Nunobiki Ropeway

The Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway (神戸布引ロープウェイ) offers one of the most scenic aerial experiences in Kobe, lifting visitors from Shin-Kobe Station up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain range. As the gondola ascends, passengers are treated to sweeping views of Kobe's skyline, Nunobiki Waterfall, and the lush mountainside greenery. The ropeway makes a brief stop at the mid-station near the Nunobiki Herb Garden before continuing to the top station, where a panoramic observation deck reveals breathtaking vistas of Kobe—especially magical after sunset. At the summit, travelers can unwind at a rest house that features a café, a garden-themed restaurant, and a shop selling herb-based products, teas, and essential oils. Nearby, the Rose Symphony Garden enhances the atmosphere with classical music and blooming roses, offering a unique sensory experience.

For those who prefer to explore on foot, the area is a hiker’s paradise. A forested trail beginning at Shin-Kobe Station leads to the 43-meter Nunobiki Waterfall, renowned for its elegant, cloth-like cascade. About five minutes further lies the Miharashi Observatory, offering a peaceful overlook of the city below. From there, a 20-minute climb brings hikers to the ropeway’s mid-station and the lower entrance of the Nunobiki Herb Garden, home to over 75,000 herbs and seasonal blooms arranged across themed terraces. Inside the garden, a glasshouse conservatory showcases exotic plants, fruit trees, and year-round floral displays. For more adventurous trekkers, a separate 30-minute trail bypasses the garden entirely and leads straight to the ropeway’s top station, where the path continues on toward Mount Maya—one of the Rokko range’s most iconic peaks.