The Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway is a sightseeing cable car system connecting the Shin-Kobe area in Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, with Mount Yotsugi. It is widely used by visitors traveling to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and provides the main means of access to this hillside attraction. Since opening, the ropeway has been enjoyed by both local residents and tourists for its comfortable ride and beautiful views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Herb Garden Bottom Station is the starting point of the ropeway. It is within walking distance of Shin-Kobe Station, making it convenient to reach by train. Even before boarding, visitors can enjoy views over Kobe’s urban landscape as they prepare for their journey into the hills.
Kaze no Oka Intermediate Station is located partway along the route and offers another opportunity to appreciate the scenery. Depending on the available service and access arrangements, it can be a convenient stopping point for enjoying the views and taking photographs.
Herb Garden Summit Station is the upper terminus and the gateway to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Beyond the station, visitors can explore expansive gardens filled with herbs, flowers, and other plants that change with the seasons. After enjoying a walk through the gardens, the return journey by ropeway offers another chance to take in the scenery from above.
The ropeway opened on October 23, 1991, under the name Shin-Kobe Ropeway. It was initially operated by the Kobe City Urban Development Corporation, now known as the Kobe Housing and Urban Development Corporation.
In April 2009, Kobe City acquired the ropeway’s equipment and facilities and undertook redevelopment through a private finance initiative (PFI) project. The service reopened after renovation on April 1, 2011, under its current name, Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway. The renovation also brought changes to station names and fares, with the aim of creating a more comfortable and accessible visitor experience.
Since April 1, 2010, the ropeway has been operated by Kobe Resort Service. The operator took over the business from the Kobe division associated with Kiyosato Highland Park, part of the NC Resort Management Group.
The ropeway’s first departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. throughout the year from both Herb Garden Bottom Station and Herb Garden Summit Station.
Last departure times vary by season and day of the week. Under the schedule described in the source, the last departure from Herb Garden Bottom Station is at 4:45 p.m., with the final departure from Herb Garden Summit Station at 5:15 p.m., on weekdays in spring and autumn and throughout winter.
On weekends and public holidays in spring and autumn, and throughout summer, the last departure from Herb Garden Bottom Station is at 8:15 p.m., while the last departure from Herb Garden Summit Station is at 9:00 p.m. These later services make evening visits possible during the applicable periods. Visitors should check the latest timetable before traveling, as operating hours may change.
Spring: March 20–July 19
Summer: July 20–August 31
Autumn: September 1–November 30
Winter: December 1–March 19
The Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway has a sloping route length of 1,460 meters and an elevation difference of 330 meters. It uses a single-cable, continuously circulating system operating clockwise and is supported by 12 towers. Its maximum operating speed is 4 meters per second, and the maximum gradient is approximately 28 degrees and 86 minutes, as stated in the source.
The ropeway’s gondolas were replaced in 2011 with new cars manufactured by CWA. Before the upgrade, the system used gondolas made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Each current gondola has a maximum capacity of six passengers, and the journey takes approximately 10 minutes.
The ropeway has three stations along its route: Herb Garden Bottom Station, Kaze no Oka Intermediate Station, and Herb Garden Summit Station.
Herb Garden Bottom Station: 34°42′15.8″ N, 135°11′37.6″ E
Kaze no Oka Intermediate Station: 34°42′44.6″ N, 135°11′29.7″ E
Herb Garden Summit Station: 34°43′01.3″ N, 135°11′27.3″ E
Herb Garden Bottom Station is conveniently connected to the Shin-Kobe transport hub. Shin-Kobe Station serves the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kobe Municipal Subway, including the Seishin-Yamate Line and Hokushin Line. This makes the ropeway easy to reach from central Kobe and from other parts of Japan.
The Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway is both a practical way to reach the Nunobiki Herb Gardens and an attraction in its own right. Its aerial views reveal a different side of Kobe, where the cityscape meets the green slopes of the mountains. Whether visiting for the seasonal flowers, a relaxing garden walk, or the panoramic scenery, a ride on the ropeway adds a memorable experience to a trip to Kobe.