Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens: The Original 2026 Autumn and Christmas Schedule

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens announced autumn-leaf lighting and Christmas illumination together from November 7 to December 28, 2026. The operator said it would expand the lighting areas and add lights. Special admission including the return ropeway was JPY 3,300 for adults and JPY 1,650 for elementary/junior-high students during the period. Check whether your chosen date has evening operation before planning a night view.

This photograph of the gardens and ropeway was taken December 8, 2012. It does not document this year’s foliage or the 2026 night display.

In November, evening operation on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese public holidays

From November 7–December 10, evening operation applied Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese public holidays; from December 11–28 it applied daily. On evening-opening dates, the gardens closed at 8:30 p.m. and the final downhill ropeway was 9 p.m. The last uphill service was 8:15 p.m., so 9 p.m. was not an admission time.

The first ropeway was at 9:30 a.m.; the gardens opened at 10 a.m. and market at 10:30 a.m. Market, garden, and ropeway closing times differ, so plan shopping and the descent separately.

Autumn lighting at 3 p.m.; peak-leaf season is a usual-year guide

Autumn lights and the Corridor of Light switched on at 3 p.m.; the Forest Christmas Tree at 4:30 p.m. The operator gave early November–early December as the usual peak foliage period. That does not mean leaves remain at their peak until the event ends December 28; actual color needed checking shortly before visiting.

A separate lighting ceremony was planned for November 7, so check the official event notice for the opening day’s switch-on. Lights also began on days without extended evening operation, but the gardens closed at 5 p.m.

Adult JPY 3,300 including return ropeway and admission; no discounted night rate

The special November 7–December 28 prices were JPY 3,300 for adults or JPY 1,650 for elementary/junior-high students, including return ropeway and garden admission, with preschool children free. No separate discounted evening rate applied during the Christmas period, so a late visit should not be budgeted using a usual night-ticket price.

The official event page linked web-ticket purchasing. A web ticket could simplify the purchase process on the lower station’s fourth floor, but you still joined the same first-floor ropeway boarding queue. Online purchase was not priority boarding.

Five minutes from Shin-Kobe, then about ten minutes by ropeway

From Sannomiya, the source described the Kobe municipal subway to Shin-Kobe (新神戸駅), then about five minutes on foot to the lower ropeway station and about ten minutes to the upper station. Strong winds or lightning could suspend the ropeway and close the gardens, so check the day’s operating notice before leaving.

Garden stair routes closed at night, and the north and south hiking gates could not be used after 5:30 p.m. Do not rely on a mountain-path descent; allow time before the last downhill ropeway.