What other travelers are saying about Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Many years ago, our family visited nunobiki garden. I returned this time with my mom. It was more beautiful than before. We asked for direction from the train station to our destination. Directional signs weren’t forthcoming. A kind young lady walked with us, showed us the way to the entrance. Thank you so much…we interrupted her work actually.
As it was near to festive season, the whole garden right from the entry (queue to take a lift up to buy tickets) all the way to the top of the rope way landing area were well decorated to boost Christmas moods. Very impressive.
The entire garden was clean & well kept, so colourful. Air was cool & fresh in November. There were some constructions going on, beams & pillars were still being laid for some platforms. They were not ready for visitors.
We went straight for some snacks before walking around the park. We visited the green houses, very pretty. We spent a few hours walking downslope slowly, taking pictures. The trees started to turn colours, from green to orange/red. Beautiful. There were many foreign visitors here. Oh, the cable car only allowed at most 5 pax, so two of us combined with another 2 pleasant & friendly Japanese ladies from Nara. Staff & gardeners were all very courteous & efficient.
We had a lovely trip to Nunobiki Garden.
More about Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway from our blog
Frequently Asked Questions
The gardens feature over 75,000 herbs and flowers across various themed areas, including an herb museum, a glasshouse, and beautiful walking paths with stunning views of Kobe and the surrounding landscape.
The ropeway is an aerial tramway that transports visitors from Shin-Kobe Station to the top of the herb gardens. The scenic ride offers breathtaking views of Kobe, the ocean, and the lush greenery below.
Yes, several dining options exist, including a cafe with panoramic views and a restaurant offering dishes made with fresh herbs from the gardens.
Yes, the gardens host various seasonal events, including herb workshops, illumination displays during the winter, and special flower festivals in spring and summer.
Pets are not allowed inside the gardens, with the exception of service animals.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is one of Kobe’s most charming and relaxing attractions, offering a perfect blend of nature, city views, and gentle adventure.
The experience begins with the ropeway ride, which smoothly lifts you above the forested slopes of Mount Rokko. As the cabins rise, sweeping views of Kobe’s skyline, the harbor, and Osaka Bay unfold, making the ascent a photographic highlight in itself.
At the top, the herb garden feels like a peaceful European hillside village. Seasonal flowers, aromatic herbs, and carefully designed terraces create a calm atmosphere that invites slow exploration. Each garden area has its own character, from colorful flower beds to quieter wooded paths, all beautifully maintained and ideal for both wide landscape shots and intimate detail photography.
For photographers, the light changes constantly throughout the day, offering soft morning tones, crisp midday clarity, and warm late-afternoon colors. The elevated viewpoints provide excellent compositions of the city below, while the gardens themselves are perfect for close-ups, textures, and natural color palettes. Benches and cafés along the way make it easy to pause, observe, and wait for the right moment.
Descending by ropeway at sunset is especially memorable, as Kobe gradually lights up beneath you. Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is not just a sightseeing spot, but a serene visual journey that rewards patience, curiosity, and a love for beautifully framed landscapes—an essential stop for Photolator photographers visiting Kobe.
This was a true highlight of our trip to Japan. The place is beautiful! Starting with the cable car up, the views are fantastic, you can see clear across and they even slow the cable car to get photo of the hidden waterfall. Once you get to the top there is another gorgeous view but you also have an opportunity to stop and take a break and have a little something to eat and drink. The best part of visiting is that you have time to take your perfect photo (not me I am a walk n shoot type of girl) the hustle and bustle you get in other places doesn’t happen here. Everyone waited patiently. This is the perfect place to get your zen, oh and they have hammocks throughout the gardens so you can truly enjoy your surrounds.
Visited this gem of a place as part of my Kobe day trip from Osaka. Would I recommend this place? Yes! While it is not as iconic, it is a great place with lesser crowd to enjoy the view and pretty plants at own pace.
It was sunny in June. At the ticketing counter, we had to redeem physical ticket from our online booking before we can enter the cable car. At the top, umbrella can be borrowed FoC. There were a cafe, souvenir, and perfume shop. It was fun to check out fragrances made from different flowers.
I recommend taking the cable car up, and walking down to midway for the return trip. This way, you can see more plants on the way down including some of the prettiest photo spots, a glasshouse, and most importantly, lavender ice cream to battle the heat of the sun!
We spent 2-3 hours before lunch time.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is a popular place for visitors in Kobe. If you go late in the day, it is usually very crowded. Many people line up to take the ropeway, so you may need to wait for a long time.
The ropeway ride itself is smooth and offers a nice view while going up. When you reach the top, you can see a wide view of Kobe city and the sea. The city view is clear and beautiful, especially in good weather. However, apart from the view, there is not much else that feels special or memorable.
The herb garden is calm and well-kept, but it may feel simple if you expect many attractions or activities. For some visitors, the experience may feel short and not very exciting.
Another point to consider is the ticket price. The ropeway ticket is quite expensive compared to what you get. Overall, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is okay for city views, but it can feel crowded, limited, and a bit costly, especially if you visit late.
