Takedao Abandoned Railway Hike

What?
Part of the JR Fukuchiyama Railroad was left abandoned in favor if a new track circling through a different part of the region. The old tracks were left abandoned and served for a very long time as a non-recognized hiking course. I don’t know since when, but in the very recent past owner JR has performed some maintenance work, making it an extremely accessible hike, although flashlights (or a well charged smartphone) are imperative as you need to cross 6 tunnels.
Where?
Located in Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県), the hike goes from Namaze Station (生瀬駅) to Takedao Station (武田尾駅), or the other way around. The way to the trailhead is very well explained on this website, so I just copy-paste. That being said, the recent maintenance works also included signage from Namaze station to the start of the hike. “From Namaze station turn right and walk down the hill from the station. You will pass through a small tunnel. After this tunnel the road meets a crossroads where you should turn left. You will know you are on the right path if you pass under a large highway. Shortly after this overpass, you will see a bus stop on the right side of the road marked 木の元 and the entrance is across the road from this. The exit is easily missed, so be careful. There is a bridge, but do not take it, instead take the small path going down next to the bridge. Turn right at the bottom of the slope and keep heading down until you reach the river. Turn left at the river.”
URL
>Japan Travel

In 2012, about a year after I made the move to Kansai, a friend invited me to hike along an abandoned railroad not far away from Osaka. I was all in. I already liked walking and hiking but barely did it, and I loved abandoned buildings and the like – called haikyo in Japan. So this just sounded too good to be true. And it was. The course is picturesque, but quite short and never any challenging. And the railway is abandoned, but without many material witnesses that can talk about the past.

That being said, I have good memories of that hike. It was short but definitely offered me a chance to deepen my friendship, the 6 tunnels during the walk give a unique aspect to the course, and while there is not much “urban” about the abandoned railway, there are still enough indicators, not in the least the old red bridge that one had to cross from the side.
This bridge was without a doubt a highlight of the course. It was still in its original form, and logically fenced off. You had to cross it on the left side on an original “bridge-pathway” that, to be very honest – looked almost as unsafe. But it was impressive.
So when I did the hike again, now in 2019, I was looking forward to crossing the bridge again.

Some kiwi trees close to the start of the hike.

This river will keep you company all of the time.

The first of 6 tunnels. Don't forget your flashlight!

Remnants of the rail track.

From the beginning of the course though, it already seemed to me that JR railways was taking better care of the grounds. I couldn’t recall that many signs saying to be careful for falling rocks, and I definitely didn’t recall a signpost with hiking trail maps. So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me what happened to the bridge… The tracks that were fenced off have been replaced by a safe but very boring and bland wooden walk bridge. What’s left of the original red bridge is only the frame – which is still quite cool, but it’s so much less charming than 7 years ago.

It’s still a decent walk, especially if you have kids (it’s short, easy and there’s a spot where you can camp along the river), but I would recommend it during spring or autumn when the blooming trees or colorful foliage can give that something extra. Now in winter, the scenery looked almost as boring as the reconstructed bridge…