Rokkosan Snow Park

Rokkosan Snow Park is a winter sports facility located on Mount Rokko in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Situated at an elevation of approximately 931 meters, the park operates as one of the closest ski and snow play areas to the Kansai metropolitan region, making it particularly accessible for day visitors from Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. The facility opened in 1932 as one of Japan's earliest ski resorts, taking advantage of Mount Rokko's reliably snowy winters and its proximity to major urban centers.

Mount Rokko itself has long held significance as a natural landmark overlooking Osaka Bay, and the mountain range has been developed for recreation since the early 20th century when foreign residents in Kobe established various leisure facilities in the area. The snow park represents part of this broader recreational development, transforming the mountain into a winter destination while maintaining views across the Hanshin region. The park's longevity reflects its role in introducing winter sports to generations of Kansai residents who might otherwise need to travel much farther to mountain regions.

The park offers multiple snow activities beyond traditional skiing and snowboarding. The facility includes beginner-friendly slopes suitable for first-time skiers, as well as a dedicated snow play area where families can enjoy sledding, snow tubing, and building snowmen. Ski and snowboard equipment rentals are available on-site, and the park operates a ski school with instructors for those learning winter sports. The relatively compact size makes it manageable for visitors with limited time, and the elevation provides scenic winter views over Kobe and the surrounding coastline on clear days.

Access to Rokkosan Snow Park requires taking the Rokko Cable Car from Rokko Cable Shita Station, which connects to JR Rokko Station or Hankyu Rokko Station via local bus. From the upper cable car station at Rokko Sanjo, visitors transfer to the Rokko Sky Shuttle Bus, which operates during the winter season and reaches the snow park in approximately 10 minutes. The journey involves about 30-40 minutes of total travel time from central Kobe. Admission to the park costs 2,200 yen for adults and 1,100 yen for children during standard periods, with separate fees for equipment rentals. The facility typically operates from December through March, depending on snow conditions, with artificial snowmaking equipment supplementing natural snowfall to extend the season.