Soni Highlands

Soni Highlands (Soni Kōgen) is a plateau located on the eastern side of Soni Village at the northeastern edge of Nara Prefecture, and a highly popular highland resort in Kansai designated as part of the Murō-Akame-Aoyama Quasi-National Park. It spreads across the western foothills between Mt. Kuroso (1,038 m), one of Japan’s 300 famous mountains, and Mt. Kameyama (849 m). The hallmark is its vast pampas-grass (susuki) fields. A controlled burn is held every year around mid-March, and from spring through summer the highlands turn a vivid green. The pampas grass begins to send up shoots from mid-September, and by late November the plumes shine brilliantly in golden and silvery hues, drawing many visitors. At "Okame Pond" halfway up the highlands, you can also observe rare animals typical of wetland environments. Access by public transport is from Kintetsu Nabari Station: take a Mie Kotsu bus bound for Yamagasui, get off at "Tarōji," then walk about 45 minutes. There is a parking lot for about 150 cars, so if you have a car, driving is generally the easiest option. From Meihan National Route Hari Interchange, it takes about 45 minutes via Haibara. From October to November, seasonal buses to Soni Highlands also operate.