Mukogawa Valley & Old Fukuchiyama Line Abandoned Railway Hiking

2024年11月10日

Today, I’d like to share my experience hiking along the abandoned railway track of the old Fukuchiyama Line in Hyogo Prefecture.

Table of Contents

The Abandoned Fukuchiyama Line Course

The abandoned Fukuchiyama Line course refers to the old railway section between Namaze and Takedao stations, which was closed in 1986 when a new line was built. Originally, this route was part of the Hankaku Railway connecting Osaka and Maizuru, opened in 1899, and became part of the national railway in 1907. However, due to the need for a double-track and electrified line, the route was relocated, resulting in the abandonment of this section.

Access

You can start your hike to the abandoned Fukuchiyama Line from either JR Namaze Station, Nishinomiya-Najio Station, or Takedao Station.
You can also view the hiking map from the Nishinomiya Tourism Association’s website, which can be helpful for planning.
https://nishinomiya-kanko.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-5-haisenjiki.pdf

Overview of the Abandoned Fukuchiyama Line Course

The hiking course along the abandoned Fukuchiyama Line spans 4.7 km and follows the Mukogawa River. It takes approximately two hours to complete.

The course is mostly flat, but starting from the upstream side at Takedao might make it a bit easier.
However, since there are hot springs near Takedao Station, if you plan to relax in the hot springs afterward, starting from Namaze or Nishinomiya-Najio Station might be a good idea.

The Abandoned Fukuchiyama Line

This time, I began my hike from Namaze Station.
Before heading to the starting station, I stopped by Takarazuka Station to buy a sandwich from Le Mans.

Le Mans

▲ Le Mans’ egg sandwich – filled with fluffy eggs.

▲ It was delicious.

▲ Walking along the Mukogawa River.

The tracks are gone, but the wooden sleepers remain.

▲ There are several tunnels along the route.
The inside of the tunnels is pitch-dark, which can be quite intimidating…

This might be one of the highlights of the course – the retro bridges are perfect for photos.

▲ Takedao Station is located inside a tunnel, which is quite unique.

Precautions

Here are a few precautions for hiking the abandoned Fukuchiyama Line course:

• No toilets along the course.
There are toilets at the entrances on both the Takedao and Namaze sides, so be sure to prepare beforehand.

• Gravel and wooden sleepers.
The course is mostly gravel, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Also, since there are wooden sleepers, it’s not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.

• Tunnels
There are several tunnels on the course. Since there’s no lighting inside, you’ll need a flashlight. While a smartphone light can work, a brighter flashlight is recommended for safety.

Conclusion

This time, I introduced the abandoned Fukuchiyama Line hiking course in Mukogawa Valley. With tunnels and more, it has a bit of an adventure feel, making it a fun hiking course. Definitely give it a try!