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有馬温泉と神戸の桜の名所

厳しかった今年の冬ともお別れです。例年、有馬温泉では、3月の下旬に「桜前線」が到来し、4月上旬までお花見をお楽しみいただけます。有馬ナビ弥生号では、心ときめく春の到来に合わせて、有馬温泉および、西宮市の甲山から神戸市須磨区まで東西約25kmに及ぶ六甲山系に沿って点在するお花見スポットを一挙にご紹介致します。
今年の春休みに、ご入学やご卒業などの記念イベントとして家族旅行をご計画される際には、「お子様に優しい宿、元湯龍泉閣」にぜひお越し下さい。
大勢のお客様に全国各地から神戸～有馬温泉にお越しいただけますよう、龍泉閣スタッフ一同お待ち申し上げております。

"Ryuusenkaku" web site in English
Thank you for visiting our web site. We publish a monthly newsletter “Arima Navi” on this web site featuring hot topics for sightseeing in the Kobe, Mount Rokko, and Arima Onsen areas.
Bidding farewell to this year’s bitter cold, our thoughts turn to spring and the arrival of cherry blossoms along the Japanese archipelago. In most years at Arima Onsen, we delight in the splendor of cherry blossoms from the end of March until around mid-April.
To meet the heart’s palpations for spring, this issue of Navi presents all at once the best spots for viewing cherry blossom in Arima as well as a 25 km wide area from Nishinomiya City’s Mount Kabuto to Suma Ward in Kobe along the Mount Rokko mountain range.
During this year’s spring holidays, we ask that you include “Motoyu Ryuusenkaku, the Child-friendly Inn” as an event in your plans for a family trip to celebrate admission into school or graduation.
All of the staff at Ryuusenkaku are eagerly waiting to serve the many visitors from around the world coming to the Kobe-Arima Onsen.

The Management
Ryuusenkaku
ryuusen@skyblue.ocn.ne.jp

阪急バス有馬案内所の向い側にある石段を上ると直ぐに善福寺に着きます。善福寺は、仏教の名僧として今でも崇敬されている行基が8世紀に開基した、由緒あるお寺です。境内には、樹齢260年を超える、見事な一重のしだれ桜が4本あり、毎年4月上旬には、大勢の花見客の目を楽しませてくれます。この桜は、‘神戸市民の木’、および‘神戸の名木’に指定されています。

Zenpukuji Temple
You can quickly access Zenpukuji Temple by climbing the stone steps on the side facing the Hankyu Bus Arima Information Office.
Founded in the 8th century by Gyoki, a monk whose name is venerated in Buddhism even today, Zenpukuji Temple is a temple steeped in history and lineage. Majestically standing in the temple’s compound are four cherry blossom trees exceeding 260 years in age. Every year in the beginning of April, visitors come in large numbers to enjoy the beautiful sight of these trees in bloom. These cherry blossom trees are called the “trees of the Kobe people” as well as “Kobe’s prized trees.”

善福寺から南東方向に数分歩くと、有馬保育園に併設された林渓寺があります。林溪寺は、1601年の開基と伝えられる古刹です。境内に「未開紅」と名づけられた、樹齢200年以上の紅梅がありますが、毎年3月下句になると、深い紅色の美しい八重の花が咲きます。古くから、この梅の実を食べると子宝に恵まれるという言い伝えがあり、別名、「妊娠の梅」とも呼ばれています。また、この境内には、枝垂れ桜の見事な古木もあり、梅の花に続いて、桜の花も楽しめます。

Rinkeiji Temple
You can reach Rinkeiji Temple, which is adjacent to the Arima Nursery School, by a few minutes walk to the southeast of Zenpukuji Temple.
Rinkeiji is an old, historical temple founded in 1601. The compound has a red blossom plum tree named Mikaiko that is more than 200 years old. Every year at the end of March, the beautiful crimson flowers blossom in multiple layers. From ancient times, it is said that those that eat the fruit of the plums will be blessed with a child. For this reason, the plums are called the “plums of the nymphs“.
Ensuing the plum blossom-viewing season, the exquisite cherry blossoms of long-standing weeping cherry trees can be seen on the temple grounds.

有馬の中央部の寺町界隈にある温泉寺 (薬師堂) の桜の花も大変きれいです。有馬温泉の開祖とされる仏教の名僧、行基によって、8世紀に建立された古刹です。その後、約800年前に有馬温泉を再興した名僧、仁西を中興の祖と仰いでいます。現在の建物は、1782年に上棟されたものです。

Onsenji Temple (Yakushido)
The cherry blossoms trees at Onsenji Temple (Yakushido), located in the proximity of an area of many temples in central Arima, are also particularly beautiful.
Gyoki, the name of a famous Buddhist monk who founded Arima Onsen, built this old venerable temple in the 8th century. Another monk who deeply respected Gyoki followed in Gyoki’s footsteps by restoring Arima Onsen in the 12th century. The current buildings were rebuilt and consolidated in 1782.

	温泉寺の直ぐ北東にある念仏寺は、太閤秀吉の正室‘ねね’の別邸跡と言われる、見晴らしのいい高台にあります。現存の本堂は1712年の建立で、有馬温泉では最古の建造物です。庭園には、樹齢250年という沙羅双樹の大樹があり、‘沙羅樹園’と呼ばれています。初夏になると、沙羅の花が美しく咲き、毎年6月下旬には、念仏寺で「沙羅の花と一弦琴の鑑賞会」が開催されます。前庭にある枝垂れ桜は、艶やかなピンク色に咲き、お花見のシーズン中は見物客が絶えません。
	Nenbutsuji Temple Located nearby in an area northeast of Onsenji Temple, Nenbutsuji Temple has been called the imprint of the villa from Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s wife “Nene” and has a spectacular view of the entire area. The main hall was built in 1712 and is the oldest building in the Arima Onsen area. Its garden, called the Sal Tree Garden, features a sal tree whose age is over 250 years. Each year in late June when summer is just beginning in Japan, the tree displays its beautiful flowers, and there is an appreciation festival held at the temple for the Sal flower and the ichigen-kin, a one-stringed instrument.

念仏寺に隣接する極楽寺は、中世の遺跡が発掘されたお寺として有名ですが、この境内にも大きな桜の木があり、春休みに遺跡を訪れる観光客の眼を楽しませています。阪神・淡路大震災で倒壊した極楽寺の庫裏（くり：厨房）の建て替えを行なおうとした際に、400年以上前の遺跡が発見されました。調査の結果、太閤秀吉が造らせた「湯山御殿（ゆのやまごてん）」の一部と見られる湯ぶねや庭園の跡と判明し、1999年、神戸市が「蒸し風呂」と「岩風呂」の遺構をそのまま取り込んだ博物館「太閤の湯殿館」をオープンしました。

Gokurakuji Temple (Hideyoshi’s Bath Museum)
Gokurakuji Temple adjoins the Nenbutsuji Temple and is famous for the excavation of its medieval ruins. On the grounds there is a large cherry tree with a beauty that pleasantly distracts the visitor from the sight of the old ruins.
When the Gokurakuji Temple’s kitchen was being rebuilt from its collapse during the Kobe Earthquake in 1993, workers discovered ruins dating back more than 400 years before. Upon examination, it became clear that these ruins were the bath and garden of Yunoyama Goten built by Taiko Hideyoshi. To commemorate the site, the city of Kobe opened a museum in 1999 exhibiting the steam bath and bath in stone and preserved these baths in their original condition.

極楽寺の100ｍほど南に位置する湯泉神社の長い参道にも桜の木がずらりと並んでいます。
湯泉神社は、有馬の氏神・温泉守護神として崇敬され、毎年1月2日に古式ゆかしく入初式が行われます。
子授けの神社としても有名で、有馬の湯に入り、温泉神社で祈願すれば子宝に恵まれると言い伝えられ、子授けのお守りは全国各地より求められています。

Tosen Shrine
There are a large number of cherry trees lined up along the long road to Tosen Shrine located about 100m south of Gokurakuji temple.
As the place of worship and protectorate of Arima hot springs, Tosen Shrine holds a time-honored first bath of the year ceremony on January 2nd
Known as a child-giving shrine, Tosen Shrine is reported to bestow the gift of a child when visitors enter the baths of Arima Onsen and wish for a child. Likewise amulets from the shrine for granting children are sought from all parts of the country.

有馬温泉の中心に赤い欄干のねね橋があります。橋のたもとには、秀吉の正室、ねねの銅像が建っており、ここから有馬川親水公園に下りることが出来ます。毎年4月上旬には、この河川敷の公園で地元の人たちがこぞって参加する「桜祭」が開催されます。夜間は赤い橋と桜の木がライトアップされて、闇に浮かび上がり、幻想的な雰囲気を感じさせます。

Nene-bashi Bridge
In the central part of Arima Onsen, there is a bridge with red railing called Nene-bashi. Near the bridge is a bronze statute of Nene, the lawful wife of Hideyoshi. From this place, visitors can climb down to Arima River Shinsui Park. Every year in the first part of April, a cherry blossom festival is held and all the local people of Arima gather at the river site to participate in the merriment. In the evening, the red bridge and cherry trees are lit up and the contrast against the darkness creates a dreamy feeling.

ねね橋の下流に太閤秀吉に因んで命名された太閤橋がありますが、この橋から有馬川を見渡すと、美しい桜並木が見られます。この橋の周辺には、秀吉像のある「湯けむり広場」、袂石(たもといし)などがあり、橋のたもとには休憩できる椅子もあります。

Taiko-hashi Bridge
The Taiko-hashi Bridge is downstream from the Nene-bashi Bridge and is famous for its association with Taiko Hideyoshi. When you look down from the bridge at the Arima River, you can see a beautiful line of cherry trees. Near this bridge there is a “Yukemuri-hiroba Open Space” with a statue of Hideyoshi, the Tamoto Stone, etc. Next to the bridge there were seats where you can rest.

太閤橋の傍らの袂石(たもといし)の桜も見事です。休憩スペースもありますので、温泉街を散策される折に、お立ち寄り下さい。袂石は重さ130トンもある巨大な岩ですが、袂石の伝説では、温泉神社の祭神が、たもとから取り出して投げつけた小石が次第に大きくなったと伝えられています。また、この袂石近くの泉郷荘（保養所）の駐車場にある遅咲きの桜もなかなか見ごたえがあります。

Tamoto Stone (Tamoto-ishi)
There is a splendid cherry tree at Tamoto Stone, which is found near the Taiko-hashi Bridge. Whenever you are strolling around the hot springs town, we recommend that you stop here since there is a rest area. The Tamoto Stone is an enormous rock weighing around 130 tons. Legend has it that the god of the Onsen Shrine removed a small stone from his sleeve and threw it. As the stone traveled through the air, it gradually grew bigger and bigger. Also, in the parking lot of the spa manor (Hoyosho) near the Tamoto Stone, there is a beautiful late-blooming cherry tree.

瑞宝寺公園には、太閤秀吉が「いくら見ていても飽きない」と誉めたという清閑な庭があります。この公園には休憩所が点在しており、ゆっくり楽しむことができます。
秋の紅葉シーズンには、大勢の観光客が訪れ、公園の中に、おでん、うどん、甘酒などが楽しめる「もみじ茶屋」もオープンします。また、春になると、神戸市の「花の名所50選」にも選ばれている美しい桜が見られます。

Zuihoji Park
Referring to tranquility of this beautiful Japanese garden of the former Zuihoji Temple, Toyotomi Hideyoshi once said of the garden, “No matter how much you see of it, you never grow tired of it.” With places for resting scattered all throughout, the Zuihoji Park is meant to enjoy slowly. In autumn, visitors can enjoy the beautiful leaves with their autumn hues while having a bowl of udon noodles, warm oden, or sweet Japanese sake. The park has also been chosen by Kobe City as one of its 50 designated places to see beautiful cherry blossoms. In the spring, we have an opportunity to see the beautiful cherry blossoms that prompted its selection by the Kobe City government.

瑞宝寺公園とともに、桜と紅葉の名勝の地として知られる公園です。滝壺に落ちる水の音が周囲の岩に反響して鼓を打つ音に似ているところから、この名が付いたとされています。新緑が映える滝には心が洗われる思いがします。春はお花見、夏はホタルが飛び交う中、涼やかなカジカの鳴く声が聞こえ、秋は紅葉の中の散歩が楽しめます。

Tsuzumigataki Park
As with Zuihoji Park, Tsuzumigataki Park is a park famous for its beauty cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. The park got its name from the waterfall where a drum-like sound can be heard from the water striking the ground and reverberating in the rock formation. Named for Japanese drum used in kabuki, Tsuzumi reveals a special characteristic with each season. In spring the thoughts of the visitor are washed pure by the water reflecting the new green foliage and beautiful cherry blossoms while in the summer visitors are greeted with the fluttering of fireflies and the croaking of bullfrogs. In the autumn, many people enjoy strolling through the forest and gazing at the beautiful autumn leaves.

	有馬小学校の近くにある公園橋から眺めた桜も絶景です。上流側にも下流側にも共に美しい桜並木が続いています。この橋の下を流れる有馬川は北上して、武庫川と合流した後、南下し大阪湾まで流れていきます。
	Koen-bashi Bridge A picturesque scene of cherry trees can be seen from the Koen-bashi Bridge near the Arima Elementary School. Beautiful cherry trees line the sides of the river both upstream and downstream. The Arimagawa River running under this bridge flows north and joins the Mukogawa River where the water continues flowing to Osaka Bay.

中国自動車道西宮北ＩＣから有馬温泉に入ると、最初に乙倉橋が左手に見えます。この橋から有馬川を見ると桜並木がとてもきれいです。この橋から太閤橋に続く川沿いの道は、「さくらの小径」と呼ばれています。初夏には、この川原で数多くのホタルが飛び交う光景が見られ、有馬温泉の初夏の風物詩になっています。

Otokura-bashi Bridge
When you enter Arima Onsen from the Nishinomiya’s North IC on Chugoku Highway, you can quickly see a quaint Otokura-bashi Bridge on your left-hand side. If you look at the Arimagawa River from this bridge, you will be treated to the spectacle of an extremely beautiful line of cherry trees. The road goes along the river from the bridge continuing to Taiko-hashi Bridge and is called Small Path of Cherry Blossoms. In the first part of the summer the glimmering swarms of fireflies can be seen on the riverbanks in the first poem of the summer season.

有馬から車で西宮北有料道路(250円)を通り抜けて、20分間足らずで甲山の西側に位置する北山貯水池に着きます。ここからは、関空を含め、大阪湾全体が見渡せ、ダム周辺には、約1000本の見事な桜の木があるお花見の名所です。また、水辺では、四季を通じて色んな種類の野鳥を観察できます。ダムの南側には「北山緑化植物園」があり、園内で様々な種類の桜を鑑賞できます。

Kitayama Dam
A visit to Kitayama Dam is well worth the trip. It is a large reservoir located west of Mount Kabuto (Kabutoyama) in a less than 20-minute drive through Nishinomiya-kita Tunnel (250 yen). From the dam site you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Osaka Bay including Kansai Airport. This area is famous for about 1,000 beautiful cherry trees surrounding the dam. Also, at the water's edge, various kinds of wild birds can be observed through the four seasons. On the dam side there is the Kitayama Botanical Garden with various types of cherry trees to appreciate.

831年に建立された、弘法大師ゆかりの神呪寺が甲山の麓、北山貯水池の東にあります。境内および、山門から境内まで99段ある急な石段沿いに数多くの桜の木があるのが印象的です。境内に続く「甲山森林公園」を含め、甲山の山麓一帯には、約10,000本のヤマザクラが自生しています。

Kannoji Temple (Kabutoyama Daishi)
Built in 831, Kannoji Temple is associated with Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, and is located to the east of Kitayama Dam on the foot of Mount Kabuto (Kabutoyama). Visitors will be moved by the breath-taking scenery of seeing the scores of cherry blossom trees in the compound alongside the steep steps with 99 steps from the main gate to the temple. About 10,000 wild cherry trees stand beautifully on the hillside alongside the temple and ‘Kabutoyama Forest Park’. There are around 10,000 cherry trees native to the area growing naturally on the hillside surrounding the temple and “Kabutoyama Forest Park.’

甲山周辺から坂道を下っていくと、数分で阪急甲陽園線沿いに流れる夙川に出会います。河川敷全体が公園として整備されており、阪急「苦楽園口」駅から阪神「香櫨園」駅まで約2.7kmにわたって川の両岸に約2300本の桜並木のアーチが見られます。1990年に「さくらの名所百選」に選ばれるほど有名な桜スポットです。全国的に都市部ではソメイヨシノがよく見られますが、夙川沿いでは、ヤマザクラ、カンザン、ウコン等などの様々な桜を楽しむことが出来ます。

Shukugawa Park
Located both side of the Shukugawa River in the west of Nishinomiya City, the Park stretches from Hankyu Kurakuen-guchi Station in the north to Koroen-hama Beach in the south, a distance of 4.4 kilometers. The Park is filled with various flowers in four seasons and is especially known for about 2,300 cherry trees.
When you go down the inclined road from Mount Kabuto, after a few minutes, you will come across the Shukugawa River flowing along side Hankyu Koyoen line. The levies of the river serve as a public park and nearly 2300 cherry trees can be seen lined in an arch on both sides of the river extending 2.7 km from Hankyu Kurakuen-guchi station to the Hanshin Koroen station. The park became a famous cherry blossom viewing spot after its selection in the top 100 cherry viewing places of Japan in 1990. All throughout major cities in Japan you can often see Somei-yoshino however, along the Shukugawa River you can enjoy viewing a variety of cherry trees ranging from mountain cherry trees, Kanzan cherry trees and Ukon cherry trees to mention a few.

阪急苦楽園口駅から東へ10分ほど歩くと、満池谷公園に着きます。公園内にあるニテコ池は灌漑用で、池のほとりに戦前からある白い給水搭は宮崎アニメの「火垂るの墓」に登場することでも有名です。このあたりは地層が露出し、めずらしい植物が自生しており、兵庫県の天然記念物にも指定されています。公園内には、ソメイヨシノ、シダレザクラなど20週種類、約600本の桜の木があります。越水浄水場の周辺は、シーズンのみ一般開放され、桜のアーチは、「西宮の通り抜け」として市民に親しまれています。

Manchidani Park
When you walk east from the Kurakuen-guchi station for ten minutes, you will arrive at Manchidani Park. Within the park, there is the Niteko Pond, used for irrigation, and famous for its depiction in the Hayao Miyazaki’s animation “Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies)” for its white water tower next to the pond. Around this area, you can see Somei-yoshino, hanging cherry blossoms, and 20 kinds in about 600 cherry trees. The Koshimizu Water Purification Plant is only open to public during the cherry blossom season. The cherry blossoms can be enjoyed as a Nishinomiya bypass to the arch.

車で夙川から国道2号線を西に向かいますと、直ぐに芦屋市に入ります。芦屋の山の手は、明治時代から経済人・文化人の別荘や邸宅が立ち並び、発展してきました、閑静な高級住宅街があり、ここを南北に流れる芦屋川沿いに約200本の桜並木が続いています。特に国道2号線に架かる業平橋から山側に向かった眺めは絶景です。甲山から始まる屏風のような六甲山系を背景に静かに流れる芦屋川と桜並木のコントラストは一見の価値があります。また、夜間は桜の花がライトアップされるので、風情のある散策が楽しめます。

Ashiyagawa Park
When you travel west on Route No.2 by car from Shukugawa, you will soon enter the hilly area of Ashiya. Since more than 100 years ago, the area has developed as a tranquil, high-class area for the private residences and villas for men of letters and finance. . Here running north-south along the Ashiyagawa River, there is a continuous line of 200 cherry trees. Looking toward the mountains from the Narihira-bashi Bridge on Route No.2, there is a particularly picturesque view highlighted by the contrast of a line of cherry trees against the backdrop of Ashiyagawa River flowing quietly beneath the mountain range of Mount Rokko starting from Mount Kabuto. When the cherry blossoms are lit up at night, there is a fine view for an enchanting nighttime stroll.

芦屋の山手にある岩ケ平公園は、阪急バスの「岩園町」バス停から徒歩約4分で着きます。公園内にあるモンテベロ・バラ園は、米国カリフォルニア州モンテベロ市との姉妹都市提携を記念して作られました。そこでは、バラや桜を始めとして四季折々に色んな美しい花が咲き乱れます。特に、4月初めになると、桜の花びらが一面に敷き詰められたようになります。

Iwagahira Park (Montebello Rose Garden)
Iwagahira Park located on the mountain side of Ashiya is a four-minute walk from the Iwazono-cho Hankyu bus stop. Within the park there is the Montebello Rose Garden, a rose garden commemorative of the establishment of a sister city relationship with the city of Montebello, California, in the USA. Beginning with the roses, you can see beautiful flowers blooming through the four seasons. It is especially beautiful in April when the cherry blossoms look like a carpet of flowers.

芦屋浜にあるこの公園には、3月初めから梅の花が咲き始めます。3月下旬～4月になると、まず公園の東側を流れる宮川沿いに並んでいる桜が咲き、その後、公園内にあるヤエザクラが楽しめるため、シーズンになると、大勢の市民がお花見に訪れます。また、この公園の中にはナイター設備のある野球場や芝生広場があり、式を通じて色んなスポーツを楽しむことができます。

Ashiya Central Park (Ashiya Chuo Koen)
Plum trees start blooming in this park in the Ashiya-hama Beach from the beginning of March. Cherry blossoms lining the banks of the Miyagawa River on the east side of the park first start blooming from the end of March to the beginning of April. When that happens, the people of the city come to the park to enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms of the Yaezakura cherry trees found in the park. Since there are facilities to enjoy baseball games at night and a large grass field, they can enjoy various sports.

	阪急岡本駅から北に徒歩5分で着きます。岡本南公園は、水上勉の小説『櫻守』の舞台となった笹部新太郎氏の屋敷跡を神戸市が公園として整備したもので、別名『櫻守公園』と呼ばれています。彼は、桜の収集家として有名で、野生の桜の保護に生涯を捧げました。公園内には10種類、約30本の桜の木があり、桜に関する説明板も随所に掲げられています。笹部氏の名前にちなんでつけられたササベザクラは、山桜の一種で、兵庫県指定天然記念物です。


Okamoto Minami Park The Okamoto Minami Park is a five-minute walk north of the Hankyu Okamoto station. The park is also called Sakura-mori Park since it was used as the setting of the Tsutomu Minakami’s novel entitled Sakura-mori. The park is run by the Kobe city government and was built on the grounds that had housed the former mansion owned by Shintaro Sasabe. He was a well-known collector of cherry trees and worked all his life in preserving cherry trees found growing uncultured in their natural habitat. Inside the park there are 30 cherry trees in 10 varieties with signs giving details about each variety. There is a mountain variety cherry tree named Sasabe-zakura in honor of Sasabe that has been designated a natural commemorative item by the Hyogo Prefecture.

	阪急岡本駅から北へ徒歩20分、六甲山系の一つ金鳥山（標高338ｍ）の中腹に、千数百年の歴史のある保久良神社があります。大阪湾が一望できる境内は、ハイキングの拠点となっていて、早朝から登山の人々で賑わいます。春になると梅や桜の見物にさらに多くの人たちが訪れます。特に、本殿の両脇に咲く枝垂れ桜があでやかで目を引きます。


Hokura Shrine With a history spanning more than a 1000 years, Hokura Shrine is located twenty minutes north of Hankyu Okamoto station halfway up the Mount Kinchozan (altitude 338 m), a mountain on the Mount Rokko mountain range. With its panoramic view of Osaka Bay, Hokura Shrine has become a hiking base camp and is a lively area from early morning with its many mountain hikers. In the spring, many people come to see the beautiful plum and cherry blossoms. One particular type of tree that captures people’s attention is the weeping cherry blossom tree found on both sides of grounds of the shrine.

	阪急六甲駅から市バス(2)系統「護国神社前」で下車します。護国神社は、各県に建立されている、地元出身の戦死者などを英霊として祀る神社です。兵庫県では神戸と姫路にあります。境内の石段を上がって行くと、常夜灯と提灯に照らされた夜桜が美しく浮かび、静かで落ち着きのあるお花見が味わえます。

Gokoku Shrine To get to the Gokoku Shrine, take the #2 city bus from the Hankyu Rokko station and get off at Gokoku Jinja-mae. Gokoku shines are in every prefecture and were built as shrines to honor the spirits of local war veterans killed in action. In Hyogo Prefecture there are two Gokoku shrines in Kobe and Himeji. As you walk up the stone steps inside the grounds, there are stone lanterns and festive lanterns that illuminate the cherry trees at night and create a quiet and relaxed atmosphere for viewing cherry blossoms.

1950年に神戸博が開催され、その会場跡が王子公園として整備されました。現在は、陸上競技場、スポ－ツセンター、市民ギャラリーと王子動物園などが併設された総合施設です。公園内には約700本の桜があり、その中には神戸の桜の開花予報に使われる標本木もあります。毎年、桜の見頃になると恒例行事として、王子動物園の一部が夜間に無料開放され、ライトアップされた夜桜を見物できます。

Oji Park/Oji Zoo
The Kobe Expo was held in 1950 and Oji Park was established on the remains of the grounds. Currently, there is track and field stadium, sports center, a city gallery and a zoo built on the premises. Within the park there are about 700 cherry blossom trees and among these trees there is a cherry blossom tree used as an indicator to predict when cherry trees will blossom in Kobe. Every year during cherry blossom-viewing season, the Oji Zoo is partially opened at night with free admission as a festival and we can see the cherry blossoms lit up at night.

三宮から市バス(18)系統「摩耶ケーブル下」で下車します。「摩耶ケーブル駅」の駅舎の石段から東方向に少し進むと、“桜のトンネル”へと続きます。南北に400ｍの坂道の両側に約70本のソメイヨシノが並び、いっせいに咲き誇っている光景は一見の価値があります。市バスがその直ぐ下を通っているので、バスの中からも桜を鑑賞できます。

Maya Cable Car Station
Take the #18 city bus from Sannomiya and get off at Maya Cable. When you go east from the stone step of the Maya Cable station building you will soon run into the Cherry Blossom Tunnel. There are about 70 Somei-yoshino trees lined up on both sides of the 400m path running north-south, and it is certainly worth seeing the gratifying scenery all at one time. Since the city bus takes you right to the site, you can even experience the beauty from inside the bus.

三宮から市バス(7)系統「楠谷町」で下車します。1917年に建てられた浄水施設が1989年に博物館としてリニューアルされました。神戸市の水道の仕組みの紹介だけでなく、楽しい実験や体験学習を通じて水の不思議に触れ、理解を深めることができます。
毎年、桜の季節には無料開放され、正門から博物館へ向かう坂道の美しい桜並木や敷地内の約80本の桜を楽しめる「さくらフェア」が開催されます。

Water Science Museum
Take the #7 bus from Sannomiya and get off at Kusudani-cho. The waterworks were built in 1917 and in 1989 the building was renovated as a natural museum. The museum not only presents the details of Kobe’s water supply, but it is a place to come into contact with the strange properties of water through experiments and practical study and deepen your understanding.
Every year during the cherry blossom season, the museum is open free of charge and you can enjoy looking at about 80 cherry tree line up on the path toward the museum and on the museum grounds.

地下鉄上沢駅から北へ徒歩5分で、標高85ｍの会下山（えげやま）があります。1336年の湊川合戦で楠木正成の軍勢が本陣を置いたとされており、眼下に播磨街道、神戸港、須磨の海上が見渡せます。

公園内はアップダウンが多く、1周1kmのジョギングコースの他に運動遊具もあり、市民の憩いの場となっています。春になると、公園内は、神戸の海と市街地を背景にして、約1400本の桜の花に埋もれます。

Egeyama Park
Standing 85 m above sea level, Mount Egeyama is only a five-minute walk north from the Kamisawa subway station and is widely believed to be the place where Kusunoki Masashige’s stationed his army headquarters here during the Battle of Minatogawa in 1336 since the overlook affords a view of the Harima Road, Kobe port, and Suma sea. Within the park’s rolling hills, there is a 1km-jogging course in addition to other exercise facilities. The park is a popular place for people to relax. When spring comes, visitors are treated to the beauty of 1,400 cherry blossom trees against the background of the Kobe skyline and sea.

新幹線「新神戸駅」前から南へ国道2号線に至るまでの約1kmにわたって、生田川沿いに美しい桜並木が続いています。生田川は、六甲山系の摩耶山・石楠花山(しゃくなげさん)を源とし、神戸市のほぼ中央部を南に流れています。神戸のシンボルとして、河川沿いの緑地とともに親水空間として整備されており、市民のオアシスとなっています。

Ikutagawa Park
To reach this park, walk south from the Shin-Kobe station (station for the bullet trains) until you reach Route No. 2, which is about a 1 km distance. Here you’ll find a beautiful line of cherry trees along the Ikutagawa River. The river flows south from Mount Maya and Mount Shakunage of the Rokko mountain range toward the central part of Kobe. Having become a symbol of Kobe, the park has been preserved as an oasis for the Kobe people to enjoy the water and green foliage.

ここには、かつて花隈城が建っていました。この城は1567年、織田信長が中国地方へ勢力を伸ばすため、摂津伊丹城主の荒木村重に命じて築かせました。その後、400数十年を経た現在では、城跡は市営駐車場となり、その周辺部は花隈公園として整備されています。
ポートタワーなど神戸の街並みを背景にお花見を楽しめる市民の憩いの場となっています。

Hanakuma Park
Hanakuma Castle once stood on these grounds. To press his power to the central area of Japan, Oda Nobunaga ordered Araki Murashige, the lord of Itami Castle in Settsu, to build this castle in 1567. Today, over 400 years later, the castle has become a city parking lot with the Hanakuma Park constructed nearby. This park has become a favorite for people to come see cherry blossoms with the Port Tower and Kobe skyline in the background.

三宮から市バス(7)系統「諏訪山公園下」で下車します。標高約160ｍの諏訪山の山頂近くには、ビーナス・ブリッジやレストラン、展望広場、駐車場などあり、ドライブ・ポイントとして観光客に人気があります。中腹にある金星台からは、神戸港や市街地が一望できるため、桜のシーズンにはお花見が楽しめるスポットとなっています。

Suwayama Park
Take city bus #7 from Sannomiya and get off at Suwayama Koen Shita. Near the top of Mount Suwayama at an altitude about 160 m, there is the Venus Bridge as well as a restaurant, overview area, and parking lot, making it a popular spot for visitors to take a drive. It is a place to enjoy to during the cherry blossom season with a panoramic view of Kobe Port and the city’s urban district from the middle of the bridge.

山陽電鉄東須磨駅から南東へ徒歩3分で、静かな住宅地をぬって流れる妙法寺川のほとりに出ます。板宿駅付近から須磨警察署まで妙法寺川沿いに約400本の桜並木が続いており、まさに桜のトンネルです。春の桜が咲く頃、神戸市内随一の桜の名所として花見客で賑わいます。また、初夏になると、藤棚の下では藤の花の甘い香りがします。

Myohojigawa Park
Myohojigawa Park is a three-minute walk southeast of the Higashi Suma station on the Sanyo Railway line. The park is located at the edge of the Myohojigawa River, which passes through this quiet, residential area. From the Itayado station to the Suma Police station, there are nearly 400 cherry blossom trees line up like a cherry tree tunnel Each spring when cherry blossoms bloom, there are many visitors to this famous cherry-viewing spot. In the early summer, there is the sweet fragrance beneath the Japanese wisteria.

須磨浦公園は、有名な一ノ谷合戦の古戦場として知られる鉢伏山と須磨浦海岸一帯に整備された自然豊かな公園です。大阪湾から瀬戸内海、淡路島を見渡せる神戸有数の景勝地で、万葉時代から多くの歌人に親しまれてきました。春になると、初春の梅に続き、山腹からふもとにかけてソメイヨシノ、ヤマザクラ、サトザクラなど約3200本の桜が咲き、梅と桜の名所として有名です。須磨浦公園駅からロープウェイに乗ると、鉢伏山の山頂まで約3分で着き、さらにカーレーターと観光リフトを乗り継ぐとお子様に人気の「須磨浦山上遊園」があります。

Sumaura Park
The Sumaura Park is a park rich in nature with a stretch of the Suma beach and Mount Hachibuse that is famous as an old battle ground for the battle of Ichinotani. From Osaka Bay, you can see the Seto Inland Sea and Awaji Island at various Kobe scenic spots in the area. Since the Manyo period (the 7-8th century) many poets have grown attached to it. Spring comes on the heels of the plum blossoms, and the mountainous area is covered with a variety of cherry blossom trees totaling about 3,200 trees and is famous as a place to see plum and cherry blossoms. Ride the ropeway from Sumaura Park station and you will arrive at Mount Hachibuse in about 3 minutes. From there, ride the Carlator and sightseeing lift to get to the Sumaura Mountaintop Amusement Park, a popular place with children.

山陽須磨駅から市バス(72)系統、「奥須磨公園前」で下車すぐ、または、地下鉄妙法寺駅から南へ徒歩15分で着きます。自然林、7箇所のため池、棚田跡、流れ、草原など豊かな自然を残し整備した公園です。公園内には54種のトンボを始め、ホタルなどの昆虫やカワセミ、コゲラといった鳥類など多様な生き物が生息しています。

Oku-suma Park
To arrive at Oku-sama Park, take city bus 72 from the Suma station of the Sanyo Railway and get off at Oku-suma Koen Mae. The park will be immediately in front of you. Those using the subway will get off at Myohoji station and walk south for about 15 minutes. The park strives to preserve the richness of nature with a natural forest, ponds in 7 places, terraced rice farming, water flow, and grassy fields. Various living things inhabit the park beginning with 54 types of dragonflies and insects such as fireflies, various birds like Indian Kingfishers and Japanese pigmy woodpeckers.

JR道場駅から東へ宝塚に抜けるハイキング道「太陽と緑の道」を進むと、約20分で千刈貯水場に着きます。1919年に完成した、高さ42ｍ、長さ106ｍの重力式コンクリートダムがあります。三田市と宝塚市にまたがる神戸市内最大の水源池です。スライド式ゲートは現存するものでは最古であり、国の「登録有形文化財」に認定されています。
ダムの前の広場は、通常立ち入り禁止ですが、5種類250本の桜の木があり、桜の開花時期には一般に開放されます。また、秋の紅葉シーンも見事です。1997年には「新・こうべ花の名所50選」に選ばれています。

Sengari Dam
Go east from the JR Dojo station, passing through Takarazuka on hiking trail called ‘Road of the Sun and Forest’ and you will arrive at Sengari Dam. The concrete dam is 42m high and 106 m wide and was completed in 1919. The dam straddles the cities of Mita and Takarazuka and is the largest source of the Kobe’s water supply. The sliding gate currently being used is the oldest part of the dam and is registered as an important cultural item.
There is a large field in front of the dam and entrance is strictly prohibited; however, there are 150 cherry trees of 5 varieties and is opened to general admission during the cherry blossom season. Also in the autumn it has a splendid scene of autumn leaves. In 1997, it was selected as one of the New Kobe Top 50 Flower Spots.

関西では、古くから「東大寺二月堂のお水取り行事が終われば、春が来る」と言われており、3月15日に満行の知らせを耳にすると、ぐっと春めいた気分になります。有馬ナビ弥生号では、有馬温泉と西宮・芦屋・神戸のお花見スポットについてご紹介しました。次の卯月号では、新緑の季節を迎える六甲山の観光スポットをご紹介します。ぜひご家族で、有馬～神戸の春をお楽しみ下さい。（2006/3/5）

"Since long ago in the Kansai, it has been said, “Spring comes when the water-taking ceremony at Todaiji Temple in Nara is over.”
When you hear the news of the two-week events of the ceremony finalized on March 15 every year, you will be touched with a longing for spring.
For this reason, following the March edition of Arima Navi introducing the cherry viewing spots of Arima, Nishinomiya, Ashiya, and Kobe, we will continue in the April edition with sightseeing spots around Mount Rokko that correspond to the budding of plants and flowers.
By all means, we invite you to enjoy the beauty of spring in the areas of Arima and Kobe."

※このページは2006年3月に発行されたものです。
最新の有馬温泉と周辺観光地の情報は『龍泉閣日記』をご覧ください。

注）営業時間や料金などの情報は、発行された時点のものです。
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