Best viewing: late September to late October

The garden in front of the Glasshouse is planted with a whole field of fiery red kochia. Lit by the autumn sun, the red kochia take on a dazzling, shimmering glow, brimming with the feel of fall. It's the most spectacular autumn foliage photo spot in the park.

At the wide-open "Kaze no Oka Lawn Plaza," the kochia blend perfectly into Kobe's city skyline. Visitors can lie back in the hammocks on the lawn, soak up the warm sun, and gaze over Kobe's streets and the kochia lit by the setting sun. You can also snap the classic shot of the ropeway and kochia in the same frame.

Besides the hillsides of autumn color, the park's Welcome Garden gathers all kinds of autumn blooms. Cute kochia bloom alongside vividly colored cockscomb, zinnias, and other bright flowers, painting a vibrant autumn garden scene.

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is a hilltop resort with extremely convenient access. The ropeway station is about a 5 minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station, served by the Shinkansen and the Kobe Municipal Subway. Enjoy a roughly 10 minute ropeway ride through the air, with views of Kobe and the whole Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe cityscape along the way.

At the top, you'll find a herb garden with the feel of a medieval European castle town, planted with about 200 kinds of herbs and flowers, some 75,000 plants in all, across the four seasons. The park has a scenic restaurant, Cafe Lounge, open-air terrace, picnic area, and relaxing hammocks, making it perfect for a day trip to leisurely enjoy Kobe's autumn charm.