Mount Rokkō

A wonderful, less traveled series of hikes and shops at the top of a mountain in Kobe! Went on a weekday in April and it was empty. All shops open, but no tourists or locals. Wonderful, and easy to get around by bus once up there.

A less commercial sightseeing experience compared to Mount Fuji or Hakone. Very chilly and windy but an enjoyable experience. Cable car was unfortunately under renovation when we visited so there was a shuttle bus service (1100yen round trip) instead that goes up to the observatory. You need to take another bus (380yen one way) up to the ropeway station. The ropeway was 1850yen for a round trip. It was crowded when taking the ropeway to the top but very quiet when going back down.

We only went to rokko sanjo station and stopped at the tenren observatory. It was a chilly day and very windy so we decided not to keep going. You have to pay a few transfers to get up to the first observation point. We took a bus to rokkomichi, and then paid for the cable car. If u wanted to keep going, u would have to pay for another cable car or bus. The cost adds up. While the view was nice (and likely nicer at night or sunset), there was nothing immediately to do outside of rokko sanjo. The one cafe was closed that day… there were no touristy shops or trinket shops or eateries nearby (might be a good thing depending on who you talk to)… and i found interesting that the area around the observatory was unkempt - weeds and dead leaves growing. I just find that unusual given that other touristy spots are very well maintained and greenery is always consistently manicured. We went on a weekday and perhaps it is busier and livelier on weekends. Admittedly we did not venture further up where there seems to be more touristy things (a tourist info center, a garden, possibly hiking opps), but we werent sure whether it would be worth paying more to risk things being closed since we were there mid afternoon and the weather was not super permitting.

Best sightseeing. Enjoy the beautiful view during sunrise or sunset. I visited here during winter. January 2024. Windy and cold

Do check the weather forecast unlike me. Took the tram up because it was foggy and drizzling. Then decided to take the bus to R07 Garden Terrace. Proceeded to hike up via road to this summit. 40minutes one way. There are also trails leading to the summit, but they start and end on the paved road.

It would've been nice if the ropeway and cable car wasn't too crowded. We can't take good pictures and we can't even see what the tourguide is talking about. It would also be nice if there'll be like a map of the whole mt. Rokko trip and the things we can do and the ticket prices if there is. Especially if there's a food court or a place where we can eat our bento. But overall. The view was nice.

Starting from one side of the mountain and hiking towards Arima Onsen is you best bet. Try not to do it the opposite and follow through with the hike to a train station. Don't use a bus, they are a pain in the nuts to ride lol. Buses are expensive and you can get motion sickness from them turning left and right every minute. Kids were barfing in bags on the way back. lol! I recommend hiking in the fall, the foliage is beautiful and you might run into a boar or two, plus the insects aren't so bad.

Good place to have a great view of city. Also it’s fun to ride a cable car. We didn’t spend that much time here but it would be too bad to miss this nice view from the top of the mountain.