A wonderful, less traveled series of hikes and shops at the top of a mountain in Kobe! Went on a weekday in April and it was empty. All shops open, but no tourists or locals. Wonderful, and easy to get around by bus once up there.
A less commercial sightseeing experience compared to Mount Fuji or Hakone. Very chilly and windy but an enjoyable experience. Cable car was unfortunately under renovation when we visited so there was a shuttle bus service (1100yen round trip) instead that goes up to the observatory. You need to take another bus (380yen one way) up to the ropeway station. The ropeway was 1850yen for a round trip. It was crowded when taking the ropeway to the top but very quiet when going back down.
We only went to rokko sanjo station and stopped at the tenren observatory. It was a chilly day and very windy so we decided not to keep going. You have to pay a few transfers to get up to the first observation point. We took a bus to rokkomichi, and then paid for the cable car. If u wanted to keep going, u would have to pay for another cable car or bus. The cost adds up. While the view was nice (and likely nicer at night or sunset), there was nothing immediately to do outside of rokko sanjo. The one cafe was closed that day… there were no touristy shops or trinket shops or eateries nearby (might be a good thing depending on who you talk to)… and i found interesting that the area around the observatory was unkempt - weeds and dead leaves growing. I just find that unusual given that other touristy spots are very well maintained and greenery is always consistently manicured. We went on a weekday and perhaps it is busier and livelier on weekends. Admittedly we did not venture further up where there seems to be more touristy things (a tourist info center, a garden, possibly hiking opps), but we werent sure whether it would be worth paying more to risk things being closed since we were there mid afternoon and the weather was not super permitting.
Do check the weather forecast unlike me. Took the tram up because it was foggy and drizzling. Then decided to take the bus to R07 Garden Terrace. Proceeded to hike up via road to this summit. 40minutes one way.
There are also trails leading to the summit, but they start and end on the paved road.
