Spots in Mt. Rokko / Arima Area

  • Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlet
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    4.0
    573 Reviews
    Shopping
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Koududai 7-3
    Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlet is representative of an outlet mall in Kobe and is located inside the precinct of Kobe Research Park Kozudai in Kita Ward, Kobe. This outlet’s modern and open design is modeled on Pasadena, an exclusive residential area in the outskirts of Los Angeles city. The outlet mall boasts of being the second largest in Japan, and many shoppers visit the restaurants and the roughly 210 high class brand shops from Japan and around the world which are lined up within the mall. Also there are a lot of nature and sightseeing spots located in the outskirts such as Arima Hot Springs and Kobe Fruit & Flower Park, and you can enjoy it together with shopping.

    I made two visits in July 2022 to the Sanda Premium Outlet. Once by bus from Sannomiya Station with my daughter, around mid July (return ticket 1360 Yen pp, duration 55 minutes, picturesque route...

  • Kobe Oji Zoo
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    4.0
    644 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Oujichou 3-1
    This is a zoo in Oji Park and is located about three minutes on foot from Oji-koen Station on the Hankyu Line. In addition to the zoo being in the park, there are also such facilities as Zoological Science Museum, an amusement park, restaurants, shops, and Kobe’s Ijinkan, Former Hunter’s residence, so you can spend a full day enjoying it all. One of the highlights is looking at the animals being fed or trained such as being able to see the panda in accordance with the time schedule. Also, during petting time you can have a cute rabbit or a guinea pig on your lap, and you can take a picture with them.

    I loved visiting Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. The colors and smells were amazing, and the plants and flowers were beautiful. It was peaceful and calm there.

  • Arima Hot Spring Taiko no Yu
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    3.5
    226 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Arimachou Pond bottom 292-2
    A day trip hot spring bath facility located in Kobe’s Kita Ward in the Arima Hot Spring area, famous as being a favorite relaxation destination for the Imperial Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The spacious facility offers 26 different types of baths using waters from the “Gold Spring” and “Silver Spring” hot spring sources as well as a manmade carbonated spring. There is also a stone sauna, restaurant, and rest area in this fully outfitted hot spring resort. The facility’s various areas created with connections to Toyotomi Hideyoshi are also a worth seeing, such as the “Golden Steam Bath,” modeled after Hideyoshi’s golden tea room; the “Stone Bath of the Regent,” and the “Supreme Ruler Bath.” Visitors can also walk the “Kanbee Kodo” in the front garden and learn about the history of the area during their stroll.

    This is our first time experiencing an onsen in Japan. Initially we thought it’s a traditional and natural hot spring but were surprised that it’s actually a modern complex with man made outdoor dip...

  • Rokko Garden Terrace
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    4.0
    206 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Rokkousanchou Gokaiyama 1877-9
    A multipurpose facility located on Mt. Rokko, a tourist destination popular for its view of the nearby cityscape at night situated in Kobe’s Nada Ward. The facility hosts a café, restaurants, and shops centering around a grand viewing terrace. The area around the viewing tower is filled with quaint European-style buildings, creating a fairy tale-like atmosphere. Sights such as the streets of Kobe and the Akashi Strait can be viewed from various areas throughout the facility and visitors can enjoy different aspects of the area depending on the location, time of day, and season. The mesh domed Rokko-Shidare Observatory viewing area is lit up at night and is a must-see.

    The shopping area is made up of a group of outbuildings bunched together. Be aware that captured audience pricing is prevalent. Souvenir shops, a quasi-grocery store called Horti, a...

  • Arima Hot Spring Kin no Yu
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    4.0
    214 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Arimachou 833
    A municipal day trip bathing facility located in the Arima Hot Spring area, a famous hot spring site favored by the Imperial Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This renowned public bathhouse, long operated here, was remodeled and reopened in 2002. The facility’s reddish brown waters come from the “Gold Spring” source. The bathhouse has men’s and women’s indoor baths as well as a rest lobby. The outdoor footbath and spring water station are free to use, and many like to stop here for a quick break during a walk. The closest station is Arima Onsen Station.

    I think it’s a good starting point for first timers. It was my first time and I usually leave my backpack in a coin locker at the station but things were a bit hectic for me in the morning so I ended...

  • Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum
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    4.0
    97 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Uozakinishimachi 1-9-1
    "You can reach this museum by getting off at the JR Rokko Liner's Minami-Uozaki Station, taking the elevator to the first floor, and walking two minutes northwest. The museum displays an array of small sake related items, as well as the ""Nada-based Sake Brewery's Equipment,"" a nationally designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property. The original building collapsed in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and the current structure incorporates some of its beams and pillars. Interacting with the equipment will give you a feel for the traditional Kimoto method for brewing sake, as well as the work and life of the brewers. They have tastings that include raw, unprocessed sake as well. Their original Sakagura Soft Serve Ice Cream is a hit."

    We just spent a wonderful morning at the brewery. An informative video, small exhibition and tasting. Rather than walking to another brewery, we decided to take the tour of factory where they make...

  • Mentai Park Kobe Sanda
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    3.5
    99 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Akamatsudai 1-7-1
    A mentaiko pollock roe company's very own theme park located right next to the Kobe-Sanda interchange. Operated by Kanefuku, a long standing mentaiko company, visitors can watch mentaiko actually being made in a factory on the grounds. In addition, there's a company shop filled with fresh products made that day in the factory. There's a free sample corner as well as a food corner serving things like mentaiko onigiri rice balls and mentaiko soft serve ice cream. In the adjoining park, visitors can play games and learn all about mentaiko.

    かねふくの明太子工場にあるテーマパークです。工場見学と明太子の成り立ちがわかる様になっています。おすすめは、明太子のバケットです。少し割高ですが、持帰っても良いです。フードコートでは、パスタとどんぶりが頂けます。ビールにはソーセージが付いてきます。

  • Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden
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    4.0
    72 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Rokkousanchou Kitarokkou 4512-150
    This is an historic botanical garden which opened in 1933 near the top of Mt. Rokko in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Approximately 1,500 species of alpine plants and plants from cold climates from around the world are planted in the garden of about 50,000 square meters making use of the climate which is similar to the southern part of Hokkaido. Highlights include various rock gardens, flower gardens and wetlands where alpine plants can be viewed in an environment close to an alpine setting. In addition to enjoying seasonal flowers and the colors of the autumn leaves, visitors can enjoy coffee, sweets, light refreshments and other items at a mountain-lodge-style café where sunbeam shines through branches of trees.

    六甲山にある高山植物園。その名の通り、多くの高山植物の宝庫だが、秋には紅葉の名所になる。紅葉には少し早かったが、それでも気持ちのいい秋の一日を過ごせた。

  • Arima Hot Spring Gin no Yu
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    3.5
    73 Reviews
    Accommodations / Hot Spring
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Arimachou 1039-1
    This is a city-managed day trip bathing facility in the Arima Onsen area, famous as a place loved by chancellor Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is located in a quiet spot a little removed from the town and surrounded by many temples and shrines. The building is rich with Japanese-style onsen atmosphere, and inside one can enjoy Arima’s famous carbonated radium hot spring Ginsen. The nearest station is Arima Onsen Station. At the Tansan Sengen Koen park just a five-minute walk away, there is a place where one can drink carbonated spring water.

    There was just one pool, a sauna and a pressure shower. The pool had silver coloured water. It was quite nice and the water was bubbling up at one end of the pool. There were far fewer people in this...

  • Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Brewery
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    4.0
    52 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Mikagetsukamachi 1-8-17
    "You can reach this brewery in Koby City, Hyogo Prefecture, by taking the Hanshin Electric Railway to Ishiyagawa Station and walking about eight minutes south. They sell their Fukuju brand of Japanese sake with its fruity bouquet, manufactured under the creed of clarity, honesty, and purity. They also offer sake-based brews like plum wine and yuzu citron wine. Their famous Fukuju Junmai Ginjo sake has been served at the banquet for the Nobel Prize award ceremony, earning it the nickname ""Sake of the Nobel Prize."" Warehouse tours come in multiple languages and programs, and include video, warehouse inspections, sake tasting, and more. Their on-site hall and restaurant are available for weddings and concerts."

    Self-tour is possible, just need to get the Hanshin Tourist Pass (500yen) for unlimited Hanshin train ride and you will be able to explore all sake breweries around the area. Cheap and convenient...

  • Rokko-Arima Ropeway
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    4.0
    80 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Rokkousanchou Kitarokkou 4512-336
    This ropeway in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture whisks you between Arima Onsen Station and Rokko Sancho Station in about 12 minutes. In the spring, scenery of fresh green and flowering trees and bushes like mountain cherries, magnolias, and azaleas spreads below you, and in summer you can enjoy the trilling of insects and the night view. The colored leaves across the mountainside are gorgeous in autumn, and in wintertime you can take in the glistening snowscape. There are a variety of tourist facilities right near Rokko Sancho Station, including Rokko Garden Terrace, Field Athletics, and Country House.

    A lovely break from the busy city below. The staff were very friendly, the facilities were clean, the exhibitions were quite interesting and the coffee and cake rather nice.

  • Kobe Municipal Arboretum
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    4.0
    63 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Yamadachoushimotanigami 1-2
    This arboretum sits on an extensive area which covers 142.6 hectares in total, and is located on Mt. Rokko in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. They raise and exhibit various plants at the arboretum, focusing on a total of roughly 1,200 species of Japanese and foreign woody plant, and the areas are divided up based on their place of origin such as Asia, Europe and North America. It is famous for its seasonal flowers such as it having 25 varieties and 350 species including 50,000 hydrangea plants, roughly 4,000 rhododendron, azalea and cherry trees. You can also enjoy the leaves changing colors in autumn with such as Hananoki (Japanese Red Maple) and Iroha Momiji (Japanese Maple). There is a free shuttle bus from Kita Suzurandai Station.

    It is nice to take a stroll in the autumn for a few hours just to see the foliage which was turning in to various shades of red, orange, yellow and green. We went in November and the driving is...

  • Yuzuruha Shrine
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    4.0
    63 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Mikagegunge 2-9-27
    Located about a five-minute walk southeast from the Hankyu Kobe Line's Mikage Station, many visitors come to this Shinto shrine with its symbol of a mythical raven to pray for victory. The shrine has deep ties to Japanese soccer, as Japan's first soccer team hails from Mikage. The shrine shares its raven symbol with the Japan Football Association, and there's even a granite soccer ball statue installed beside the main hall. The figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu has come here to pray before competitions, so it's become a sort of sacred spot for his fans and those who want to cheer him on.

    Yuzuruha Shrine is located near Hankyu Mikage station. It is an old shrine, which foundation remount to Heian Period. But recently it attracts the attention of the people, because its name recalls a...

  • Sawanotsuru Sake Museum
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Oishiminamimachi 1-29-1
    The Sawanotsuru Sake Museum is 10 minutes on foot from Hanshin Oishi Station in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Housed in the Oishi Kura that was built over 170 years ago in the late Edo period, the museum educates the public about sake brewing culture and features exhibits on traditional Nada Sake brewing. These include valuable sake making equipment like large sake barrels from Sawanotsuru's 300-plus-year history, as well as models of Japanese ships such as Kitamae / Sengoku-bune that were used for sake transport. There is also a museum shop where visitors can enjoy free tastings of unprocessed sake.

    Two floors of exhibits inside a real sake brewery building thats declared a cultural treasure by the government. Theres a small garden with a well and the exterior is a nice photographic subject...

  • Mt. Rokko
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Nada-ku Rokkousanchou Ichigatani 1-32
    Mr. Rokko has a variety of leisure facilities including a golf course, snow park, botanical garden and outdoor obstacle course. The mountain-top’s Rokko Garden Terrace has a fashionable café restaurant and shops selling miscellaneous goods and souvenirs, and there is also the Rokko-Shidare Observatory that looks almost like a single bush. Mt. Rokko is also a famous place to enjoy the night scenery, and looking down from the observatory close to Rokko Sanjo Station is a continuous night view that looks across Kobe’s townscape all the way to Osaka Bay, which has been chosen as a Japanese Night View Heritage spot.
  • HAKUTSURU Sake Brewery Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Sumiyoshiminamimachi 4-5-5
    This sake brewery museum is located in Kobe City. The Hakutsuru Sake Brewery which was built in the Taisho period is being used in its original form. Exhibitions on display in the museum include materials related to the brewing of “sake” (Japanese rice wine), tools actually used in the process of sake brewing and an exhibition of dummies that recreate the details of making sake in accordance with old-fashioned manufacturing processes. The process of making refined sake is introduced in a way which is easy to understand from washing the rice, introduction of “koji” (malted rice) to the filling of casks. There is also a free sake tasting corner and a shop.

    スタッフの男性の対応が高圧的であまり印象が良くありませんでした。試飲も出来たり館内の雰囲気は良かったです。

  • Kobe Fashion Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    37 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Higashinada-ku Kouyouchounaka 2-9-1
    The first national art museum focused on fashion, Kobe Fashion Museum is located on Rokko Island, a seaborne city in Higashinada Ward in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. It boasts a unique design that resembles a UFO. Exhibits are on the first floor and include the basic exhibits, which feature a rich collection of items, and special exhibits hosted in other buildings. There is also a library featuring 40,000 books and magazines about fashion from both Japan and around the world, as well as a museum shop with artist contributions, an event hall, and other facilities.

    In one section a person can try on costumes and have a photo taken, and with video see themselves in additional costumes. Actual clothing display is in one large room, perhaps forty examples mostly...

  • Roadside Station Ogo
    rating-image
    3.5
    13 Reviews
    Transportation
    Hyougo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Ougochou Ougo Hirohogaki 643-1
    This roadside station, Kobe City's first, is situated along Prefectural Route 38 a 10-minute drive from the Miki-higashi interchange on the San'yo Expressway and sees 210 thousand visitors annually. The station sells fresh local foods and ingredients as well as Lillium formolongi lilies, tulips, and other flowers. The adjoining soba noodle restaurant serves a wide selection of dishes featuring juwari soba noodles made with 100% buckwheat flour that was grown and ground locally. The restaurant also offers sides made with seasonal ingredients like soba cake and takenoko bamboo shoots. The station is open year-round except for the New Year's holidays; the soba noodle restaurant is also closed on every Wednesday.

    道の駅 淡河で、ソバをいただきました。セルフサービスで、お値段はお手頃です。天ぷらソバ定食は、ざるそばに天ぷらとおからと炊き込みご飯です。ボリュームたっぷり。お味は、そこそこでした。

  • Sakura-Masamune Memorial Museum Sakuraen
    rating-image
    3.5
    35 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Hyogo Kobe-shi Higashinada-ku Uozakiminamimachi 4-3-18
    A five-minute walk from Uozaki Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway. This museum displays sake brewing equipment, old fashioned signboards, sake bottles, labels, and other items which speak of the history of Sakura Masamune, a sake brewing company founded 300 years ago and whose origins date back 400 years. The museum also shows rare footage of how sake was once made in Japan. The museum is adjoined by a Japanese restaurant, exhibition gallery, and cafe. The Sakura shop sells fresh made sake brewed in a separate building by volume and also carries local specialty and famous products which make perfect gifts and souvenirs.

    Good place for sake tasting, before purchase. The exhibition is also very interesting if you have not visit one before.

  • Roadside Station Kobe Fruit & Flower Park Ozo
    Transportation
    Hyogo Pref. Koubeshi Kita-ku Ozouchou Kamiozou 2150
    At this roadside station in North Kobe you'll find a spacious middle-ages European style building surrounded by nature along with a flower theme park where you can enjoy the beauty of flowers throughout the different seasons and a shop selling local goods. From Summer to Autumn you can pick fruit from the large orchard and with a play area for children as well as a restaurant, BBQ area, and hot-spring bath house there are options for the whole family to enjoy.

Hyogo Areas

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Hyogo prefecture stretches from the north coast to the south coast on the western end of the popular Kansai region, encompassing verdant mountains, urban beaches, and fantastic historical sights. The prefecture’s main attractions lie along the south coast at Kobe, the prefectural capital, a pretty harbor city best known for its production of the renowned Kobe beef, and Himeji, the home of Himeji Castle, one of the country’s most beautifully preserved feudal castles, perched magically atop a hill.

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