Mt. Rokko lies to the north of Kobe, and to its south is the Seto Inland Sea.

Kobe is protected from the cold north wind by Mt. Rokko, and the relatively high water temperature of the Seto Inland Sea combine to make for a mild winter.

Strong winds blowing from Awaji and the Akashi Strait in the west work to eliminate the heat island effect in summer.

In addition, the sunshine hours are long and as the humidity is moderate it creates an environment that is comfortable for sightseeing.

The city center, where Sannomiya is located, has a well-developed public transportation system making access by train, subway, and bus easy, so there are plenty of places where you can enjoy yourself even in slightly bad weather.

The expression sankan shion, which means three cold days followed by four warm days, is often heard at the beginning of March.

According to past data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average temperature in Kobe in March is 9.3°C.

The average minimum temperature is 6.0° C and the average maximum temperature is 12.8° C.

The mornings and evenings are still chilly, but the days become increasingly sunny, warmer and more comfortable.
From mid-March to April there are days of continuous drizzling rain so this is called the "long rains of spring".

These are felt by many to be harbingers of spring in Kobe, but care still must be taken in regards to clothing because the temperature drops when it rains.

This is also a time when cedar pollen is heavy, so those who suffer from hay fever would be wise to check the pollen reports.

The cold of winter is still lingering in early March, so you will probably need to wear a wool sweater or cardigan and a coat with a liner or heavy jacket. Tights and short boots are ideal for women wearing skirts. Heavy trousers should be adequate and thick socks also are advisable. Towards the end of March, a trench coat or jacket is enough to keep you warm.

The weather can change sharply in a single day, so it’s a good idea to keep a large stole or muffler with you. You should also keep a folding umbrella with you in case of sudden, unexpected rain.

If you are affected by hay fever, then be sure to bring a proper mask and eye protection if necessary.

● Clothing items
Tops: (men and women) short coats, jackets, wool sweaters, cardigans
Bottoms: (men and women) wool slacks (women) skirts + thin tights
Footwear: short boots, sneakers
Accessories: stoles

Near the summit of Mt. Rokko, there are facilities where you can enjoy being in nature, such as Rokkosan Pasture, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, and Rokkosan Country House where you can barbecue. There are also restaurants and accommodations so you can relax and spend the night there, too, if you wish.

The night view from the top of the mountain is also beautiful at this time of year. From here you are afforded an excellent view of Kobe, Osaka, and the Kii Peninsula beyond Osaka Bay. From April the view becomes hazy, so it is best to go in the middle of March.

The blooming of cherry blossoms between the end of March and early April is proof that spring has definitely arrived. Spring in Kobe is a pleasant and comfortable time because the average temperature is 14.9°C, though it can rise to nearly 20°C during the day.

But keep in mind that the temperature can sharply drop at night. Kobe gets strong winds and when the strongest wind of the year occurs it is called Haru Ichiban [first of spring] and is an indication that spring in Kobe has actually come.

A cotton spring coat or jacket is adequate on sunny days, but as the temperature sharply drops at night you should wear something extra underneath and perhaps take a stole or something you can wrap around you if you go out at night.

● Clothing items
Tops: (men and women) spring coats, jackets. cardigans
Bottoms: (men and women) jeans, (women) skirts + stockings
Footwear: (men and women) sneakers (women) pumps
Accessories: (men and women) large stole

Early April is when the cherries, so loved by the Japanese, bloom. When they are in full bloom, people love to gather beneath them to enjoy their view while eating and drinking with friends.

Famous cherry-viewing spots are lit up at night and because the nights are cold, this is called hanabie - literally “chilled flowers” - so if you go out to view them at night you should take a cardigan or jacket with you.

In the suburbs of Kobe, the cherry blossoms illuminated at night at the Kobe Oji Zoo, which is popular for its pandas, are beautiful.

In May the average temperature is 19°C. The weather at this time is mild and comfortable, the highest temperature being 23.2°C and the lowest 16.2°C. In recent years, however, there have been some sunny days when the temperature rises sharply, reaching around 30°C, much like in summer.

At such times the sun is so strong that you will perspire heavily, so it is important to remember to protect yourself from the ultraviolet light and to stay hydrated.

The weather is so comfortable that you can comfortably get by without a jacket and with just a sweatshirt or T-shirt. On sunny days normally short-sleeved shirts are good for the daytime, but the temperature does vary at times, so you might want to keep a cotton hoodie or cardigan with you.

The sun is so strong at this time of year that you will also need to take steps to protect yourself from the ultraviolet light by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and using sunscreen.

● Clothing items
Tops: (men and women) sweatshirts, polo shirts
Bottoms: (men and women) jeans, (women) skirts + stockings
Footwear: (men and women) sneakers (women) pumps
Accessories: (men and women) scarves

The May weather is perfect for visiting the Kobe Kitano Ijinkan (former residences of early foreign settlers). A 10-15 minute walk from Kobe's center, Sannomiya and Motomachi, will bring you to a stylish townscape set in an exotic atmosphere.

We suggest you purchase a ticket set that will allow you to leisurely visit several of the old foreign residences there. There are lots of hills, so wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, use sunscreen, sunglasses, and take a towel for wiping away perspiration.


The warm days of spring in Kobe are a time of excitement, a season perfect for enjoying life outdoors, but as there can be sharp swings in temperature at this time, you also need to pay attention to your health. When planning your spring trip to Kobe remember that the weather can be quite different, it being still wintry at times in March and summer-like in May.

Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Meteorological Agency website