2026年2月20日

The Tea Houses of Rokkosan

🍵 A Mountain Tradition of Rest, Food, and Community

Rokkosan is famous for its views, hiking trails, and seasonal beauty, and as the weather gets warmer and with Spring just around the corner, it is time to start planning some nice hikes on the trails. Tucked along these paths is another long standing tradition that defines the mountain just as much: the tea houses of Rokkosan.

 

These tea houses are not simply places to grab a drink. For generations, they have served as rest stops, meeting points, and destinations in their own right, welcoming hikers, locals, and visitors with warmth, food, and conversation.

 

To help people rediscover this unique culture, a new Rokkosan Tea House Guide Map has been created, highlighting tea houses across the mountain and suggesting routes that connect them.

 

The printed map is available through the Rokkosan Visitor Center, Guide House, and related facilities, making it easy for both first time visitors and seasoned hikers to explore new routes. Please note that while it is in Japanese the map is very useful and smartphone translation apps can help change the text into a language that will work for you.

 

You can also download a PDF version of the map here.

🌿 More Than a Break, A Destination

Historically, tea houses on Rokkosan developed alongside hiking culture. Rather than being places you stop only when tired, many hikers plan routes specifically to visit certain tea houses.

 

Each one reflects the personality of its owners and its surroundings. Some specialize in udon, curry rice, or handmade dumplings. Others focus on coffee, sweets, or simple snacks enjoyed with mountain air and quiet views. Prices are generally reasonable, making tea house hopping a relaxed and accessible way to explore the mountain.

 

According to the guide map introduction, tea houses are places to enjoy hobbies such as reading, sketching, photography, and conversation, turning hiking into a slower and more thoughtful experience.

🥾 Suggested Tea House Routes

The Tea House Guide Map introduces several model hiking courses, each designed around visiting multiple tea houses:

 

• West Rokko and Sea View Route: A scenic course with sweeping views over Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay, paired with tea houses that reward the climb.
• Mount Takao and Tea House Hiking Route: A beginner friendly course featuring easily accessible paths and a high concentration of tea houses.
• Hidden Paths and Tea House Route: A quieter trail that links lesser known tea houses through forested valleys.
• Ichioji to National Treasure Sakuragaoka Route: A cultural walk combining history, shrines, and tea house stops.
• Full North South Traverse: A longer challenge crossing Rokkosan from Arima to the southern foothills, using tea houses as rest points along the way.

 

Distances range from short half day walks to full day hikes, allowing visitors to choose routes that match their fitness and schedule.

🏡 A Wide Variety of Tea Houses

The map introduces many individual tea houses, each with its own character:

 

• Long established mountain tea houses serving classic noodles and rice dishes.
• Family run spots known for homemade sweets and desserts.
• Tea houses near waterfalls, shrines, or scenic overlooks.
• Newer cafes blending traditional tea house culture with modern menus.

 

Some tea houses operate only on weekends or have seasonal hours, which adds to their charm and encourages visitors to check ahead and plan thoughtfully.

🗺️ A Tool for Sustainable Mountain Enjoyment

The Hyogo Prefecture has emphasized that the Tea House Guide Map is also part of a broader effort to promote safe, enjoyable, and sustainable use of Mt. Rokko. By encouraging people to walk established routes and rest at staffed locations, tea houses help reduce risk while supporting local businesses and preserving hiking culture.

🍃 Tea Houses as the Heart of Rokkosan

In many ways, tea houses are the soul of Rokkosan. They connect people to the mountain, to each other, and to the history of hiking in Kobe.

 

Whether you are climbing for views, walking for exercise, or simply enjoying a slow afternoon in nature, visiting a tea house turns a hike into a story worth remembering.

 

Next time you head up Rokkosan, pick up a copy of the Tea House Guide Map, choose a route, and enjoy the mountain one cup at a time.

 

See you on Rokkosan!