This is a must-see in Kobe. We visited in April 2025, and it was absolutely stunning. We spent about three hours exploring with a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old. Near the midway point, there’s a section with a large open field featuring balls, hula hoops, stilts, and discs to throw, which was a hit with the kids. Along the walk, there are a couple of spots to grab soft serve – one with a strawberry theme and the other offering lavender-flavored soft serve. There are plenty of restrooms along the route, which was convenient. I highly recommend taking the ropeway at the midway point, as the walk becomes significantly more difficult afterward. The sandy dirt and leaves made the second half hazardous, especially with young children and a camera. While there are a couple of waterfalls and a view near the dam, it wasn’t as impressive as the first half and felt a bit too risky. I would also advise against taking the shortcut on the way down – it’s steep and narrow, with dry ground covered in leaves, making it slippery and dangerous. However, if you do take the path down, there’s a restaurant near the Nunobiki Waterfall that smells absolutely delicious. You can dine with a view of the falls, making it a great spot to rest and enjoy the scenery. Despite the challenges, we’ll definitely return in the future.
The entrance to the cable cars is just a walking distance from the Shin Kobe Station, there are directions everywhere so you can easily spot it. I definitely recommend buying the round trip pass for the cable cars tickets, that way even when you are already midway down you can ride again to the top and buy stuff at the restaurants there as there are no more restaurants down below the road, just some snack or ice cream stands. You can see the nunobiki falls from the cable cars. The view is amazing and there are a lot of things to see. There are also different activities to do there and they sell herbs at the top. Overall, a great experience! Recommend this to people who like being with nature and nice views of the city.
The Kobe Herb Garden is a delightful experience with stunning views that are truly worth the trip. While the gardens weren’t in full bloom during my visit, I imagine they’d be spectacular in spring. The cable car ride adds a unique charm, offering panoramic sights of Kobe and beyond. I also loved the Christmas theme—it added a festive and magical touch to the visit. The hammocks were another highlight, offering a perfect spot to relax and take in the serene atmosphere. And I can’t forget the lavender ice cream—absolutely delicious and refreshing! I’d highly recommend visiting, especially in spring or during the holiday season for the full experience.
This is definitely a must-visit if you’re ever in Kobe! It’s conveniently located next to the station, and the entrance wait was only about 20 minutes. We opted for a one-way cable car ticket to the top, which allowed us to enjoy a scenic walk through the herb garden on the way down.
One highlight of our visit was trying the lavender ice cream—my absolute favorite! The gardens are beautiful and relaxing, and we also took time to check out the dam and waterfall, which added to the serene experience. We left feeling refreshed and would definitely come back. Highly recommend this peaceful escape in Kobe!
The cable car offers beautiful view of the port of Kobe, as well as the hill. The garden itself very interesting. Various plants bloom depends on the season. The have a shop with different kind of items, from tea, perfume, souvenirs, to a mushroom self-grown-kit.
We got up to the hill by the cable car and went down by feet. Halfway down, we could still enjoy the garden and the view. But the rest, after the cable car station, it was a bit challenging as it was a quiet steep asphalt road. There was a beautiful fall on the way, tho.
So if you want a comfort, you can buy a two way ticket for the cable car.
