Wandering down from the upper gardens toward the next gondola station felt like walking through a living storybook at Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden. Each turn in the stone path opened up a new scene, from rose‑covered arches and tucked‑away benches to bright borders overflowing with flowers and herbs.

I passed through the Potager area, where beds of vegetables and herbs were arranged so beautifully that the whole space looked more like art than a kitchen garden. A little further on, the Lavender and Four Seasons Garden spread out in soft waves of color, with layers of green trees wrapping the hillside and hammocks and deck chairs inviting everyone to slow down and just breathe in the scent of the plants.

Looking back, I could see the glasshouse and buildings perched on the slope and, beyond them, Kobe city and the bay stretching into the distance, a reminder of how high up in the mountains this peaceful escape really is. It was a gentle downhill walk, but the memories of those gardens and views feel like they will stay with me for a long time.