Located in the Suma district of Kobe city, Sumaurasanjō Yūen is a park spread over two mountaintops, Mt. Hachibuse and Mt. Hatafuri. Here you have the chance to enjoy views of both the sea and mountains.

Accessing the park is easy. From Sanyō Electric Railway’s Sumaura Koen train station you can reach the mountaintop area in about 3 minutes via the Sumaura Ropeway.

Views from the ropeway gondola are simply beautiful.  Below you can see Suma Umizuri Park (Suma Marine Fishing Park) among others views.

After arriving at the mountaintop ropeway station, you can hop on the Carlator (vehicle). After climbing a nearly 90-meter high slope, you’ll arrive at the cylinder-shaped Kaiten Tenbō Kaku (Rotating Observatory).

As there is also a hiking course right beside the Carlator’s route, you can also choose to take a relaxed stroll up to the observation deck.

Cafe Cosmos, which is located on the 3rd floor of the building, slowly rotates 360 degrees; one cycle takes around 45 minutes.

The rooftop observation deck offers a great view.

In the east, you have a panoramic view of Kobe city and Ōsaka Bay.

By the way, at the bottom right corner of the photo below, you can see the covered slope under which the Carlator runs.

And in the west, you can see Awaji Island and Akashi Kaikyō Bridge.

As the observation deck is cylinder shaped, you can enjoy a full panoramic 360-degree view. There is also a (coin operated) telescope available on the deck. When the weather conditions are right, apparently you can see all the way to Kobe airport, as well as to Kansai airport.

While sipping your coffee at Café Cosmos, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Akashi Straits, the Kitan Straits coastline, as well as the Rokkō mountains, among other views.

In addition, you can enjoy a ‘mid-air walk’ by taking the sightseeing lift from Mt. Hachibuse (where the rotating observatory deck is located) to neighboring Mt. Hatafuri.

The lift’s station names are unique, as well: Settsu station and Harima station.

They’re taken from the names of the old provinces of “Settsu” (now the eastern part of Hyōgo prefecture) and “Harima” (now the southwestern part of Hyōgo prefecture), the border of which used to be drawn right between the two stations.

Next to the lift, within the woods, there is a path that goes along the ridge all the way to Mt. Hatafuri.

We recommend taking the lift on your way to Mt. Hatafuri, and enjoying some leisurely forest bathing on the walk back.

Near Harima station, the last stop on Mt. Hatafuri, there is an area full of playground facilities such as the Cycle Monorail, the Mini-car Land, and the Kiddy Square. At the far end, you can find Funsui Land (Fountain Land).

Right behind this fountain you can catch a view of Awaji Island and Akashi Kaikyō Bridge. It’s one of the area’s most scenic viewpoints.

Next to the fountain, there is also a BBQ terrace (available upon reservation), so you can enjoy a delicious meal at the best seats along an exquisite view of the sea.

On the right side in the photo below, you can see the BBQ terrace, and the podium with the tables.

Sumaurasanjō Yuen, a place where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Awaji Island and the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge.

How about riding the ropeway, hopping on the lift, and enjoying a mid-air walk with splendid sea views?

Address: 5-3-2 Ichinotani-chō, Suma-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyōgo

Website (Japanese): http://www.sumaura-yuen.jp/

Admission: Adults (13-year-olds and up)

– Sumaura Ropeway: One-way 350 yen, Round-trip 700 yen

– Carlator: One-way 200 yen, Round-trip 300 yen

– Entrance fee to the Observatory’s 3rd floor: 100 yen

– Sightseeing lift: One-way 300 yen, Round-trip 600 yen

*If you ride the ropeway, the Carlator and the Sightseeing lift, as well as visit the Observation building, purchasing round-trip coupon tickets saves money.

Setouchi Finder Photo-writer: Hironobu Matsuoka