Most visitors who reach northern Hyogo go straight to Kinosaki Onsen and back. Just inland, about half an hour’s drive away, is a place almost no foreign guidebook covers: the Kannabe Highlands, a rolling plateau around a small extinct volcano where people from Kobe and Osaka come to ski in winter, paraglide and hike in summer, and soak in a roadside hot spring all year round.
It’s exactly the kind of local Hyogo that the eatmono team, which is based in the prefecture, wants to share now that Expedia has named Hyogo No. 2 of its 2027 Destinations of the Year. This guide explains what the Kannabe Highlands are, what to do in each season, and how to fit them into a trip to Kinosaki, Izushi or Takeda.
What Are the Kannabe Highlands?
A volcano you can walk around
Kannabe Kogen (Kannabe Highlands) is an upland area in the Hidaka district of Toyooka City, in the north of Hyogo. At its heart is Mt Kannabe, a small, neat cone-shaped volcano that last erupted many thousands of years ago. It’s low, at under 500 meters, and a short trail takes you up to the rim of its crater. You can walk around the rim and look down into the grassy bowl, with views across the plateau to the surrounding mountains.
A highland resort for Kansai
For decades, Kannabe has been one of the Kansai region’s go-to highland resorts. Its small ski areas are among the closest to Osaka and Kobe, its meadows and sports fields host school and university sports camps in summer, and its family-run inns (minshuku) and pensions have welcomed generations of skiers. It’s not glamorous, and that’s the appeal: this is where Kansai locals go, not where tour buses go.
Where it is
The highlands lie south-west of Kinosaki Onsen and north of Takeda, in the Tajima region of Hyogo. The nearest train station is Ekoku on the JR San’in Line, and the nearest expressway exit is Hidaka-Kannabe-Kogen on the Kitakinki-Toyooka Expressway.
Things to Do in the Kannabe Highlands
Walk the crater rim of Mt Kannabe
The signature activity. From the trailhead near the base of the mountain, it’s a short but steep climb to the crater rim, then an easy loop around it. Allow about an hour for the round trip at a relaxed pace. Go early on a clear morning for the best views, and wear proper shoes; the path can be slippery after rain.
Skiing and snowboarding in winter
Kannabe has a cluster of small ski areas on the slopes of the highlands. They’re compact compared with Hokkaido or Nagano, with family-friendly runs, ski schools and rental shops, and they’re a realistic weekend trip from Kobe or Osaka. The season depends on snowfall but usually runs from around late December into March. Check each ski area’s official site for current opening dates and snow conditions.
Paragliding
Outside the snow season, the open slopes become one of western Japan’s best-known paragliding spots. Schools offer tandem flights and introductory courses for beginners, so you can fly over the plateau with an instructor without any experience. Book ahead and check that your operator offers English support.
Hiking, waterfalls and nature
Around the highlands, forest trails lead to waterfalls, lava formations and viewpoints. The landscape tells the story of the volcano: lava once flowed down the valleys toward the river below. In early summer the meadows are green and fresh; in autumn the beech and maple forests change color.
Camping and outdoor sports
Kannabe has campgrounds, glamping sites, tennis courts and sports fields, and it’s a popular summer escape because it’s noticeably cooler than the cities on the coast. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s an easy place for a relaxed outdoor day.
Soak at the Michi-no-Eki hot spring
Michi-no-Eki Kannabe Kogen is a roadside rest stop with a hot spring bath, a shop selling local produce, and places to eat. It’s the easiest base for a short visit, especially if you’re driving between Kinosaki and Takeda. A newer roadside hotel nearby has made it easier to stay overnight without booking a traditional inn.
Kannabe by Season
- Winter (late December to March): skiing, snowboarding and snowy onsen evenings. Combine with crab season in Kinosaki.
- Spring (April to May): fresh green meadows, the start of paragliding season, and quiet trails.
- Summer (June to August): cooler highland air, camping, sports camps and paragliding.
- Autumn (September to November): clear skies for the crater walk, autumn leaves, and the Takeda sea of clouds season just to the south.
How to Get to the Kannabe Highlands
By train and bus
Take a JR limited express on the San’in Line (the Kounotori from Osaka, or services from Kyoto) to Ekoku Station. From Ekoku, local buses run up to the Kannabe area in about 20 to 30 minutes. Buses are not frequent, so check the timetable before you set out, and expect extra ski buses or shuttles in winter on some days.
By car
Driving is the most flexible option. Use the Kitakinki-Toyooka Expressway to the Hidaka-Kannabe-Kogen exit. From Kinosaki Onsen, it’s roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive. In winter, you’ll need snow tires or chains.
By tour
In winter, ski bus packages run from Osaka and Kobe to Kannabe. At other times of year, a rental car from Toyooka or Kinosaki is the easiest way to combine Kannabe with nearby sights.
Combine Kannabe with Northern Hyogo
Kinosaki Onsen
The classic onsen town on the Sea of Japan side, with seven public bathhouses and crab dinners in winter. Stay in Kinosaki and visit Kannabe as a half-day trip. See our Kinosaki Onsen travel guide.
Izushi
A compact castle town famous for sara soba, buckwheat noodles served on small plates. It’s a short drive from Kannabe and makes a perfect lunch stop.
Takeda Castle Ruins
To the south, the stone walls of Takeda Castle Ruins appear to float on a sea of clouds on autumn mornings. See our Takeda Castle Ruins guide.
A two-day northern Hyogo loop by car
- Day 1: Dawn at Takeda Castle Ruins, lunch in Izushi, afternoon crater walk at Mt Kannabe and a soak at the Michi-no-Eki onsen. Overnight in Kinosaki.
- Day 2: Morning bath-hopping in Kinosaki, then the San’in coast before heading back to Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe.
Where to Stay
Kannabe has family-run minshuku and pensions popular with skiers and sports groups, plus a modern roadside hotel near the Michi-no-Eki. Kinosaki Onsen, half an hour away, has the widest choice of ryokan and is the best base if you want an onsen-town experience.
Find a place to stay in Kannabe → Find a ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen →Practical Tips
- Kannabe is rural. Carry some cash, and don’t expect late-night restaurants.
- Winter driving requires snow tires or chains; road conditions can change quickly.
- English signage is limited outside the main facilities. Offline maps and a translation app help.
- Ski areas, paragliding schools and campsites operate seasonally. Confirm opening dates on their official sites before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kannabe worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see a local side of Hyogo that few international visitors reach. It pairs well with Kinosaki Onsen, Izushi and Takeda.
Can beginners ski at Kannabe?
Yes. The ski areas are small and family-oriented, with gentle runs, rentals and ski schools.
Can you climb Mt Kannabe?
Yes. A short, steep trail leads to the crater rim, and you can walk all the way around it. Allow about an hour.
How far is Kannabe from Kinosaki Onsen?
About 30 to 40 minutes by car. By public transport, you’ll need a train to Ekoku and a local bus.
Related Hyogo Guides
→ Hyogo Travel Guide 2027: the complete hub
→ Kinosaki Onsen Travel Guide
→ Takeda Castle Ruins Guide
→ Best Time to Visit Hyogo
Conclusion
The Kannabe Highlands are the Hyogo that locals know: a little volcano, wide skies, a roadside onsen and slopes full of Kansai families in winter. Walk the crater rim on a clear morning, come in winter for skiing or summer for paragliding, and pair it with Kinosaki, Izushi or Takeda for a northern Hyogo trip that almost nobody else is taking.
Photo credits: View of Mount Kannabe from Michi-no-Eki Kannabe Kogen: 663highland, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mount Kannabe in the Kannabe Highlands, Toyooka, Hyogo: 663highland, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).