Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway: the ultimate 2026 guide
- japansophy
- 16 hours ago
- 6 min read
For some of the best views in Kansai, a pleasant hour or two in meticulously maintained gardens, complete with tropical greenhouse, a forest walk to a hidden waterfall and a gondola ride to boot, set aside an afternoon (or morning) to explore Kobe's Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway. If you do nothing else in Kobe, do this!
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*All prices below are as of February 2026 and are subject to change)
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When we lived in Kobe, every friend or family member who came to visit was whisked up to the Herb Garden, and for every single guest it was a stand-out experience in their Japan trip. While we encourage everybody to get to know Kobe up close and personal, a visit to the Herb Gardens on the ropeway is such a no-brainer. And it's only a few steps away from the Shinkansen station, so it's perfect even as a Kobe taster if you're on your way to or from Hiroshima or Kyushu..
Getting to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Park and Ropeway
Unless you're a keen hiker and have some time to spare, you're going to take the ropeway up to the top of the Herb Gardens. The lower station of the ropeway is pretty much right beside Shin-Kobe shinkansen station, so you'll want to get here first. Don't take the Shinkansen from Kyoto or Osaka to Kobe unless you have the Japan Rail Pass or are in a hurry: it will cost 3-4 times the price of a regular ticket.
From Osaka
Take the JR Special Rapid (Shinkaisoku) from JR Osaka station to Sannomiya station (around 20 mins, 420 yen*). You can also take the Hankyu or Hanshin lines from Osaka Umeda station, for slightly slower but also slightly cheaper options.
From Kyoto
Take the JR Special Rapid from Kyoto station to Sannomiya (51 minutes, 1110 yen*).
From Sannomiya station you can now take the subway (Seishin-Yamate line; 2 mins, 210 yen*) or a local bus (no. 2, 64 or 92, 230 yen*) up the hill to Shin-Kobe station. It is possible to walk - it will take about 25 mins, but the direct route is a slightly uphill, pretty dull slog alongside a very busy main road.
At Shin-Kobe station, you'll arrive inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Follow the signs for the Herb Gardens and Ropeway. The ticket gates are just a few metres to the west of the hotel.
Shin Kobe Ropeway
Even if you don't want to spend too much time in the Herb Gardens, the ropeway is a journey in itself. The gondolas have wide windows for 360° views of the city of Kobe, the bay and even Osaka and Kyoto on a clear day. Don't forget to try and catch a glimpse of Nunobiki Falls one the right-hand side as you go up! The ropeway is wheelchair- and baby-stroller-friendly and the journey to the top takes around 10 minutes.
There's a lower station, an upper station and a mid-way station. Go all the way to the top for the best views. The classic route is to take the ropeway up to the top, walk down through the Herb Gardens to the mid-way station and take the ropeway back down to Shin-Kobe. It's also possible to walk the whole way down and take in Nunobiki Falls on the way.
Hours and fares
The ropeway opens at 9:30 am, with the last gondola going up at 4:45pm and the last gondola going down at 5:15pm. Between the end of July and the end of August and on weekends and public holidays in September through to the end of November, hours are extended to allow visitors to enjoy the "million dollar" nighttime views of Kobe and Osaka Bay (upwards until 20:15, downwards until 9pm). The ropeway is closed for a few days at certain times of the year for maintenance and will also be closed at short notice in bad weather, so check the official website here before you go.
Tickets for the return journey are currently 2000 yen for adults and 1000 yen for elementary and junior high school students. A one way ticket is 1400 yen for adults and 700 for children. These prices are set to rise in April 2026 to 2500 yen for adults (one-way 1900 yen) and 1250 yen for children (one-way 950 yen). Prices include entry to the gardens.
Beat the queues and buy your tickets on Klook in advance by clicking on the button below. If you already have your ticket, you can go straight to the 4th floor boarding area.
Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Arriving at the top of the ropeway, you step out into the Welcome Garden, comprising a wide plaza with stunning views and a restaurant /gift shop building supposedly designed to look like Wartburg Castle in Germany.
The path down to the mid-way ropeway station leads you through 12 different garden areas, including a lavender garden, a kitchen garden, a rose garden and an oriental garden. Half-way are the iconic glasshouses filled with tropical plants but also with a spice museum and the Veranda café lounge with its spacious patio. Down near the mid-way station is the Kaze no Oka (Windy Hill) lawn area that's perfect for a picnic. From late spring to summer, the Herb Gardens even set out hammocks here (and in a few other locations), so you can relax for a while after all that herb-sniffing.
Be aware that, although it is possible to do the garden route without steps, the path is very steep in places.
The gardens end here at the mid-way station but the path down past the station will take you right the way down to Shin-Kobe again.
Nunobiki waterfalls
Leaving the Herb Gardens at the mid-way ropeway station, you can walk on down the sign-posted path to Shin-Kobe station, passing Nunobiki Falls as you go. The path is mostly through forest, so is nice and shady on a sunny day, and it should take you around 30 minutes to wander the whole way down. First, you'll pass Nunobiki Ontaki, a narrow 43-metre-high waterfall into a pond. A little further down the path, you'll see Nunobiki Mentaki, a broader, veil-like waterfall. Keep heading down and around 10 minutes later, you'll emerge again into civilisation at Shin-Kobe station!
Japansophy's tips for a day out at Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway
Try the ice-cream
What's a herb garden without herb ice-cream? The lavender-flavoured softserve ice-cream here has become a social media sensation and basically a right of passage. Other flavours such as mint are also available. Buy it up at the Welcome Garden. Ice-cream is also available in the Veranda café lounge.
Rent some toys for the kids
You can borrow toys and games such as balls, hula hoops and frisbees down at the lower station, so you can keep the kiddies entertained on Windy Hill while you relax in a hammock and soak in the views
Special events
There's always something going on at the Herb Gardens, often tied to the seasons and blooming periods for certain flowers and herbs. Check the website to see what's on. The Events section is only available on the Japanese site but it is updated regularly and can be easily translated in your browser if needs be.
Go in the late afternoon
In August and on weekends well into the autumn, the Herb Gardens are open until late. Take the ropeway in the evening and you'll not only enjoy stunning sunset and nighttime views, but you'll also save some money too - the ropeway fares are reduced after 5pm!
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway FAQ
Can I walk to Nunobiki waterfall in Kobe?
Yes, you can! It's an uphill hike of around 15 minutes from Shin-Kobe station
How do I get to the Shin Kobe ropeway?
The lower station for the ropeway is just a few metres to the west of Shin-Kobe station. When you exit the station, you'll already see the signs for the ropeway.
How long does the Kobe ropeway take?
From the lower station up to the top takes around 10 minutes. Then you'll need another 10 minutes to get back down via the ropeway (the alternative is to walk). There could well be waiting times, too, that you'll have to factor in.
Is the Kobe Herb Garden and Ropeway worth it?
We've been to the Herb Garden on the ropeway many times and consider it a lovely day out. The views from the top are spectacular (if the weather is on your side of course) and it's a beautiful place to enjoy some slow tourism, escape the city and spend some outdoor time. The gardens themselves are more beautiful at certain times of the year, so in winter, for example, you might enjoy the cable car ride more than hanging out in the gardens.
Is there somewhere to eat in the Kobe Herb gardens?
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes, up at the top and at the glasshouses, offering everything from main-course meals to snacks and drinks. You can also bring a picnic with you: there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy an al fresco onigiri or bento.
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