Yabu, Mountain city in northern Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Yabu is a mountain city in northern Hyogo Prefecture, surrounded by peaks and valleys through which the Maruyama River winds across its eastern section. The area stretches over forested slopes and small villages that sit on gentle plains.
In 2004, four neighboring towns merged to form the current administrative entity. This union brought together different communities under a shared name.
The city takes its name from an ancient shrine that sits on a forested hillside and has been honored for over a thousand years. Visitors can witness religious ceremonies here and experience the quiet surroundings among tall trees.
Travelers can reach the city by train from Kyoto or Osaka, with the journey taking around two hours. Connections to the nearby hot spring resort of Kinosaki Onsen are also available and shorten the onward trip considerably.
A waterfall cascade of nearly 100 meters (about 320 feet) is among the most recognized natural landmarks in Japan and is considered the finest waterfall in the prefecture. Visitors can reach the base of the waterfall via hiking trails and experience the power of the plunging water up close.
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