Rokko Garden Terrace offers the best panoramic views of Kobe, perched near the summit of Mount Rokko, a towering 932-meter peak that rises north of the city. This scenic spot is not only famous for its breathtaking vistas, including Kobe’s famed "ten-million-dollar night view," but also for its dining and shopping options at the observation facility. Whether you visit during the day or stay to watch the city lights twinkle at night, Rokko Garden Terrace promises an unforgettable experience. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make the most of your time at this iconic location, both day and night.

Kobe is easily accessible from both Osaka and Kyoto, and Mt. Rokko is a well-known destination for both tourists and locals. Near the summit, popular spots like the Rokko Music Box Museum and Rokkosan Pasture offer enjoyable experiences for families and friends. The view from the summit is particularly stunning, offering panoramic vistas of Kobe City, Osaka, Wakayama, and Osaka Bay.

The best way to reach the summit is via the Rokko Cable Car, which began service in 1932 and celebrated its 86th anniversary in March 2018. The ride covers 493.3 meters and takes just 10 minutes to reach the top.

After arriving at Rokko Sanjo Station by cable car, a bus will take you to Rokko Garden Terrace, a short 15-minute ride away. Once there, you'll find several shops nestled within the garden area, with stunning views just a short walk from the terrace.

Opened in 2003, Rokko Garden Terrace is an observatory that makes use of the mountain’s natural terrain. Stretching along the ridge of Mt. Rokko, it features an observatory, an observation deck, a beautiful garden filled with seasonal flowers, four dining establishments, five shops, and a parking lot. The highlight, of course, is the breathtaking views available from various vantage points throughout the terrace.

Rokko Garden Terrace is dotted with exotic buildings. There is also a garden of beautiful flowers, such as roses and lilies, that bloom each season. This is a good place for a leisurely stroll.

The Rokko-Shidare Observatory Nature Experience Observation Deck, the highest point on Mt. Rokko, is a particularly popular attraction at the terrace. Designed by architect Hiroshi Sanbuichi, the observatory is distinguished by its unique domed frame that encompasses the entire structure, offering a striking architectural presence.

The design of the Rokko-Shidare Observatory was intended to resemble a large bush standing atop Mt. Rokko. The frame, walls, and floor are crafted from Japanese cypress harvested in Yoshino, Nara Prefecture, filling the interior with the pleasant aroma of the wood. During the day, sunlight filters through the frame, creating a dreamlike, almost fantastical atmosphere. It’s truly an observatory that blends harmoniously with nature.

Incidentally, when night falls the area has a different type of attraction which we will explain a bit later.

The property features three restaurants and cafes, each designed with large windows to provide excellent views of the surrounding landscape. Among them, the Granite Cafe is especially popular, known not only for its stylish dishes but also for its breathtaking panoramic views.

The cafe is named after the granite stone used in its construction, a material that is found in abundance on Mt. Rokko.

The cafe offers a selection of fashionable European-style dishes and desserts, featuring locally harvested vegetables and Kobe beef. In addition to its lunch menu, the pastries served during tea time are particularly popular and worth a try!

In the evening, diners can choose from a variety of options, including meat, fish, or one of three types of pasta for the main course. You can also order à la carte items such as individual meat dishes and assorted cheeses, or indulge in a special dinner course.

The popular cheese fondue made with lots of Emmental and Gruyere cheeses skillfully blended with white wine in a small, round pot has a truly authentic taste.

The Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace, another restaurant at Garden Terrace, specializes in Mongolian-style barbecue known as Jingisukan (Genghis Khan) in Japan, featuring healthy lamb meat. The menu also offers a wide variety of dishes prepared with premium Wagyu beef and fresh seafood, benefiting from Kobe’s proximity to both the sea and the mountains.

Rokko View Palace is a cafeteria-style restaurant. The menu offers curries, hamburgers, and other casual dishes which can be enjoyed over lively conversation with family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

A unique feature of all the restaurants at Rokko Garden Terrace is their commitment to using locally produced ingredients from Kobe and its surrounding areas. This ensures that every dish on the menu is fresh and delicious.

Dining here offers a truly special experience—enjoy your meal to the sound of birds chirping in the fresh mountain air, while taking in the breathtaking views that stretch before you. It’s a perfect way to savor something extraordinary.

There are also two souvenir shops, Rokko Souvenir Shop and Horti, at Garden Terrace offering a wide selection of primarily food items representative of Kobe and Hyogo Prefecture.

There are also a variety of events held each season on the terrace (see the official calendar here).

During our visit, an event called "Mt. Rokko Swiss Fair ~ Join Heidi, the Girl of the Alps" was taking place. The event featured panel displays, Swiss cuisine, and Heidi-themed goods for sale, giving the entire terrace a charming Swiss atmosphere.

During the event, the Granite Cafe also offered a special menu, which included the Engadiner Nusstorte—a traditional Swiss pastry from the Engadine region that has been enjoyed for over 200 years. This rich, caramelized nut-filled pastry is packed with flavor (and calories!), earning it the nickname "The Forbidden Sweet." A limited quantity was available exclusively for the month of May during the fair.

Once the sun goes down the beautiful view during the day is transformed into something special.

Now that we’ve enjoyed the view below, let’s turn our attention to the peak behind us. You should be able to see the brightly lit Rokko Shidare!

The Lightscape in Rokko is an illumination art event held at Rokko Garden Terrace, where over 10 million colorful LED lights illuminate Rokko Shidare year-round, reflecting the colors of the four seasons.

Designed by lighting artist Masayuki Fushimi, the event is themed around The Pillow Book and bathes the interior of Rokko Shidare in seasonal hues: purple for spring, moonlight blue for summer, setting sun orange for autumn, and silver for winter.

The spring version, Spring Dawn, was shown until May 31. It evoked an image of pink cherry blossoms and white clouds tinged by purple during the morning sunrise.

The colors will be changed through the seasons, each time showing a more mystical world.

In the past, part of Rokko Shidare was known as the Jukkoku Observatory, which featured a slow-revolving floor—a fond memory for some local residents. This modern, innovative observatory is sure to attract even more attention in the future.

When visiting Kobe or Osaka, don't just admire Mt. Rokko from below—make sure to take the time to journey to the summit. With its numerous spots offering breathtaking views, and the experience of walking among the clouds at Rokko Garden Terrace, a visit to the top is truly unforgettable.