Hidden Gem in Kobe: Nunobiki Herb Garden
Tourists who travel to Osaka will most probably include Kyoto and Nara on their itinerary to make most out of their trip. Kobe is also part of Kansai Region and it is easily accessible from Osaka. If you take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Kobe, it will take less than 20 minutes and if you will take the rapid express train, it will take around 40 minutes. Most travelers often overlook Kobe for Kyoto and Nara but if you have more time, I highly recommend that you take a day trip from Osaka to Kobe. Our first stop in Kobe is the Nunobiki Herb Garden. If you are planning a trip to Japan, there are also several great Discover Japan tours available.
The Nunobiki Herb Garden is just a walking distance from the Shin-Kobe station. Once you exit the station, you’ll see lots of signs and directions that will lead you to the herb garden.
In order to get to the herb garden, you need to either hike to the top or take a round-trip cable car at Shin-Kobe Ropeway. The entrance fee of the garden is included in the cable car ticket.
Once you reach the top, the first thing you’ll see is the highlight of the garden which is the main building called the View Rest House. The building is inspired by European architecture, it looks like a little town or village you can see on storybooks.
Outside the building, there’s an outdoor cafe where can have a snack and drinks while just enjoying the atmosphere. It reminds me of the alfresco restaurants you can see in Europe. This place has so many European vibes.
There are also several beautiful flowers that surround the area. I love to see beautiful and colorful flowers because it just makes me feel so cheerful and happy.
The main building is the top station of the ropeway, you can hike down to the middle station where you can see the glasshouse, museums and more gift shops. The first thing you’ll see once you go down the middle station is the glasshouse.
The glasshouse looks small from outside but it is actually really big and spacious inside. You can also pretend to have your own tea party inside the glasshouse. It has also a second floor so there’s actually a lot to explore in this glasshouse.
My favorite part of the glasshouse is this garden wall. There’s actually a small waterfall behind this wall, this place is really relaxing.
We only spent half day in Kobe so we only visited Nunobiki Herb Garden and ate lunch at Kobe Steakland. You can also choose to visit Himeji Castle in the morning before you explore Kobe in the afternoon to maximize your day.
If you have more time in Kobe, here are some places where you might be interested in:
You can also check out my posts about other cities in Japan
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Fae Celine
Ever since starting her travel blog on April 2019, Fae has loved taking photographs of new places and sharing them online. Now, in her 20s, take a peek in her life as she pulls you into a world of travel, food and lifestyle.
41 Comments
anshul
Wow, I had never heard about this place and it is truly a hidden gem. the art, architecture and the gardens are simply mesmerizing.
Fae Celine
this garden is even more beautiful at night time since this place will be illuminated 🙂
Geraline Batarra
Such a wonderful place..! So many flowers, and they are so colorful..! Love it.. Thanks for sharing..!
Anita
This hidden garden looks so cute! I am glad you found it. It’s perfect for a little break and having coffee. I hope not many tourists will reach there.
Fae Celine
we didn’t see any tourists when we went to the herb garden, almost everyone there were locals. I’m not sure if it was just not a busy day or only few knows about this place
Medha Verma
I visited Kobe for a very short while and only for tasting authentic kobe beef, I wasn’t disappointed! However, this herb garden also looks like quite a cool place to hang out, especially the experience of taking the cable car up to it. Quite a hidden gem, I’d say!
Fae Celine
the cable car ride was my favorite, you can see the beautiful view of the city, sea and mountains. it’s a great and unique experience 🙂
Merryn
What a beautiful garden and neat cable-car ride! I’ve never been to Kobe but this looks like a good respite from any crowds – doesn’t seem that touristy. How long is the hike up to the top and were people walking up or mainly taking the cable car?
Fae Celine
the hike will take a lot of time, around 1 hour but you can also stop to take photos. I saw a lot of locals who prefers to hike to the top and there was almost no queue for the cable car ride. If you have a lot of time, hiking would be great but if you are in a rush, the 10 minute cable car ride would be better 🙂
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
What a beautiful, off-the-beaten-path experience! The cable car looks like a lot of fun and the views look amazing! Are the herbs harvested and used for anything like medicine, or is it just a decorative garden?
Fae Celine
they have herb museums inside and they also sell herb products 🙂
Shane Prather
I always love venturing off of the tourist path to find places you never otherwise would have. This is such a fun find!
Fae Celine
me too, I love to discover less mainstream places whenever I am traveling
Brittany
Kobe seems like such an interesting city to visit in Japan! I’d love to check this place out and try the local cuisine. This is where the big earthquake was also right?
Fae Celine
yes, the Merinken port has a memorial area for the victims of the earthquake
Eden
This place looks pretty cool, it looks like it would make a great spot for a photo shoot. I like finding peaceful little places like this when visiting a new place too.
Thelittlelai: Beyond limits
I haven’t been to Japan before, and I only heard about Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, but not Kobe. So, with what you shared, I’m sure to include Kobe If I get the chance to visit Japan soon. Anyway, I’m a huge fan of the garden like this, so I will surely visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden. I find it very refreshing and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Jennifer Pompaski
I have heard great things about Japan! Now I want to visit badly!!! I want to ride that ropeway girl! By the way, you look good!
Fae Celine
thank you for reading!
Yukti Agrawal
Nunobiki Herb Garden is really an offbeat and hidden gem in Kobe. The view from Shin-Kobe Ropeway is stunning. Kobe Herb Garden Middle Station is truly photogenic place.
StylishGeek
It has been eons since I have been back in Osaka! I definitely would want to visit this place! Thanks for letting me know!
Wren LaPorte
Oh my, this place looks completely amazing. I would love to go to this hidden gem!
Michael
Do you live in Japan currently? I am so interested to ask many things. You can be our guide if given the chance haha! Would you do such a thing?
Kathy Kenny Ngo
I’m sure that place smelled really good with all the herbs. Picturesque as always.
Dana Brillante-Peller
Such a lovely garden. I like the different designs you find throughout.
Rosey
I bet it’s fun to ride to the top. The views up high are always gorgeous.
Fae Celine
Yes!! the view from the top and while riding the cable car was really amazing!
Crystal Carder
That looks like a gorgeous and relaxing place to visit! I think I would love going down the cable car the most!
Fae Celine
the cable car experience was my favorite!
Sophia
Wow the places that you visit are always so beautiful! I would love to go visit here.
The Southern Thing
This looks like a lovely place to visit!
Alexandra Cook
Looks like you have found a perfect place tp relax. I love this, and it looks so peacful and quiet. Will def add this on our list.
Akriti
The herb garden looks so lovely and peaceful. I would really want to visit it someday!
Avanti Chaturvedi
Beautiful place! You are beautiful too 🙂
Fae Celine
thank you 🙂
Samar
The place and you, both are looking absolutely stunning.
Pictures are looking great.
Stephanie
I would love to visit the herb gardens. This looks like such a gorgeous place. I think I would ride the cable car up to see it all from above and walk back down to take the path in from ground level.
Maysz
Your photos look totally stunning and I love the amazing view Osaka is a dream place for me Lucky you!
Patricia Chamberlain
This herb garden looks like a wonderful place to visit! I have never rode a cable car like that, so I think it would be an overall fun experience.
Flossie McCowald
I have never been to Japan at all, let alone to Kobe. But this looks like a beautiful place to visit indeed!
Olya AMANOVA
You spent lovely time in a beautiful place and shared your blissful memories with us. Very generous of you. The photos are very colorful and you look charming.