Arriving at the top of Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway is a breathtaking experience that rewards visitors with sweeping views of Kobe, lush scents, and a tapestry of color from one of Japan’s largest herb gardens. The 10-minute ropeway ride gently soars above the city, revealing vistas of Mount Rokko, Kobe Port, and beyond, before you are welcomed by meticulously curated gardens that bloom in harmony with the changing seasons.

Lounging in a hammock beneath a canopy of greenery, I took in the panoramic views, the city stretched out far below, the bay glinting in the distance—a peaceful escape that felt worlds away from the bustle. Wandering winding paths, every sense was awakened: petals bright with color, leaves shimmering in the sun, and a cooling breeze carrying layers of scent—mint, lavender, rosemary—at every turn. The glasshouse was a wonder, bursting with tropical fruits, while the herb footbath offered a blissful pause to relax and take in the serene beauty of the mountainside.