As part of our list of resources for visitors to Kobe, here is a list of parks and gardens in Kobe, Japan.
Higashi Yuenchi
Higashi Yuenchi is a 2.7-hectare urban park located in the center of Kobe. Its history began in 1868 as Japan’s first Western-style park, which was used by foreigners living in the Kobe Foreign Settlement. Foreigners enjoyed various sports such as soccer, baseball, and rugby (it is currently not a park where sports are played), which made the park the starting point for introducing Western sports to Japan. After the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995, it became the site for memorial events and is a part of citizens’ lifestyle.
— Address: 6 Chome-4 Kanocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0001
— Nearest station: Sannomiya Station
— Website: https://eastpark.jp/
Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park
Maiko Beach has long been featured in poetry and loved by travelers journeying by land and sea. The Meiji emperor also visited the area seven times. Maiko Park was opened in 1900 (Meiji 33) as the first Hyogo Prefectural Urban Park in this scenic location. With urban modernization, the area transformed into the gateway to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the world’s largest suspension bridges.
— Address: 2051 Higashimaikocho, Tarumi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 655-0047, Japan
— Nearest station: Maiko Station/ Maikokoen Station
— Website: https://hyogo-maikopark.jp/
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
The Nunobiki Herb Gardens are a short walk from Shin-Kobe Station. There are 12 themed gardens featuring different flowers and plants that change with the seasons. If you don’t take the ropeway, you can see four waterfalls along the way to the Herb Gardens. To use the ropeway (which is like a gondola), you have to buy a ticket. On weekends and holidays, there can be long lines to board the ropeway.
— Address: 1-chōme-4-3 Kitanochō, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo 650-0002
— Nearest station: Shin-Kobe Station
— Website: https://www.kobeherb.com/
Kobe Sports Park
Kobe Sports Park is a comprehensive recreational facility that hosts a variety of professional and amateur competitions from both Japan and abroad. The park is famous for its flower spot, “Cosmos Hill,” where 50,000 rapeseed flowers bloom in spring and 100,000 cosmos flowers in autumn, allowing visitors to enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the year.
— Address: Midoridai, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0163
— Nearest station: Sogoundo-Koen Station
— Website: https://www.kobe-park.or.jp/sougou/
Meriken park
Meriken Park is the location of the famous “BE KOBE” monument. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the port at night.
— Address: 2 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0042
— Nearest station: Minatomotomach Station
Sorakuen Garden
Sorakuen is the only Japanese traditional style garden among Kobe’s urban parks. The garden is on land, 20,000 square meters. Visitors can cross stone bridges while enjoying scenic features such as streams, waterfalls, and stone arrangements. The park also features a large camphor tree said to be about 500 years old, and azalea blossoms that bloom around late April.
— Address: 5 Chome-3-1 Nakayamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0004
— Nearest station: Kencho-Mae Station/ Motomachi Station/ Hanakuma Station
— Website: https://sorakuen.com/
Sumaura Park
The location of Sumamura park is a scenic area consisting of two mountains. It is known as a famous Genpei battlefield (one of the biggest Japan historical wars) and is now famous as a popular cherry blossom viewing spot. Within the park, there are tourist attractions such as the Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park. It is also part of the Rokko mountain traverse route and is frequently used as a hiking course.
— Address: 4 Chome-4-3 Ichinotanicho, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0076, Japan
— Nearest station: Sumaurakoen Station
— Website: https://www.kobe-park.or.jp/park/sumaura/
Suma Rikyu Park
Suma Rikyu Park was originally built in 1914 as “Muko Rikyu,” a villa for the Imperial family. It was mainly used as a place for the Emperor to stay when visiting the area. Today, the park is open to everyone, and visitors can enjoy different types of flowers in every season.
— Address: 1-1 Higashisuma, Suma Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 654-0018
— Nearest station: Tsukimiyama Station/ Sumadera Station / Higashi-Suma Station
— Website: https://www.kobe-park.or.jp/rikyu/
Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden
Rokko Alpine botanical garden cultivates around 1,500 species of alpine and cold-climate plants in a natural setting. Visitors can enjoy seasonal highlights such as spring flowers, summer greenery, and brilliant autumn foliage, along with a plant-themed shop and a cozy café.
— Address: 4512-150 Kitarokko, Rokkosancho, Nada Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-0101
— Nearest station: Take a bus from Rokko Sanjo Station
— Website: https://www.rokkosan.com/hana/
Rokko Garden Terrace
Rokko Garden Terrace is one of Japan’s top scenic viewpoints, offering panoramic views from the Akashi Strait to Kansai International Airport. Within the terrace, several lookout spots provide different perspectives and atmospheres depending on the angle and time of day.
— Address: 1877-9 Rokkosancho, Nada Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo 657-0101
— Nearest station: Take a bus from Rokko Sanjo Station
— Website: https://www.rokkosan.com/gt/
See Also
— Population of Kobe
— Neighborhoods in Kobe, Japan
— Shopping places in Kobe, Japan
— Department stores in Kobe, Japan
— Major train stations in Kobe, Japan
— Kobe Airport in Kobe city, Japan
— Train Lines, Shinkansen and Subway in Kobe, Japan
— Temples and Shrines in Kobe, Japan
— Onsen and hot springs in Kobe, Japan
— Popular museums in Kobe, Japan
— Japanese language schools in Kobe, Japan
— Colleges and Universities in Kobe, Japan
— International schools in Kobe
— English speaking immigration lawyers in Kobe
— Co-working spaces in Kobe
— Tax specialists that speak English in Kobe
See also:
— The best parks in Osaka City, Japan
— The best parks and gardens in Nagoya City, Japan
— The best parks in Sapporo City, Japan