[Spring Kobe City & Awaji Island Travel Guide] A Springtime Escape Surrounded by Cherry Blossoms and Floral Fragrance

A zoo that keeps and displays Approx. 120 species and 650 animals. It is also well known as one of the few zoos in Japan that keeps koalas.
In spring, Approx. 480 Somei Yoshino cherry trees come into full bloom, and the zoo is also loved as a famous cherry blossom spot. Inside the grounds, wrapped in fully blooming cherry blossoms, you can enjoy spring scenery unique to the season, where the animals and blossoms appear together. During the blooming season, the zoo also usually holds a nighttime cherry blossom walk for three days after regular closing hours.

A Tenmangu shrine standing on the heights of Kitano-zaka, known for its striking vermilion shrine building. It is said to have been founded in the late Heian period and has long been worshipped as a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning.
The shrine grounds are also known as a scenic spot with panoramic views over central Kobe and the port, where the contrast between the sea and city is beautiful on clear days. In spring, cherry blossoms color the area around the shrine building, letting you enjoy Kobe-like scenery and the change of seasons while strolling through the Kitano Ijinkan district.

Castle ruins located on the summit of Mt. Mikuma in eastern Awaji Island, once a base for governing Awaji Province from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. The extensive stone walls and large stone steps still remain today, creating scenery with the impressive scale and openness typical of a mountaintop castle.
Also known as a famous cherry blossom spot, the fully blooming cherry trees set against the stone walls and castle keep are especially beautiful. At the castle ruins, now maintained as a park, you can enjoy a flower-viewing experience unique to Awaji Island, where history and nature come together.

One of Japan's largest herb gardens, located at an elevation of Approx. 400 meters and home to Approx. 75,000 plants of 200 varieties of flowers and herbs blooming throughout the four seasons. Across the mountaintop grounds, colors and fragrances of flowers and herbs come together in scenery that changes with the seasons. The garden features 12 different themed areas, and the views over the port city of Kobe and the sea are also striking.
A walk here in the gentle spring weather lets you enjoy flowers and fragrance up close.

A park developed on the site where the former imperial villa, Muko Rikyu, once stood, featuring a Western-style garden on a hill overlooking Osaka Bay. Seasonal flowers can be enjoyed throughout the year, and in early spring the plum grove begins to show signs of the new season.
At the Royal Rose Garden in the center of the park, Approx. 4,000 rose bushes of 300 varieties reach their peak twice a year, in spring and autumn. In this elegant garden setting, you can enjoy a spring stroll while taking in the colors and subtle fragrance of the flowers.

A Japanese garden in the heart of Kobe, yet surrounded by quiet greenery.
Within this strolling pond garden, designed with waterfalls, streams, and artificial hills, you can enjoy a peaceful walk while experiencing the stillness of a traditional Japanese garden. In spring, Approx. 4,000 azalea shrubs bloom in brilliant color, filling the garden with vibrant hues.
Even in the middle of the city, this is a place where time seems to flow gently with the arrival of spring.

Located in Kobe's Kitano Ijinkan district, Fragrance House Dutch Museum is an interactive Western-style house themed around fragrance and culture.
Making use of a building constructed in the mid-Taisho period, the entire house serves as a single exhibition space, with furnishings that convey European residential culture. The museum also offers an original perfume-making experience, where a skilled blender creates a fragrance tailored to your personality. Located in the Kitano Ijinkan district, it is a fragrant stop worth visiting during a spring stroll.

A national government park spread across two areas, one on the Kobe side and the other on Awaji Island, with the Awaji area known for its open setting facing the sea.
The concept of the Awaji area is "a seaside space for garden enjoyment." Observation areas and flower fields make use of the sloping green landscape, and in spring the colorful floral scenery blends beautifully with the ocean views.
This is a park where you can fully appreciate the expansive scale that feels so characteristic of Awaji Island.

Awaji Yumebutai, spread across northern Awaji Island, is a complex where nature and modern architecture are in harmony, designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando. Adjacent to Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, it forms an area filled with seasonal flowers throughout the year.
The Hyakudanen, a set of 100 flower beds built along the mountainside, and Awaji Greenhouse, one of Japan's largest greenhouses, are recommended spots for beautiful plants and photos.
In a design that makes use of changes in elevation, you can enjoy spectacular scenery where flowers, architecture, and the landscape come together.

A flower park spreading across northern Awaji Island. It is an exceptional viewing spot where you can enjoy both a grand panorama of the Akashi Strait and Osaka Bay and a vibrant carpet of seasonal flowers at the same time. The view from the observation deck in particular is breathtaking.
The open scenery overlooking flower fields and the sea is one of its greatest attractions, and in the mild spring weather, a leisurely stroll while taking in the view feels especially pleasant.

A large-scale participatory festival centered around the Sannomiya area. Usually held on the third Sunday of May, it is a major event featuring a wide variety of programs with strong local participation.
From the Omatsuri Parade through the streets of Sannomiya to performances of music and dance, the whole city is filled with a sense of celebration. It is loved as an annual event that brings spring in Kobe to a festive close.

A Starbucks housed in Kitano Monogatari, an Ijinkan building registered as a Tangible Cultural Property.
The shop occupies Kitano Monogatari, a two-story wooden Western-style house built in 1907. After once being dismantled, it was rebuilt and relocated to its current site in 2000.
Inside, the space makes use of the original fittings and flooring from the time, and each room has its own distinct atmosphere.
Located in the Kitano Ijinkan district, it is also an ideal stop during a spring walk.

A teppanyaki specialty restaurant in Kobe's busy Sannomiya area, centered around Kobe beef.
Its main offerings are course meals centered on officially certified Kobe beef recognized by the Kobe Meat Distribution Promotion Council, along with menu options that pair it with seafood. All seating is at the counter, so diners can enjoy the lively teppanyaki cooking right in front of them. Located in the heart of the sightseeing district, it is also an easy place to stop at after exploring Kobe.

A restaurant offering a menu that makes the most of Awaji Island's seafood and mountain produce.
One standout dish is the Awaji Island beef bowl. It is a carefully crafted beef bowl made with premium special-selection Awaji beef, Awaji onions, and rice produced on Awaji Island. The restaurant also offers Awaji beef steak, seafood dishes, and drinks made with ingredients from the island.
It is a great place to stop after a spring walk around the Sumoto Castle Ruins.

An urban auberge facing Tor Road in the Kitano Ijinkan district. It is also known as the only hotel permitted by legendary French chef Bernard Loiseau to recreate his "world's best breakfast."
The red-brick building houses 30 guest rooms, each with its own distinct character, and all are comfortably appointed in an English-style design. It is also recommended as a convenient base for spring walks around the Kitano Ijinkan district.

A small luxury hotel located in Harborland overlooking Kobe Port, with ocean-view rooms and a terrace in every room. With just 70 rooms, all at least 70 square meters, the hotel offers a spacious stay, and each room is also equipped with a large Jacuzzi bath for a refined experience.
Another plus is how easy it is to use the bay area as a base for visiting other parts of the city.

A luxury hotel located within the resort complex Awaji Yumebutai, designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.
The guest rooms come in a variety of types, including Precious Floor rooms, suites, and luxury view baths, with each room offering its own distinctive character, from ocean views to lush green scenery.
The chance to stay while experiencing both the natural beauty and architecture of Awaji Island is one of the hotel's unique attractions.