Kobe Resort Service Co., Ltd. announced on October 17 that it will expand the autumn leaves light-up at "Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens / Ropeway." Timed with "Kobe Christmas Market 2026 - Christmas in the Old Castle -," visitors can enjoy the colored trees and Christmas illuminations in the same garden.
The "Corridor of Light" extends to about 220 m, with added lighting and background music
The "Corridor of Light" is the garden path that runs from below the Herb Museum, through the three-way junction, to the Glass House (greenhouse). From about 150 m in 2025, the area is expanded to about 220 m this year. More lights illuminating the autumn leaves are being added, along with background music.
Lighting begins at 15:00. Besides the Corridor of Light, the Fragrant Garden in the viewing area and the Emerald Lounge at "The Veranda Kobe" are also autumn leaves light-up spots. The days on which the garden stays open into the night vary by period and day of the week.
Autumn leaves peak from early November to early December
The garden is planted with about 500 maple trees and about 100 mountain cherry trees, along with dawn redwoods and ginkgo trees, among others. From the viewing plaza at an elevation of about 400 m and various spots in the gardens, you can look out over the Kobe cityscape through the autumn leaves.
The garden says the autumn leaves usually peak from early November to early December. The light-up runs until December 28, but the entire run does not necessarily coincide with the peak of the autumn leaves.
A Christmas tree decorating a dawn redwood about 25 m tall
The "Forest Christmas Tree" uses a dawn redwood about 25 m tall. Together with the illuminations at the Glass House, it makes up the Christmas scenery of the garden. The viewing area has a plaza themed on a German old castle, where a Christmas market will also be held.
*The photos are provided images. The time they were taken has not been confirmed. The coloring of the autumn leaves varies with the weather.
Autumn leaves light-up: dates, hours and admission
- Name: Autumn Leaves Light-up
- Period: Saturday, November 7 to Monday, December 28, 2026
- Lighting: 15:00
- Monday to Thursday, November 7 to December 10 (excluding national holidays): Herb gardens 10:00-17:00, last garden admission 16:30. Last ropeway departure uphill 16:45, downhill 17:15
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday and national holidays, November 7 to December 10: Herb gardens 10:00-20:30, last garden admission 20:00. Last ropeway departure uphill 20:15, downhill 21:00. All areas open
- Every day, December 11 to 28: Herb gardens 10:00-20:30, last garden admission 20:00. Last ropeway departure uphill 20:15, downhill 21:00. All areas open
- First ropeway departure: 9:30 every day
- Venue: Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens / Ropeway
- Address: 1-4-3 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
- Admission and ropeway fare: Adults ¥3,300, children ¥1,650 (both tax included). Children means elementary and junior high school students; preschoolers are free. A special Christmas season fare applies during the period, and there is no separate night fare
- Access: About a 5-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station (Shinkansen / Kobe Municipal Subway) to the base station. About 10 minutes by ropeway to the top
- Reservations: Whether reservations are required for general admission is not stated in this event announcement
The ropeway may be suspended and the garden closed during strong winds or thunder. Hours and fares are listed on the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens / Ropeway hours and fares page.
Image: courtesy of Kobe Resort Service Co., Ltd.
