[Kobe City] Perfect for families! Enjoy the healing nature of Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden

• Table of Contents
• A botanical garden where you can observe plants as they are
• Three major events at the Forest Botanical Garden
• Plenty of playgrounds recommended for families with children
• basic information

A botanical garden where you can observe plants as they are

The Forest Botanical Garden is located about 10 minutes from the Hanshin Expressway's Minaya IC. If you are going by public transportation, you can take the free shuttle bus from Kobe Electric Railway's Kita Suzurandai Station and arrive in about 10 minutes. Free shuttle bus cannot be reserved. The boarding time is posted on the website, so it's best to check it in advance.

Reference: Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden Access by train/bus

The Forest Botanical Garden opened in 1940 (Showa 15). Located on a corner of Mt. Rokko, it was opened as a botanical garden where you can observe plants as they really are.

The vast garden is home to approximately 1,200 types of woody plants, including approximately 500 foreign species, making it a place surrounded by greenery and rich in nature.

Inside the park, there are flower spots such as the ``Azalea and Rhododendron Garden'' and the ``Hydrangea Garden,'' as well as plantings and displays of trees by region of origin, such as North American Forest Area, European Forest Area, Asian Forest Area, and Japanese Forest Area. There is a place.

It takes about 1-2 hours to go around, so it's a great exercise. Please sit on the bench and take a break while enjoying a leisurely stroll through the park.

``Hase Pond'' where water lilies bloom

For those who want to take great photos, we recommend the Aoba Tunnel. The tunnel lit up with colored LEDs is very beautiful!

The color patterns change depending on the season, and there are seven in total. It's a little cool inside, so it's a good idea to stop by to cool off.

As you stroll through the park, be sure to pay attention to the three metasequoia trees in the metasequoia forest. These are three of the 100 metasequoia seedlings grown in the United States and sent to Japan in 1950, and these precious trees are still planted in the Forest Botanical Garden to this day.

Be sure to check out the photo spot “Metasequoia Namiki” on the north side of the park!

In April 2023, the 1st floor exhibition space of the Forest Exhibition Hall will be reopened. With the theme of "Forests and Us," you can learn about forests through dioramas, panel displays, animal exhibits, and more.

There is also a library corner where you can read books related to forests, so we recommend sitting on a chair and enjoying a leisurely read. We also have picture books that even small children can enjoy.

Next to the Forest Exhibition Hall, there is also a cafe called ``Forest Cafe Le Pic'' run by Yuge Farm in Kita Ward, Kobe City. From the food menu such as bagel sandwiches and curry, to the sweets menu such as special milk soft serve ice cream made with freshly squeezed milk, why not stop by when you have a break?

Rich milk flavored soft serve ice cream

There is also a forest general store called Le Pic.

Forest General Store Le Pic

Business hours: Regular (late March to early December) 9:30 to 17:00 (LO 16:30), winter season (early December to late March) 10:00 to 16:00 (LO 15:30)

*Closing time and last order may change depending on the weather.

Regular holidays: Normal (late March to early December) Botanical garden closed days, winter season (early December to late March) Weekdays

Phone number: 078-591-1919

At Michikusa Terrace Perch, a shop near Hase Pond, you can enjoy drinks such as cafe au lait and milk tea made with plenty of milk from Yuge Farm.

Michikusa Terrace Perch Business hours: Regular (late March to November) 10:00 to 15:30 (LO 15:00), closed in winter (December to late March)

*Closing time and last order may change depending on the weather.

Closed: Normally (late March to November) Weekdays, Closed in winter (December to late March)

Phone number: 078-591-5330

Three major events at the Forest Botanical Garden

Photo provided by: “Forest Botanical Garden” / Brightly colored rhododendron flowers

Speaking of ``Forest Botanical Garden'', it is famous for its ``Fresh Green Azalea and Rhododendron Walk'' in spring, ``Hydrangea Walk in the Forest'' from June to July, and ``Forest Maple Walk'' in autumn.

During the period, the number of free shuttle buses will be increased, and events such as walking sessions led by guide staff will also be held. At the ``Fresh Green Azaleas and Rhododendron Walk,'' you can admire about 4,000 rhododendrons and azaleas of 37 different species, including the Tsukushi rhododendron and the Hosoba rhododendron.

During the hydrangea walk in the forest, you can see about 50,000 hydrangeas of 25 species and 350 varieties in the ``Hydrangea Garden'' and other places. Among them, Shichidanka, which was included in Siebold's ``Japanese Flora'', is one of the special species of Mt. Rokko. Because it was never actually seen, it was called a ``phantom flower,'' but this hydrangea was discovered on Mt. Rokko in 1959.

Small and pretty Shichidanka

Photo provided by: “Forest Botanical Garden”

During the autumn forest maple walk period, approximately 3,000 trees of 38 different species, including Japanese red maple, Japanese maple, Japanese maple, and metasequoia, turn red and yellow, and the park is crowded with many visitors who enjoy viewing the autumn leaves.

Photo provided by: “Forest Botanical Garden”/Metasequoia tree lined road

Starting from November 3rd, opening hours will be extended on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. When the sun goes down, it is lit up and you can enjoy a romantic view.

Plenty of playgrounds recommended for families with children

The Forest Botanical Garden has a 30,000 square meter lawn area and a playground with complex play equipment. The ``multipurpose plaza'' on the north side of the park is a spacious area with grass as far as the eye can see. Tents and tarps that use pegs or ropes are not allowed, but pop-up tents can be expanded, so we recommend bringing a packed lunch on a sunny day.

The "Children's Square" located to the south of the multi-purpose square is fully equipped with slides, swings, net play equipment, compound play equipment, and more, making it perfect for families!

The Chibikko Hiroba also has play equipment for young children, so it will be fun to bring your little ones along.

There are two Tarzan ropes on the ``Boken no Oka'' to the north of the multipurpose plaza, and there is also a ``Antelope Park'' on the south side of the park where you can see Japanese serows, which are designated as special natural treasures. Please enjoy forest bathing while taking a walk around the area while exercising.

(Writer Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is information as of June 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

basic information

Kobe City Forest Botanical Garden

Address: 1-2 Nagao, Kamiyagami, Yamada-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 078-591-0253

Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (Entry until 16:30)

*During the “Hydrangea Walk in the Forest” and “Forest Maple Walk” periods, the park is open early in the morning and for extended periods.Closed on Wednesdays (or the following day in the case of holidays)

*Open throughout the periods of ``Fresh Green Azalea/Rhododendron Walk'', ``Hydrangea Walk in the Forest'', and ``Forest Maple Walk'' Admission fee: 300 yen for adults (15 years and older, excluding junior high school students), 150 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students)

Access: Approximately 10 minutes from Hanshin Expressway “Minoya IC” Approximately 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from Kobe Electric Railway “Kitasuzurandai Station”

Parking: Available (700 spaces)

HP: https://www.kobe-park.or.jp/shinrin/

SNS: Instagram