[Kobe City] This is an oasis in the city! Kobe City Sorakuen is full of highlights

• Table of Contents
• great value bus tickets
• Japanese garden “Sorakuen” in the middle of Kobe city
• There are three nationally important cultural properties within the park.
• There are many other things to see at Sorakuen
• If you want to take a break, visit Sorakuen Parlor.
• How to get to Sorakuen (access method)
• basic information

great value bus tickets

Kobe 1-day bus ticket

This is a bus ticket that allows you to ride the City Loop and Port Loop that run through Kobe city as much as you like for 700 yen a day. If you want to visit sightseeing spots in Kobe, use this ticket for an easy and comfortable trip.

Click here for purchase and details of Kobe 1-day bus ticket

Hyogo Amazing Pass

This ticket is recommended for those who are considering touring around Himeji and Hyogo prefectures other than Kobe! Kobe 1-day bus ticket contents + A mobile ticket that allows you to ride unlimited Shinki Bus routes for 1,000 yen per day. *Limited to foreign visitors tourists visiting Japan

Click here for purchase and details of Hyogo Amazing Pass

Japanese garden “Sorakuen” in the middle of Kobe city

Sorakuen is located in the area north of JR Motomachi Station, where the Hyogo Prefectural Office, Hyogo Prefectural Government Office, and Hyogo Prefectural Police Headquarters Building are located. This is a place where some people are surprised to find a Japanese garden in such a place!

However, "Sorakuen" existed even before the buildings were built. The city of Kobe took over the residence of Yasujiro Kodera (father of former Kobe mayor Kenkichi Kodera), which was completed at the end of the Meiji era, in 1941.

If you think back to when this place was first built, you can't help but feel that the many cultures brought in from overseas were fused with Japanese characteristics. I go to work in Western clothes, and on my days off, I relax in Japanese clothes and take a walk around the park. That kind of scenery comes to mind.

Initially, it was called Sotetsuen because there were many cycads in the park, but it was later called Sorakuen after a passage in the ancient Chinese book, I Ching, titled ``Washite Joy Aita no Shimu.'' It was named and opened to the public.

In recent years, many foreign visitors tourists have been seen, and on the day of the interview (weekdays), I feel that 20-30% of the foreign visitors individual tourists. There is also a wide variety of other events, such as groups coming for pre-wedding photos (this is a popular spot for pre-wedding photos in Kobe) and field trips for nearby kindergarteners. It is a perfect place to call an ``urban oasis.''

There are three nationally important cultural properties within the park.

The only buildings that remain from the time of construction are the main gate made entirely of zelkova and the "Old Kodera family stables" (an important cultural property).

The ``Old Kodera Stables'' was designed by Kozo Kawai, an architect who was active in the Meiji and Taisho periods.

The remaining buildings designed by Kozo Kawai include the Kobe District Court Office, the former Nihon Hori Hall (currently the Kaigan Building, a registered tangible cultural property), and the former Mitsui & Co. Kobe Branch (currently the Kaigan Building, a registered tangible cultural property). The stable is built in the style of a German house, with a circular tower, steeply pitched roof, and dormer windows.The left side is the carriage house, the right side is the stables, and the second floor is the stable staff's quarters.

"Old Hassam House" (Important Cultural Property) is the residence of JK Hassam, an Indian-British trader. The one that was located in Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku has been relocated. Western-style exterior with tiled roof. The characteristics of the Ijinkan from the Meiji era remain well. The servants' rooms and warehouses behind the main house, including the east gate, have been designated as important cultural properties of the country.

In addition, the two street lamps (gas lamps) in the front garden are among the oldest in Japan and were located in a former settlement. It is a building with a lot to see. The interior is open to the public during Golden Week and during the fall foliage season.

The building called Funayakata (Important Cultural Property) is the house-shaped part of a river barge owned by the Himeji Domain (Himeji City) during the Edo period.

A gozabune is a ship used by feudal lords for commuting and for sightseeing. The Funaya-style boat is the only existing river barge and has been designated as a national important cultural property. This is also open to the public twice a year at the same time as the old Hassam House.

There are many other things to see at Sorakuen

Satsuki azalea (late May to early June)

Although people tend to focus on important cultural properties, Sorakuen has many other attractions as well. The most popular season is the azalea season, which blooms from mid-April to early June. Throughout the park, you can enjoy the azaleas starting with the Dodan azalea, followed by Kirishima azalea, Hirado azalea, and Satsuki azalea.

Hydrangeas are at their peak from late May.

The autumn foliage season is also popular. The scenery of the Japanese garden is especially spectacular. There is a strolling garden with a pond that cleverly utilized a pond that was once used for agriculture, and offers a beautiful view. There are Rhododendron azaleas and Japanese maples, and the autumn leaves must be quite beautiful.

Another appeal of the Japanese garden is that you can enjoy it regardless of the season. You can also enjoy listening to the sounds of birds chirping, deer rustling, and suikinkutsu. If you walk around the pond, you'll see waterfalls and cave-like areas. It represents the world of deep mountains and valleys, and the cave is the boundary with another world. As you pass through it, the sounds, wind, and light change, so enjoy a dialogue with nature.

A particularly recommended way to enjoy it is to admire the trees here.

Sotetsuen is on the right as soon as you enter the main gate. Cycads are considered auspicious plants because of their long lifespans. These are plants that Mr. Yasujiro Kodera has a deep fondness for, and are said to have been ordered and planted from Kagoshima, and some of them are over 300 years old. Since it is called Sotetsuen Garden, it is rare that there are so many of them.

A large camphor tree said to be 500 years old. It has been designated as a citizen tree of Kobe City.

This tree was planted by Murashige Araki, who is known for rebelling against Oda Nobunaga. It is said that when Hanakuma Castle was being built, it was planted at this location in the direction of Kimon. A figure standing in the center of Sorakuen. It has style. You will be surprised at the size of the large lantern (yukimi lantern) at the base. The size of the umbrella is just over 6 tatami mats, and it weighs 11 tons. (The foundation (foot) part was replaced because it was damaged)

Another tree designated as a Kobe City citizen tree is the white pine. It is a member of the pine family and is rare in Japan, and is said to be a "sacred tree" in China. I am in love with the beautiful shape of the tree.

The lawn area is a spot where you can see both trees. During Mr. Kodera's time, a garden party was held at this location every year. It is a power spot surrounded by energetic trees.

Ironami autumn leaves with branches extending horizontally

The paths in the Japanese garden are narrow and there are many ups and downs, but they are well-maintained to make it easy to walk, so you can enjoy a pleasant stroll. Every time I visit, I make new discoveries, such as being surprised by the vitality of a tree I casually discover, or encountering beauty that takes my breath away. There are many tags with tree names and two-dimensional codes, so it's a great place to admire and learn about plants.

The stone lanterns placed here and there are also interesting. Some of them have the eyes of dice, giving a sense of playfulness. Everyone enjoys Sorakuen in their own way.

What we can say for sure is that it is a pleasant space that is cool in the summer, colorful in the spring and fall, and filled with the vitality of evergreen trees in the winter. It's truly an oasis in the city.

If you want to take a break, visit Sorakuen Parlor.

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"Sorakuen Kaikan"

In Sorakuen, which has several important cultural properties, there was a building called Sorakuen Kaikan that was used as a guest house for Kobe. Carrying on this history, since 2018 it has been operated as "THE SORAKUEN" as a place to provide special hospitality such as a reception venue and wedding reception venue.

As soon as you step inside the building, you will be impressed by the atmosphere. If you go to the back, you will find "Sorakuen Parlor". A popular restaurant that gets fully booked during lunch time. We offer limited daily lunch specials (weekdays only), Tajima beef yakiniku bowl, hayashi rice, and more.

This time we will introduce cafe time. The terrace seats overlooking the Japanese garden are popular, and the menu features seasonal items such as parfaits and cake sets.

What I received was the standard and popular item ``Homemade Pudding'' (550 yen). The pudding is made with plenty of free-range eggs from ``Keien Miyamoto'' in Ono City, and has a firm texture that gives it a nostalgic and comforting taste. The cream made with orange liqueur gives it a mature impression, just like the atmosphere of the store.

There are also orange fruits under the cream, and if you add orange peels scattered around it, you can add a refreshing sour accent and enjoy a change in taste. This dish is filled with a lot of thought, as a result of a lot of research into creating specialties using local ingredients during the coronavirus pandemic. It's no wonder that there are fans who come looking for this.

Sorakuen Parlor also holds limited-time events. For example, from June 1st to August 31st, 2023, we will be holding an event offering "Apple", which is known as Kobe's soul drink. This is a valuable project where you can enjoy stylish juice from a long-established store that is rarely seen outside of Nagata Ward and Hyogo Ward while looking out at the cool summer scenery of Sorakuen. Check it out on the official website.

Sorakuen Parlor is open until 5pm. If you want to enjoy dinner while looking at the illuminated Japanese garden, go to Restaurant Sagara on the second floor. However, reservations are required.

How to get to Sorakuen (access method)

There is no parking lot at Sorakuen. We recommend using public transportation. The nearest station is a 5-minute walk north from Kencho-mae Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway. If you are using the bus, get off at Shinki Bus Yamanote Line "Subway Kencho-mae" stop and walk 5 minutes.

If you use the affordable City Loop Bus Ticket (1-day pass, 2-day pass), you can also use the Yamanote Line route. However, please note that the Yamanote Line route has fewer trains. For more information on the "City Loop Bus," please refer to this article.

(Writer Takashi Tsukamoto)

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

basic information

Kobe City Sorakuen

Address: 5-3-1 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City

Phone number: 078-351-5155

Business hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (admission until 16:30)

Closed days: Every Thursday (if it falls on a holiday, the park will open and close the next day), December 29th to January 3rd

Admission fee: Adults (15 years and older) 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students 150 yen

Access: 5 minutes walk from Kencho-mae Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin/Yamanote Line, 15 minutes walk from Hanakuma Station on the Kobe Rapid Transit Tozai Line, 10 minutes walk from Motomachi Station on the Hanshin Main Line, 10 minutes walk from Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line. 5 minutes walk from Shinki Bus Yamanote Line "Subway Kencho-mae"

Official website: http://www.sorakuen.com/

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/sorakuen_kobe/?hl=ja

Sorakuen Parlor (inside THE SORAKUEN)

Address: 5-3-1 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City

Phone number: 078-341-1191 (main)

Business hours: 11:00-17:00

Closed: Every Wednesday (temporary closures may occur)

Fee: 100 yen discount if you present the receipt when entering Sorakuen.

Access: If you want to go directly to Sorakuen Parlor, you can enter from the North Gate. If you enter from the Main Gate, a separate admission fee is required.

Parking: Available, free, 5 spaces (reservations cannot be made)

Official website: https://www.the-sorakuen.jp/cafe/

SNS: Instagram , Facebook