Station Tajima no Mahoroba

Step Into the Ancient Heart of Tamba

Tajima no Mahoroba, nestled along National Route 483 in Yamae Town, Hyōgo Prefecture, is more than a roadside station—it’s a living gateway to Japan’s past and present. Designed to evoke the spirit of an ancient administrative center from the Kofun period, this vibrant hub blends historical reverence with modern hospitality. Located near the nationally designated Chasuriyama Kofun, the largest circular tomb in western Japan, the station serves as a cultural nexus for travelers seeking authentic connections to Tamba’s rich heritage.

Visitors can savor the region’s finest flavors at the on-site restaurant and food court, where locally raised Kobe beef and fresh Iwatsu onions take center stage. The adjacent Buried Cultural Heritage Center offers hands-on experiences in pottery and bead-making, immersing guests in ancient craftsmanship. With ample parking, EV charging, and easy access to nearby attractions like Takeda Castle Ruins and the misty peaks of Tachiyama Gorge, Tajima no Mahoroba is the perfect destination for a memorable journey through nature, history, and local taste.

Tajima no Mahoroba stands out as the only roadside station in the region where you can experience ancient history firsthand. Adjacent to the Buried Cultural Heritage Center, visitors can craft clay pots and sacred jade beads using techniques from Japan’s ancient Kofun period—offering a rare hands-on connection to the past. Just steps away, the site’s signature dish, a 100% Kobe beef hamburger, is crafted with precision from locally sourced, high-grade meat, making it a culinary destination unlike any other.

• Best Arrival Time: Visit between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM on weekdays to secure the freshest batch of farmstand vegetables, as the morning delivery of local produce arrives around 8:30 AM and sells out quickly by midday.

• Hidden Gems: Head to the "Farmers Market" area by 10:00 AM on Saturdays to find the limited-edition handcrafted pickled vegetables made by local farmers, which are only available during the first two hours of the day.

• Weekend Special: On weekends, visit the "Food Court" between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM to try the buta (pork) cutlets made with a special marinade using traditional local soy sauce, a menu item that sells out by 1:00 PM.

• Best Time to Buy Local Specialties: Purchase the buta (pork) and beef skewers at the "Meat Counter" before 4:00 PM, as they are only available during the final two hours of the day and are sold in limited quantities.

• Must-Visit Experience: Visit the "Buried Cultural Heritage Center" between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM to participate in the pottery-making workshop, which runs only during this time and requires advance sign-up at the information desk.

• Best Time to Use Free Wi-Fi: Connect to the free Wi-Fi at the information counter between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, as the system is most stable during this quiet hour and allows faster access to event and access route details.

• Insider Purchase Tip: Buy the "Iwatsu Negi Dressing" at the "Souvenir Counter" before 1:00 PM on weekdays, as it is only restocked once per day and is frequently sold out by early afternoon.

Spring (March-May): Fresh rock melons available from late April; bamboo shoots peak in early spring.

Summer (June-August): Best time for viewing fireflies at Yofudo Onsen; mountain cherry blossoms bloom in early summer.

Autumn (September-November): Rock melon harvest ends in late October; butternut squash and black soybeans available in late autumn.

Winter (December-February): Rock melon season begins in mid-December; winter special menus feature butternut squash and black soybeans.