Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden & INS Influencer ATOA Aquarium One-Day Tour

▼Nunobiki Herb Gardens‑Japan's largest herb garden, a perfect fusion of a stunning aerial ropeway and twelve seasonal flower gardens (about 3 hours, free to choose how to explore, lunch & ropeway fees at your own expense)

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is Japan's largest herb garden, home to approximately 200 species and 75,000 plants of flowers and herbs. 12 themed gardens spread across the hillside, with flowers and herbs blooming in vibrant colours throughout the seasons. (If you get tired from walking, you can take a break at the hammocks and herbal foot baths in the garden, and in spring you can even lie down and enjoy the cherry blossoms~)

Recommended Option 1: Take the ropeway round trip, leaving ample time to explore

Recommended Option 2: Take a one‑way ropeway (outbound), and hike back on foot to enjoy more natural scenery

Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway

Experience the 1,460m‑long aerial ropeway (about 10 minutes). From the fully glazed cabin, enjoy a 360‑degree view of the beautiful Kobe cityscape.

Ropeway fares: Option 1 round‑trip ropeway: Adults 2,000 yen/person, Children (6‑14 years old) 1,000 yen, Pre‑school children free

Option 2 one‑way ropeway fare (outbound): Adults 1,400 yen/person, Children (6‑14 years old) 700 yen, Pre‑school children free

Highlights of Nunobiki Herb Gardens:

Summit Station Observation Area

From the observation deck, enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Kobe from an altitude of about 400 metres.

Fragrance Museum

Here you can see antique perfume bottles and tools used to extract scents. A special highlight is the "Supreme Fragrance Quest", where you can compare the scents of around 80 types of natural essential oils. Even those who feel lost when it comes to perfume may find a scent they love here.

Lavender Garden (approx. late May to early July)

Four Seasons Garden ‑ Garden of Welcome (Roses: mid‑May to late June) Hydrangeas (mid‑June to late July)

Four Seasons Garden ‑ Garden of Rest (Simply sitting on the garden steps can make you the star of the world ‑ a dreamy entrance~)

Glasshouse ‑ Tropical rainforest dome, dried flower art decorations, full of Instagram‑worthy vibes~

Herbal Foot Bath ‑ "Herbal foot bath" with seasonal herbs. You can also gaze out at Kobe's stunning scenery while relaxing both body and mind. (Towel: 100 yen)

Wind Hill Garden ‑ Super popular photo spot in autumn ‑ cosmos flower sea

September 1 ‑ September 4: Ropeway under maintenance, garden closed. The herb garden is open all year round except during ropeway maintenance periods. If unable to visit due to strong winds or bad weather, the destination will be changed to: Kobe Ijinkan (Foreigner's) House Street

The following itinerary is a choice of two options; you can freely choose which one to visit on the day~

▼ATOA Art Aquarium (about 90 minutes, aquarium admission fees at your own expense) (not visiting Meriken Park / Kobe Port)

ATOA Aquarium is located in the waterfront area of Kobe City. It is a theatre‑style aquarium that combines themes such as aquarium, digital art, and stage design. The aquarium features 8 different zones in total, including areas full of fantasy and originality, such as caves and an Elf Forest. Among these zones, there is the "MIYABI" area ‑ a Japanese‑style world that makes visitors feel as if they are walking through a Japanese garden amidst the ever‑changing beauty of Japan's four seasons ‑ and the "PLANETS" area, centred around Japan's largest spherical tank, surrounded by curtains of light and music. Both zones allow visitors to feel as if they have stepped into the scenes of a movie or stage play, fully indulging in an immersive, surreal experience.

In addition, the aquarium also has an atoa café, where visitors can enjoy delicious desserts and drinks while admiring the view of Kobe Port. The aquarium's attached shop also offers various exclusive merchandise and Kobe‑style souvenirs.

Eight Highlights Inside the Aquarium:

Swim through the underwater world with rainbow fish in "CAVE / The First Grotto"

Floating as if adrift in the ocean ‑ "MARINE NOTE / Rhythm of Life"

Pass through the underwater world into a forest canopy space ‑ "ELEMENTS / Elf Forest"

Home to adorable animals and breathtaking scenery ‑ "SKYSHORE / Garden by the Sky"

Japan's largest spherical tank "AQUA TERRA" captivates with its play of light and shadow

Experience the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi‑sabi" in a Japanese‑style space showcasing the four seasons

Interactive art installations that spark curiosity ‑ "FOYER / Room of Discovery"

AQUARIUM×ART átoa ‑ a wealth of activities for close encounters with the animals

Also, during the period from 29 August 2025 to 3 November 2025, the aquarium will feature Japan's largest spherical tank art installation exhibition created by EiM, led by Mika Ninagawa and Yasuaki Miyata.

The installation artwork created by "EiM", a creative team comprising experts from various fields such as artist Mika Ninagawa and Yasuaki Miyata (producer of the Osaka‑Kansai Expo theme projects), will be exhibited at átoa.

The exhibition will be held on the 3rd floor "PLANETS" area within átoa. At the heart of this space is Japan's largest spherical tank "AQUA TERRA", where Mika Ninagawa, together with EiM, will create an entirely new space of artistic expression.

During 2025/8/29 – 11/3, a special rate applies: 2,800 yen/person (adults 19 and above), 2,400 yen/person (ages 13‑18, junior high and high school students), 1,600 yen/person (elementary school students aged 6‑12), free for children aged 3‑6 (each adult may bring one child only; an additional child costs 600 yen)

At all other times, the standard rate applies: 2,600 yen/person (ages 13 and above), 1,500 yen/person (elementary school students aged 6‑12), free for children aged 3‑6 (each adult may bring one child only; an additional child costs 500 yen). Children under 3 are free.

▼Meriken Park & BE KOBE Cultural Landmark Photo Stop / Kobe Port Mosaic Ferris Wheel (about 80 minutes, free time to explore) (not visiting ATOA Art Aquarium)

Meriken Park is a park located at Kobe Port in Chuo‑ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The park was built in 1987 on reclaimed land between Meriken Pier and Kobe Port Tower. The Kobe Maritime Museum and other Kobe landmarks are also located here. On the north side is a famous sculpture named "Fish Dance", and on the central lawn stands the clock tower "Hydrangea Bell", built to commemorate the first Kobe Fashion Festival in 1990. Part of the eastern side of the park preserves the area as it was after the Great Hanshin‑Awaji Earthquake.

Kobe Port is one of Japan's most important industrial and commercial ports. Since the Meiji era, it has been an area where foreigners resided, full of exotic charm. The port area is renowned for its modern architectural design and lighting effects. Among these, Kobe Port Tower, the Maritime Museum, and the Mosaic Ferris Wheel are iconic landmarks of Kobe Port.

You can stroll along Kobe Port, feeling the sea breeze, and walk over to the Kobe Port Mosaic Ferris Wheel (walking time approx. 11 minutes)

Mosaic Ferris Wheel: Ticket price: 800 yen/person, free for children aged 0‑2 (fees at your own expense)

(A single ride takes approximately 15 minutes. Depending on the queue that day, the whole experience may take about 30 minutes or more. The cabins are air‑conditioned in summer, so no need to worry about the heat~)

▼Japan's Three Great Night Views‑ Mount Maya Night View (about 80 minutes)

A dreamlike experience of Kobe's skyline ‑ the magnificent million‑dollar night view from Kikuseidai Observatory on Mount Maya

Mount Maya is a 702‑metre‑high peak within the Rokkō mountain range.

From the summit, you can see as far as Awaji Island, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Shodoshima. The night view from the observation plaza "Kikuseidai" is especially spectacular, and is one of Japan's renowned Three Great Night Views.

If access to the Mount Maya Observatory is not possible due to winter road closures or route issues, the destination will be changed to:

▼Mount Rokkō Night View (about 80 minutes)

Mount Rokkō is located near Kobe, and its mountainous area is designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. It is an excellent spot to enjoy Kobe's night view and is also often referred to as one of Japan's Three Great Night Views.

Rokkō Cable Car (As the mountain roads are steep and winding, taking the bus up the mountain may cause motion sickness. Please experience the unique Rokkō Cable Car; fees are at your own expense)

Opening hours: 07:10‑21:10 Regular closing day: None

Reference fares: Round trip ‑ Adults 1,550 yen, Children 780 yen

Rokkō Tenrandai Observatory (As "Kobe Rokkō MEETS ART 2025 beyond" will be held from 2025.8.23 to 11.30, entry to Tenrandai will be charged at 500 yen/person during this period. Fees are at your own expense)

Tenrandai was named by Emperor Shōwa in 1981 (Shōwa 56). It is located next to the Rokkō Cable Car upper station and is one of the top three recommended night view spots on Mount Rokkō. (Open all year round, admission free, but a charge applies during the arts festival period.) Kobe's night view was rated as a "million‑dollar night view" in 1953 (Shōwa 28). This name originated because the electricity cost for the night view seen from Mount Rokkō at that time exceeded one million US dollars per month (at an exchange rate of 360 yen to the dollar). In 2005 (Heisei 17), based on the daily electricity cost of the night view (at 110 yen to the dollar), the total exceeded ten million US dollars, earning the Kobe night view the even more prestigious title of the "US$10 million night view". The view clearly extends from the Wakayama area to the Akashi Strait!

Kobe Rokkō MEETS ART 2025 beyond ‑ Encounter Rich Nature and Art

"Kobe Rokkō MEETS ART" uses the tourist facilities on Mount Rokkō as its main venues. It is an event where artworks are enjoyed in an outdoor setting. Since its first edition in 2010, a total of more than 520 artists have participated. The theme of this 16th edition is "Perspectives and Thoughts on the Environment", aiming to encourage people to pay attention to and reflect on environmental issues from broader and more diverse perspectives, through enjoying the natural beauty of Mount Rokkō ‑ a symbol of Kobe ‑ and the artworks on display.

The tour concludes and returns to Osaka city centre. The return time is for reference only; the return may be earlier if the itinerary goes smoothly or owing to favourable traffic conditions. The tour ends with drop‑off near Nipponbashi Exit 2.

Shinsaibashi:

Osaka's most famous shopping street, home to large department stores, chain drugstores, long‑established brands, and small shops. Goods of all grades and styles are available. Hello Kitty and Disney speciality stores are also located here. This area is also a gathering place for drugstores popular with ladies, where you can browse cosmetics and skincare products to your heart's content. Most shops have Chinese‑speaking staff and accept UnionPay cards, making shopping a breeze.

Dōtonbori:

Synonymous with Osaka's food culture. Whether day or night, this street never rests. As the birthplace of the Osaka "kuidaore" (eat till you drop) food culture, Dōtonbori offers numerous food stalls and snacks such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and Kinryu Ramen, as well as traditional Japanese izakaya pubs and various trendy restaurants, such as Kani Dōraku, which is hugely popular among Chinese visitors.