Sorakuen Garden, Kobe

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Kobe is almost synonymous these days with its Herb Gardens at the top of the Nunobiki Ropeway but there's a gorgeous little Japanese-style garden tucked away in the north-west of the city centre that few tourists know about and very much worth a side-quest in Kobe: Sorakuen. You might even have the place all to yourself.

What is there to see in Sorakuen Garden in Kobe?

Sorakuen used to be a private garden, so it's not vast by any means. We spent an hour or so here last time. In the centre is a beautiful pond with koi and a little stone bridge. Around this pond are paths that pass beautifully sculpted trees and bushes - we were lucky to see one of the gardeners at work, up a ladder and shaping the upper reaches of a tree-, a little waterfall, a boathouse and a teahouse. The boathouse is designated an important cultural property, as are the Kodama family stables just outside the main garden area.

Not far from the entrance gate is a huge camphor tree, said to be 500 years old. We have photos of it from 1994, so we can guarantee that it's at least that old! Also on the property is the Hassam House - one of Kobe's famous ijinkan (foreign residences) built after the port opened up to foreign trade in the 19th century. As a sort of memorial, the massive stone chimney that collapsed during the 1995 earthquake and caused damage to several rooms lies in the Hassam House's front garden.

Here and there are benches where you can sit and take in the surroundings - it's quiet here and, although Kobe's skyscrapers rise up behind the garden, it's hard to believe that you are in the centre of a city of 1.5 million people. As a "strolling garden", Sorakuen is designed so that you can walk around and discover lots of different views. I found the little waterfall, with its chonky orange, yellow, white and black koi swimming in the pond below, it especially cute. And the little stepping stones and fern-lined paths are like something out of a fairytale.

Best time of year to visit Sorakuen Garden in Kobe

We've seen Sorakuen in every season and it's charming all year round but it is especially famous for its azalea bushes, which burst into a riot of pink, white and purple blooms in late April. It's extremely pretty, of course, but you also have to reckon with formidable crowds - especially at weekends. If you do want to visit during azalea season, try and get a head start on everyone else by being there when the garden opens at 9am.

Another gorgeous but also crowded time of year is mid-November to early December, when the autumn colour is at its peak. The garden has a lot of Japanese maple trees, making it a favourite spot for momiji-viewing. It's still going to be less crowded than the famous equivalents in Kyoto or Nara, though, so maybe this is a bit of an insider tip to experience autumn leaves in a beautiful, traditional Japanese garden without having to jostle for every photo.

I also really love Sorakuen in late spring, or even the rainy season, when its less busy and lush green with new maple leaves and mossy corners.

Is it worth visiting Sorakuen in Kobe?

With world famous Japanese gardens elsewhere in Kansai, specifically in Kyoto and Nara, I wouldn't recommend travelling all the way from there to Kobe just for Sorakuen. But if you're based in Kobe or can spare an hour on a day trip to the city, I highly recommend putting it on your list. The great thing about it is also that few international tourists know about it (yet) and the locals tend to visit only for events like the azalea festival or to take wedding photos (which is also lovely to see - we saw two different couples on wedding-photo shoots on our last visit), so you might have the whole garden largely to yourself - something that will never happen in Kyoto or Nara.

How to get to Sorakuen Garden in Kobe

Sorakuen is about a 20-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, to the west and slightly north. If you are combining it with a visit to Ikuta Jinja, you can exit the shrine grounds to the north west, walk 20 metres up towards the main road and follow that road to the west for another 750 metres or so. The nearest train station is Kencho-Mae on the city's Seishin-Yamate subway line (one stop from Sannomiya). Sorakuen is about 3 minutes' walk north of Kencho-Mae Station.

Sorakuen visitor info

Opening hours are 9am - 5pm, with last entrance at 4:30pm. The garden is usually closed on Thursday but opens every day during the azalea season. Admission is 300 yen for adults, 150 yen for children up to the age of 15.

Curious about what else Kobe has to offer? Our other Kobe posts might be useful:

• Take a look at our definitive Kobe bucket list for 25+ things to see and do in this fantastic city.

• Have a break from the busy city streets in Meriken Park and check out Port Tower while you're there.

• Coming into Kobe on a cruise? Find out how to get around Kobe as a cruise port

• Spending a few days in Kobe is always a great option. Read our tips on where to stay before you book

• Don't forget that Kobe has an airport. It might make sense for your trip.

• One of Japan's oldest onsen resorts is in Kobe - Arima Onsen

  
  

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