When visiting Kobe, one attraction you should put on the list is the Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway. Located a very short walk from the Shin-Kobe Station, this is a must see on a sunny day or as the sun goes down. At the top of Mt. Rokko is the herb garden and to get there you have two choices: go on foot along the nearly one mile path to the top or taking the ropeway in a matter of minutes. We choose the latter!
The ropeway climbs up the mountain side more than 1,000′ taking you swiftly to the top where the air is fresh and the view amazing. Its a fun ride and you’ll be taking photos all along the way as you pass over the various gardens dotting the mountainside and Nunobiki Falls. Once at the top, you are provided what most in Japan consider one of the three most beautiful views in Japan overlooking the city of Kobe and Osaka Bay. This especially true at night when the lights of the city and ships in the bay come to life. But getting to the top is only half the fun.
Situated on the top are acres and acres of gardens and pathways. This is the Nunobiki Herb Garden and there are actually twelve different gardens to explore. Some of these are on the top and easy to walk to from the ropeway while others are located down the mountain path on the face of the mountain. Its up to you as to what you want to see and your endurance. For us, we’ve always purchased the round trip ticket for the ropeway, but many people are venturesome enough to take the walk downhill back to the point of beginning.
There is a cafe along with a gift shop and a museum showcasing the various herbs and their essential oils. At various times of the year, you might encounter a special exhibit or even a concert. The gardens are open year round and with the changing of seasons, encourages visitors to return again and again. This is one of those hidden gems of Japan that not many western visitors know about. Most foreign visitors come from tour groups getting off the occasional cruise ship in the Port of Kobe. But other than that, this place is not well known by tourists and thus isn’t that crowded. So when in Kobe, make sure you take the ride to the top!
