is characterized by its sweetness, stickiness, and fluffy deliciousness.
Yoka Pork
"Yoka Pork" is a rare brand of pork that is only sold locally because it is raised on a single farm in the midst of lush greenery, with great care and effort.
The meat is tender, and the sweet, fragrant, high-quality fat retains its flavor even when it cools!
Access to Yabu City
If you are coming by car
About 2 hours from Osaka
About 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kobe
〇Osaka/Kobe → (Chugoku Expressway) → Yoshikawa JC → (Maizuru Wakasa Expressway) → Kasuga IC → (Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway) → Yabu IC or Yoka Mt. Hyonosen IC
〇Osaka/Kobe → (Chugoku Expressway) → Fukusaki IC → (Bantan Link Road) → Yabu IC or Yoka Mt. Hyonosen IC
About 2 hours and 30 minutes from Kyoto
Kyoto → National Route 9 → (Kyoto Longitudinal Road) → National Route 9
If you are coming by train
From Osaka: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes by express train (get off at Yoka Station)
From Kyoto: Approximately 2 hours by express train (get off at Yoka Station)
From Kobe: Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes by express train (get off at Yoka Station)
How about visiting Yabu City, surrounded by nature?
Who would have guessed that Yabu City is such a fascinating city?
Yabu City is filled with so much to see that you can't see it all in one visit!
Please come and visit Yabu City!
There are many other attractions in Yabu City!
Yabu city is full of charm all year round! Please see this article for recommended spots in Yabu city.
Click here for tourist information about Yabu City!
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Yabu City Tourism Association (Japanese)
Official Yabu Travel Guide (English)
Yabu City Tourism Association (Japanese)
Visit Yabu (English)
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Yabu City Tourism Association Official Facebook
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Yabu City Tourism Association Official X
We are a voluntary tourism organization that promotes the attractions of the northern part of Kinki, including Tamba, Tajima, Tango, and Wakasa. The flavors of Northern Kinki are not limited to crab, a representative winter sea delicacy, but also oysters, yellowtail, and pufferfish, as well as cockle, rock oysters, and white squid in summer, and mountain flavors such as Tamba chestnuts and Tamba black beans, and the summer fruit, sand dune melon. It is an area where you can enjoy gourmet food all year round. We would be happy to visit the vast Northern Kinki region many times and provide information that will help you take a railway journey.
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