Mount Rokko, Kobe

last update: November 13, 2020

Things to see and things to do on Mount Rokko

First of all, although the name "Mount Rokko" suggests the idea of a single mountain, this name indicates a vast mountainous area. Three different cable cars/ropeways connect different areas of these mountains with different areas of Kobe, and a fourth ropeway brings to Arima Onsen.

However, the term "Monte Rokko" is often used to refer to a particular area, namely that connected by the so-called Rokko cable car. In this area there is also the highest peak of these mountains, called Rokkōsan-Saikōhō (literally, "the highest peak of the Rokkō mountains").

Panoramic views

In Japan there is a sort of official list of the "three most famous night views of Japan" (日本 三大 夜景, Nihon Sandai Yakei). The view from the Rokko mountains is one of them. From there you have a wide view of the whole Hanshin region (Osaka and Kobe), highly urbanized and therefore also highly illuminated, plus the sea of the Akaishi Strait and Osaka Bay, sometimes even the artificial island of Osaka Kansai airport.
You can enjoy the view from different places on these mountains. In particular, the most famous places are Tenrandai, Kikuseidai, Rokko Garden Terrace and Shidare Observatory. More details in the rest of the page.

Ropeways and cable cars to climb the Rokko mountains

Let's now discover, one by one, the ropeways and cable cars that go up to the Rokko mountains.

Rokko-Arima Ropeway

A further cable car connects the station of Rokko Sancho (connected by bus with Rokko Sanjo station) with the spa town of Arima Onsen, a small haven of tranquility on the other side of the mountains surrounding the city of Kobe.

Nunobiki Waterfalls

The Nunobiki Waterfalls are a group of different waterfalls located here and there along the hiking trails between Shin Kobe station and Nunobiki Herb Garden. In total, there are four waterfalls: Mendaki, Ondaki, Tsusumigadaki and Izumoki.

Nunobiki Herb Garden

(opening hours 10-17, until 20:30 in summer and on weekends in spring and autumn)
They are the largest herb gardens in Japan, with around 75,000 herbs and flowers of around 200 species that bloom throughout the year. The park is built on the slopes of the mountain, and from inside the park it is often possible to enjoy the panorama of the city in the background.

Other tourist attractions

All these places of interest listed below are located in the Rokko Mountains, all within 2-3 km from Rokko Sanjo station of the Rokko Cablecar. You could get almost everywhere on foot but it is quite tiring. For the laziest, a circular bus line connects Rokko Sanjo station with all these attractions.

Where to stay on Mount Rokko, Kobe

There are not many accommodation options on these mountains. The location is also quite hard to reach without a car.
It is only worth mentioning the Hotel de Maya, located on Mount Maya about 700 meters from the arrival station of the Maya Ropeway and Kikuseidai. The hotel is surrounded by greenery, and some rooms offer a panoramic view. But don't expect the $10 million view, for that you have to walk 10 minutes. The outdoor jacuzzi tub is very exciting, with a sauna next to it to warm up immediately after getting out of the tub. Inside the hotel there are also public baths with large pools and a restaurant. If you decide to spend a night in this hotel we recommend booking dinner at the hotel restaurant because there is practically nothing else in the surrounding area. Check the price on booking.com.

How to climb Mount Rokko, Kobe

The three starting stations in the city of the cable cars that go up the mountains are located in different areas of the city. It is very easy to reach Mount Rokko even if you come from Osaka.

Shin-Kobe Ropeway

The lower station of the Shin-kobe Ropeway is just 5 minutes walk from JR Shin-Kobe station, just 1 km from the Sannomiya area. You can reach it on foot or in 2 minutes by train.
Check this page for opening hours and fees.

Maya Cable car

The lower station of the Maya Cable car is located about 4 km from the railway station of Sannomiya. You can reach it through the city buses No.18 or No.2.
Alternatively, if you want to use the train, you can take the Hankyu Kōbe Main Line and get off at Ōji-kōen. From there, the cable car to Mount Maya is about a 15-minute walk away.
Check this page for opening hours and fees.

Rokko Cable car

The lower station of the Rokko Cable car is the furthest from the city center, about 6 km from Sannomiya. First you must get to one of the following railway stations and then continue by bus or on foot:

• Hankyu Rokko station by taking the Hankyu Kobe Main Line, 7 minutes from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya station and 30 minutes from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda station. This station is located about 2 km from the cable car station, and you can get there by the city bus No.6 or No.106.
• JR Rokkomichi station by taking the JR Kobe Line, 6 minutes from JR Sannomiya station and 25 minutes from JR Osaka station. This station is located about 3 km from the cable car, and you can get there by the city bus No.6 or No.106.
• Hanshin Mikage station by taking the Hanshin Kobe Line, 5 minutes from Hanshin Kobe-Sannomiya station and 28 minuti from Hanshin Osaka-Umeda station. This station is located about 4 km from the cable car, and you can get there by the city bus No.6.

Check this page for opening hours and fees.

How to get around Mount Rokko

Two bus lines allow you to go around on the mountains once you go up via one of the cable cars. The Rokko Sanjo Bus connects the arrival station of the Rokko Cable car with many attractions in the area (here you can find fees, timetables and other information); the Rokko-Maya sky shuttle bus connects the arrival station of the Maya Ropeway and Kikuseidai with the arrival station of Rokko Cable car and Tenrandai.

Rokkosan Tourist Pass

A cumulative ticket for tourists with a foreign passport only, which includes all transport to visit the area of Mount Rokko including unlimited use of the Rokko Sanjo Bus, and also several discount coupons for various attractions. This pass cannot be purchased at the departure station of the cable car but must be purchased in advance in Osaka or Sannomiya in some designated spots. Further information here.

Map of Mount Rokko, Kobe

Guided tours, activities and other things to do

If you are planning a trip to Japan and you want to do something more than just visiting famous places and monuments, we suggest you to use Rakuten Travel Experiences.

How to use Rakuten Travel Experiences

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Because of the language barrier (and more), in Japan it is very difficult to interact with the locals and to get off the tourist track.
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