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Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour
Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour
Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour
Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour
Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour
Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour

Kobe Iconic Instagram Spot Day Tour from Osaka: Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Aquarium or Meriken Park and Mountain Night View丨One-stop Photo Tour

4.8 (5 reviews)
Tour Code: 672531
$51.95 per person
Best Price Guaranteed
Departure City Departure City
Osaka
End City End City
Osaka
Duration Duration
1 days
Language Language
English Live, Japanese Live, Chinese Live
Tour Themes Tour Themes
Natural Landscapes
Guide Type Guide Type
Guided Tour
Group Size Group Size
Standard Group Tour
Activity Level Activity Level
Moderate

Highlights

• Late departure and return - perfect for a sleep-in, leisurely morning holiday
• Visit Nunobiki Herb Garden, ATOA Art Aquarium or Amerikan Park, and enjoy mountain night views
• Travel with a local, experienced driver who provides reliable, attentive service
• Gain insight into Japanese culture and local lifestyle along the way
• Flexible, all-in-one sightseeing experience covering nature, art, and city landmarks
  • Promotion

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Itinerary

11:30am – Osaka
Start your beautiful day trip
Meeting Point Pick-up / Drop-off: 11:30 at Exit 2, Nipponbashi (Namba / Shinsaibashi area)
* Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes in advance as the tour will depart on time.

12:30pm – Kobe
▼ Nunobiki Herb Garden – Japan's Largest Herb Garden
Approx. 3 hours, self-guided; lunch & ropeway fees not included
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden is Japan's largest herb garden, featuring around 200 plant species with a total of 75,000 flowers and herbs. Spread across the hillside are 12 themed gardens, showcasing colorful seasonal blooms. Visitors can relax on hammocks or enjoy the herbal foot baths, and in spring, you can even lie down and admire the cherry blossoms.
Recommended ways to explore:
1.Round-trip ropeway – leave plenty of time to explore the garden.
2.One-way ropeway (up), walk back down – enjoy more natural scenery on the return.
【Nunobiki Ropeway】
Length: 1,460 m, approx. 10 minutes
360° panoramic views of Kobe through glass cabin windows
Garden Highlights:
【Summit Observatory】Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Kobe from 400 m above sea level.
【Fragrance Museum】See antique perfume bottles and scent-extraction tools; try the "Ultimate Scent Experience"with around 80 natural essential oils.
【Lavender Garden】Late May – early July
【Four Seasons Gardens】
Reception Garden (roses mid-May – late June, hydrangeas mid-June – late July)
Relaxation Garden (sit anywhere on the stairs and become the star of your own photo!)
【Glass Flowerhouse】Tropical dome, dried flower art, perfect for Instagram
【Herbal Foot Bath】Seasonal herbs, scenic views of Kobe; towels JPY 100.00
【Wind Hill Garden】Popular autumn spot with a cosmos flower sea
* Notes:
Ropeway closed for maintenance: Sep 1–4.
Garden open year-round except for ropeway maintenance.
In case of strong wind or bad weather, the alternative site is Kobe Ijinkan Street.


15:50pm – Kobe   Choose Your Afternoon Activity (Pick One)
Option 1:
▼ ATOA Art Aquarium (AQUARIUM × ART átoa)

Approx. 90 minutes, aquarium ticket not included. (Skip Amerikan Park / Kobe Harbor Ferris Wheel if choosing this option)
ATOA Aquarium, located on Kobe's waterfront, is a theatrical-style aquarium that combines aquatic exhibits, digital art, and stage design. The aquarium features 8 uniquely themed zones, including CAVE / The First Cave and ELEMENTS / Fairy Forest, which are whimsical and imaginative. Visitors can also explore the MIYABI zone, evoking the feel of a Japanese garden in seasonal motion, and the PLANETS zone, centered around Japan's largest spherical tank, illuminated by light and sound for a cinematic, immersive experience.
Additional facilities:
átoa Café: Enjoy desserts and drinks while overlooking Kobe Harbor.
Gift Shop: Offers exclusive souvenirs and Kobe-themed items.
Highlights in the aquarium:
【CAVE / The First Cave】Swim with rainbow-colored fish in an underwater world
【MARINE NOTE / Life's Rhythm】Feel like floating in the ocean
【LEMENTS / Fairy Forest】Walk through an underwater world into a forest of imagination
【SKYSHORE / Sky Garden】Cute animals and beautiful scenery
【AQUA TERRA】Japan's largest spherical tank with stunning light effects
【Wabi-Sabi Space】Experience Japanese aesthetics and seasonal scenery
【FOYER / Exploration Room】Interactive art installations to spark curiosity
【Close Animal Encounters】Hands-on activities with aquarium animals
Option 2:
▼ Amerikan Park & BE KOBE Cultural Landmarks / Kobe Harbor Mosaic Ferris Wheel
Approx. 80 minutes, free exploration. (Skip ATOA Aquarium if choosing this option)
Amerikan Park, located in central Kobe, was built in 1987 on reclaimed land between the Amerikamura Pier and Kobe Port Tower. Nearby landmarks include the Kobe Maritime Museum.
Highlights:
Fish Dance Sculpture on the north side
Hydrangea Bell Tower commemorating the first Kobe Fashion Festival in 1990
Some areas retain the original state post-1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake
Kobe Harbor is a historically significant commercial port with foreign-style architecture. Iconic sites include: Kobe Port Tower, Maritime Museum and Mosaic Ferris Wheel. Visitors can stroll along the harbor, enjoy sea breezes, and walk about 11 minutes to the Mosaic Ferris Wheel (ticket not included).

18:00pm – Mount Rokko
Japan's Top Night Views
▼ Mt. Maya

Approx. 80 minutes
Experience the magical Kobe skyline at Mt. Maya's Kikuseidai Observatory, famous for its million-dollar night view, one of Japan's top three night views. Mt. Maya is part of the Rokko mountain range, standing 702 meters above sea level. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views including Awaji Island, Akashi Bridge, and Shodoshima.
* Alternative: If winter road closures or other conditions prevent access to Mt. Maya Observatory, the tour will visit Mt. Rokko Night View instead.
▼ Mt. Rokko
Mt. Rokko is located near Kobe and is part of the Setonaikai National Park, also renowned as one of Japan's top three night views.
Recommended to avoid bus motion sickness on steep mountain roads.
* Rokkō Cable Car Operating Hours: 7:10am – 21:10pm
【Rokko Tenrandai Observatory】
Tenrandai was named by the Shōwa Emperor in 1981 (Shōwa 56). It is located next to the Rokkō Cable Car Sanjō Station and is one of the three most recommended night-view spots on Mt. Rokko. (Open year-round with free admission, except during the art festival period when an entry fee is required.)
Kobe's night view was designated as a "million-dollar night view"in 1953 (Shōwa 28). The name originated from the idea that the electricity cost for the nightscape seen from Mt. Rokko amounted to over one million USD per month at that time (when 1 USD = 360 JPY). Based on calculations in 2005 (Heisei 17), the electricity cost for just one night exceeded ten million USD (1 USD = 110 JPY), giving Kobe's night scenery an even more striking nickname: the "Ten-Million-Dollar Night View."
From here, you can enjoy a sweeping panorama-from the Wakayama area all the way to the Akashi Strait!

19:20pm – Return
End of the tour and depart back to Osaka City.
* The return time is for reference only and may be earlier depending on the day's smooth schedule and road conditions.

20:30pm – Arrival
Arrive and dismiss at Nipponbashi Exit 2 area, marking the end of the tour.
【Shinsaibashi】
Shinsaibashi is Osaka's most famous shopping street, home to major department stores, chain drugstores, long-established specialty shops, and small boutiques. You can find products of all types and styles here, including dedicated Hello Kitty and Disney stores. It is also a favorite spot for many shoppers thanks to the dense cluster of drugstores-perfect for picking up cosmetics and skincare items. Most stores have Chinese-speaking staff and accept UnionPay cards, making shopping hassle-free and enjoyable.
【Dotonbori】
Dotonbori is synonymous with Osaka cuisine. Whether day or night, this lively street never rests. As the birthplace of Osaka's "eat till you drop" food culture, it offers countless local snacks such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and Kinryu Ramen. You will also find traditional izakayas and numerous trendy, internet-famous restaurants, including the ever-popular Kani Doraku.
Tips
* Please note that the above itinerary schedule is subject to adjustment due to weather, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for your understanding.
Visiting Attractions

Nunobiki Herb Garden

Mount Rokko

Meal
B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

Meeting & Transfer Info

Meeting Point

11:30 AM | Osaka

Namba / Shinsaibashi area Exit 2, Nipponbashi

End Point

08:30 PM | Osaka

Namba / Shinsaibashi area Exit 2, Nipponbashi

Own Expenses

  • Nunobiki Ropeway
    Round-trip:
    JPY 2,000.00/Adults; JPY 1,000.00/Children (6–14); Preschoolers free
    One-way (up):
    JPY 1,400.00/Adults; JPY 700.00/Children (6–14); Preschoolers free
  • Mosaic Ferris Wheel
    JPY 800.00/Adults;
    Free for 0–2 years children
  • ATOA Art Aquarium (AQUARIUM × ART átoa)
    JPY 2,600.00/Adults (13+);
    JPY 1,500.00/Children (6–12);
    3–5 years free (1 child per adult; extra child JPY 500.00); under 3 years free
  • Rokko Mountain Cable Car
    Round-trip: JPY 1,550.00/Adult; JPY 780.00/Child;
    Rokko Tenrandai Observatory: JPY 500.00/person (valid from Aug 23 - Nov 30)
    The age of the children is subject to the official announcement of the Rokko Mountain Scenic Area.

What’s Included

Includes
  • Vehicle service fees as listed in the itinerary
  • Vehicle fuel, toll, and highway fees
  • Vehicle service duration: within 10 hours (as required by Japanese law)
  • Driver/guide service fees (for small groups of 1–13 people or bus groups of 14–45 people; actual arrangement will be adjusted according to the number of participants on the day)
  • Reference vehicle types:
    5–8 seats: Toyota Alphard
    9–14 seats: Toyota HiAce or equivalent
    18–22 seats: Mini bus
    Over 22 seats: Large bus
    The above vehicle types are for reference only and will be adjusted according to the number of participants on the day
Excludes
  • Accommodation fees, meals, attraction tickets, optional local activities, and other personal expenses
  • For this one-day tour, carrying luggage is not recommended
    - If you need to bring luggage, each person may bring one piece for free, with no size limit. Please indicate clearly when booking. If not noted at the time of booking, or if exceeding one piece per person, an additional charge of CNY 100.00/extra item will apply.
    - If the number of children under 3 without a seat and the luggage quantity are not specified in advance, and there is insufficient space on the vehicle, boarding will be refused and no refund will be provided.
  • Other items not mentioned above under "Included"

Special Notes

Know Before You Book:
  • After the order is confirmed, dates cannot be changed. Any losses incurred due to changes will be at your own expense.
  • Please provide complete information when booking (Name, Number of people, Phone number, WeChat ID, Pickup location) to avoid errors that may affect your itinerary.
  • During the tour, please keep your passport and valuables with you and take proper care of them. If lost, stolen, or damaged, you will be responsible for the consequences.
  • Elderly travelers, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or pregnant women are advised to travel with a family member or friend.
  • Guests under 18 are not accepted unless traveling with a guardian.
  • This tour operates on a shared vehicle fixed itinerary. Please follow the designated stay times at each attraction and follow the driver-guide's instructions. For a more flexible itinerary, please refer to our chartered tour services.
  • No refunds for missing or interrupting the tour due to personal issues or tardiness. Please be aware.
  • If you self-detach from the group during the tour, your participation will be deemed void, and no refund will be provided. If this leads to any safety or property issues, the responsibility lies with you.
  • Due to factors like traffic, weather, holidays, or crowds, the arrival times at each destination may vary. In case of delays or cancellations due to these or other force majeure factors, no refunds will be given.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for travel.
  • Please abide by local Japanese laws and avoid bringing items prohibited by Japanese law to avoid legal issues.
  • During free time, pay attention to your personal safety. Any accidents or losses due to not following safety advice will be at your own risk.
Participant Guidelines:
  • Travelers aged 70 or above must ensure they are in good health and travel with a family member or friend aged 22 or older.
  • Minors under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult traveler throughout the tour.
  • Elderly travelers are required to provide a health certificate, which can be submitted electronically before departure.
  • Pregnant women, people with heart conditions, vertigo, or other special needs should refrain from booking this tour, as there may be risks of refusal.
  • Non-mainland Chinese guests are welcome to book, but please note that we do not provide services in languages other than Chinese, Japanese and English. We appreciate your understanding.
Know Before You Go: 
This tour follows a shared group model with services provided by the local travel agency. To facilitate the departure, the agency may transfer passengers to a different vehicle and assign a different guide or driver, but the service level and itinerary will remain the same as per the contract.
  • Pickup/Meeting:
    Please arrive at the designated pickup point at the specified time. Do not be late. This product is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you miss the tour for personal reasons, you will need to bear the corresponding loss.
  • In-tour guidelines:
    No early departure or midway detachment from the group is allowed. If you choose to leave midway, any remaining portions of the tour will be considered forfeited, and no refund will be given. You will be responsible for any accidents that occur after detaching from the group.
    During peak tourist seasons or special circumstances, the tour's departure time may be slightly adjusted (please follow the guide's instructions).
    Traffic, weather, and other special conditions may result in adjustments to the tour order, though the planned attractions will not be reduced. The guide may rearrange the order of stops with your consent.
    Meals are not included in this itinerary; breakfast, lunch, and dinner are at your own expense. Please note that some restaurants do not allow outside food or may not permit occupying a seat without ordering.
  • Local customs/regulations:
    Please respect local cultural customs during the tour.
  • Weather:
    The tour may be adjusted due to weather or other factors. For your safety, the staff may cancel outdoor activities and make alternative arrangements.
    In case of severe weather or other force majeure factors, the park may delay or cancel certain attractions or shows without prior notice.
  • Meal: 
    This tour does not include meals; please arrange your own.
  • Shopping:
    Some scenic spots, restaurants, and rest areas may have shops that are not affiliated with the travel agency. Please shop wisely and keep receipts. If any shopping disputes arise, you are responsible for handling them.
    The destination may have privately operated entertainment or consumer venues that lack legal business credentials. For your safety and well-being, please exercise caution when considering purchases or participation.
Travel Reminders:
  • Due to the unpredictable nature of traffic conditions, weather, holidays, and crowd levels, the arrival times at each destination may vary. In accordance with Japanese law, drivers are not permitted to work for more than 10 hours per day. To ensure the safety of both the driver and all passengers, we may need to adjust the itinerary based on real-time conditions. This could include shortening the duration at certain attractions or canceling some stops altogether. We sincerely ask for your understanding and support in prioritizing safety.
  • In the event of the above or other force majeure situations, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we kindly ask for your understanding that no refunds will be issued under such circumstances. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of both the driver and travelers, and to maintain the smooth operation of the tour.
  • We are committed to providing the best possible travel experience, but in some cases, flexible adjustments to the itinerary are necessary. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
  • Examples of force majeure events include, but are not limited to:
    Natural disasters: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, typhoons, etc.
    Traffic incidents: Road accidents, severe traffic congestion, etc.
    Weather conditions: Extreme weather such as heavy snow, rain, or fog may affect transportation and schedules.
    Government regulations: Emergency government measures, traffic restrictions, or regulations may lead to itinerary changes.
    Health emergencies: Sudden health issues involving guests or team members that require urgent medical care.
    Social events: Strikes, protests, or social unrest that may disrupt travel plans.
    Mechanical failures: Vehicle or transportation malfunctions causing delays.
Kind Tips:
  • Please keep your phone available during the tour to ensure we can contact you.
  • If you are prone to motion sickness, please prepare accordingly to avoid affecting your travel experience.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, windbreakers, cameras, and other necessary items.
  • Keep your personal belongings safe and avoid carrying valuables. If lost or damaged during the tour, you will be responsible for the loss.
  • Safety Warning: Activities such as swimming, rafting, diving, skiing, ice-skating, and snow activities involve risks. Please participate according to your own condition and refer to local authorities' recommendations.

The time we mentioned in the itinerary is for reference only. Please refer to your guide on tour for the actual arrangement. The visiting order and duration might be changed according to actual and practical situation for better service.
This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement: If you have traveled to or transited through yellow fever-endemic regions including East African countries (excluding Tanzania) or South American countries, either before or after your trip, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement can apply not only for joining tours but also for certain flights or entry into specific countries. For more details, please refer to the official site: : Yellow Fever Risk Areas - Fit for Travel
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