Top 5 Must-Visit Spots for Japan’s Spring Cherry Blossoms – Don’t Miss the Kobe Beef Museum for Foodies

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family, compiled and reported
 
As the weather gradually warms up, it’s once again the vibrant cherry blossom season of spring. This year, cherry blossoms in Japan have bloomed earlier than usual. According to the Japan Cherry Blossom Front forecast, the blossoms in Kobe City will reach full bloom on April 5, with the best viewing period from April 4 to April 11.

During the short cherry blossom season, seeing the trees in full bloom is a rare and fleeting experience. For travelers planning to visit Kobe soon, we recommend checking out these 5 hidden cherry blossom spots in Kobe to enjoy a dreamy time surrounded by delicate pink blooms.

Ikuta River Park
Located in front of JR Shin-Kobe Station, Ikuta River Park is a famous cherry blossom spot in Kobe. About 150 cherry blossom trees line the Ikuta River, and as you step out of Shin-Kobe Station, you’ll be greeted by a row of pink blossoms welcoming visitors to Kobe. This year, the “Ikuta River Cherry Blossom Festival” will be held on March 30, featuring stalls and stage performances for a lively celebration.

◎ Address: 2 Chome-7 Kumanai Bashi Dori, Chuo Ward, Kobe
◎ Admission: Free
◎ Cherry Blossom Festival Hours: March 30, 2019, 10:00–15:00

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway
If you’d like to enjoy cherry blossoms while escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, head to the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden next to JR Shin-Kobe Station. Japan’s largest herb garden features about 75,000 plants of 200 different herbs and flowering species. The ropeway ride to the top of the garden takes just about 10 minutes, offering views of the mountain’s cherry blossoms and a panoramic vista of Kobe City. Additionally, during the cherry blossom season on weekends, the scenic “Wind Hill Lawn” offers the “Mountain Cherry Café 2019” event. Here, you can enjoy specially made herb tea and sweets while admiring the pink mountain blossoms, along with handicraft markets, hands-on experiences, and live music.

◎ Address: 1-4-3 Kitanocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe
◎ Admission: Round-trip ropeway ticket 1,500 yen, one-way ropeway ticket 950 yen
◎ Operating Hours: [Spring: March 20 – July 19] 10:00–17:00
◎ Mountain Cherry Café Event Hours: April 6 (Sat), April 7 (Sun), April 13 (Sat), April 14 (Sun) 11:00–15:00