Hiking on the plateaus of Tonomine kogen 砥峰高原
Tonomine Plateau Plain
Wikimedia Commons
Walk around Himeji in amazing plateaus
The Tonomine Plateaus are located in the heart of Hyogo Prefecture, north of Himeji City. This natural site of 90 hectares deserves a visit and a walk of a few hours, especially in autumn.
Walk between the golden valleys
The Tonomine plateaus (Tonomine kogen in Japanese) are located near the small town of Kamikawa, less than 50 kilometers from the tourist town of Himeji. This exceptional natural site rises 800 to 900 meters above sea level and presents an original and unusual aspect of Japan. These high plateaus are distinguished by these large rolling meadows, covered with tall grass and fir trees, changing colors according to the season.
The plateaus of Tonomine are very popular with photographers who come to capture its particular atmosphere, especially during autumn when the meadows turn red and seem to be on fire. The high hills are then adorned with blankets of mist which give a mystical atmosphere to the place.
The famous tall pampas grasses that give these trays their color are susuki, nicknamed "Chinese reeds" or "elephant grass" because of their large size.
This giant grass changes color with the seasons: it is a beautiful green in summer, and then turns golden and then red in late autumn.
In the past, this fluffy grass was also used to make thatched roofs for farms. In winter, you can also enjoy a unique landscape entirely covered in a blanket of snow.
Tonomina in summer
Flickr Satoshi KAYA
Tononime in autumn
Flickr cotaro70s
Many Japanese also go there for more cultural tourism. Indeed, the filming of the film "The Ballad of the Impossible" by Trần Anh Hùng, a French director, (Noruwei no mori in the original title), released in 2010 took place in these plains during the winter. This dramatic love film is an adaptation of the eponymous novel by the famous Haruki Murakami and was very successful in Japan. Film buffs flock come to visit the original locations of key scenes from the film.
- Read also: The best Japanese films to see
Tonomine is pleasant in all seasons
Still, the walk is pleasant for everyone, film connoisseurs or not. Wooden paths on stilts have been laid out to make their way through the tall grass.
Wait until dusk for the chance to snap some great shots of the setting sun from the observation deck.
Finally, if you are visiting the site between the end of March and the beginning of April, do not miss the spectacle of the burning of the susuki. Indeed, every year, controlled fire is launched in these plains to give new energy to the plants and prevent weeds from settling.
The show is quite impressive, being accompanied by the sound of huge traditional drums.
Tonomine fires in the spring
Flickr cotaro70s
Finally, you will find an on-site restaurant serving sobas as well as the "Tonomine Nature Center" which provides useful information such as detailed maps.
How to get to Tonomine?
To get to Tonomine Plateau, you can take the train from JR Himeji City Station for 43 min (JR Bantan Line to Teramae) and get off at the terminal. You will then have to take a taxi for 20 min.
And even if it is possible to go, in part, by public transport to the plateaus of Tonomine (train from Himeji then taxi), we recommend that you rather rent a car to get there.
Address, timetable & access
Address
Timetable
From JR Himeji Station: 43 min by JR Bantan Line train to Teramae and get off at the terminal. Then take a taxi for 20 min.
