“Facility introduction”, “Guide tour”, “HighKing trail” is translated into English.
“Facility introduction”, “Guide tour”, “HighKing trail” is translated into English.
The Mt. Rokko Visitor Center is located around the central part of the Rokko mountain range, at the point where the Nishi-Rokko, Ura-Rokko, Sunset, and Sunrise driveways branch off. This facility conveys the charms of Mt. Rokko to visitors of the Mt. Rokko area of Setonaikai National Park. There, you can learn about the history, development, nature, plants, and animals of the mountains through panels and videos. It can also be used as a place for training and resting.
First established in July 1975, it was originally known as Mt. Rokko Nature Conservation Center, and, in April 2018, it reopened as Mt. Rokko Visitor Center.
The Observation Terrace overlooks the city of Kobe and Kobe Airport, providing a spectacular view for you to enjoy. The park has a monument to honor the Englishman Arthur Hesketh Groom, who made significant contributions to the development of Mt. Rokko, as well as gazebos and pergolas where hikers can take a break and rest. We eagerly await your visit.
The Mt. Rokko Visitor Center has a Lecture Room which can be used free of charge to support the lifelong learning of the citizens of the prefecture on topics such as environmental studies, so please do not hesitate to make use of it.
| Season | Period | Lecture Room Opening Hours |
| Spring, Autumn & Summer | 4/1～11/30 | 10:00～14:30 * Sat., Sun., & Holidays 10:30〜15:30 |
| Winter | 12/1～3/31 | 10:00～14:30 * Only available on Fri., Sat., Sun., and & Holidays |
A reservation is required to use the Lecture Room. Please call us first, then fill in the application form and send it by fax or mail by 7 days before you intend to use the room.
* Please note that the application period varies depending on the date of use.
If there is a possibility that any of the following is applicable,
please note that you may not be able to use the venue.
5-1-32, Futaba-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe 653-0042
Hyogo Pref. Kobe District Administration center
TEL : 078-647-9096 / FAX：078-642-1018
The Nature Experience Theater was born in the spring of 2020 at the Mt. Rokko Visitor Center. The theater allows you to learn about the history of Mt. Rokko and the lush nature found therein with 270-degree VR (Virtual Reality) videos and images.
You can rediscover the charms of Mt. Rokko with this monumental virtual tour. Through it, you can experience the most attractive features of each of the four seasons of the vast Rokko mountain range, which spans approximately 30 km from east to west.
A government-designated place of scenic beauty, this historical zone houses Futatabi Park, which is known for having the best autumn foliage in the Rokko mountain range, as well as a cemetery that serves as the resting place of foreigners who lived in Kobe and contributed to the development of Japan.
Located in this zone is one of Japan’s three most significant waterfalls, the Nunobiki Falls, which itself consists of four waterfalls: Mentaki, Tsutsumigadaki, Meotodaki, and Ontaki.
This viewing and cultural zone features a 10-million-dollar night view from Kikuseidai Observation Platform as well as various natural treasures such as Sudajii (Castanopsis sieboldii) and the Akagashi (Quercus acuta) grove.
You can enjoy the most popular mountain climbing trail on Mt. Rokko, where you can take pleasure in the nature of Mt. Rokko and its rugged terrain.
You can enjoy the mountain climbing trail of scaling Rokkōsan-Saikōhō, Mt. Rokko’s highest peak. You can also see the cityscape from the visitor center.
Here, we introduce the origins of Mt. Rokko, its flora and fauna, as well as the highlights of the four zones that make up the Grand Design of Mt. Rokko.
A popular trail that descends from Higashi Otafuku-yama, where the largest grassland in the Rokko mountains is located, to reach Arima Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous hot springs, via Mt. Rokko's highest peak.
A popular hiking trail that includes the Suma Alps, the starting point of the entire Mt. Rokko traverse and a place that provides a scenic view of steep rock formations called “uma-no-se (horse’s back)”. The trail also lets you take pleasure in numerous breathtaking views such as the cityscape of Kobe.
Located under the Kinenhidai (Memorial Monument), the Mt. Rokko Guide House opened in April 2005 as an annex of the Prefectural Mt. Rokko Nature Conservation Center (currently the Mt. Rokko Visitor Center).
At the Guide House, information on Mt. Rokko is disseminated through various means such as information boards that introduce the main hiking trails of Mt. Rokko, videos that introduce the attractions of the mountain, personal computers that have been installed for viewing, and photo panel exhibitions. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, nature observation tours are held by volunteers called "mountain guides". We eagerly await your visit.
We also take environmentally friendly initiatives such as using prefectural timber and introducing a mechanism that makes use of warm air in the attic to reduce the need for cooling.
Stuffed specimens of mammals that live on Mt. Rokko, models of sand/flood control dams, and panels introducing the history, nature, and creatures of Mt. Rokko are permanently exhibited. There also are special exhibitions on various themes.
In winter, we use eco-friendly pellet stoves.
Please feel free to use this bright room with tables and chairs to rest. You can eat and drink here in winter. Hot water is available. There are books on Mt. Rokko, hiking guidebooks, illustrated encyclopedias of animals, and plants for you to enjoy.
This observation deck is on the south of the Visitor Center. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view that includes Awaji island, Kansai International Airport, and Kobe Airport. There are tables and chairs where you can eat or take a rest.
The park is a lawn with a large gazebo, a pergola, tables, and benches where you can eat or take a rest.
The “monument to the founder of Rokko” was built in 1912 to commemorate the achievements of Mr. Groom, who founded the base of Mt. Rokko. His achievements include afforestation, soil-erosion control, and road repair at his own expense. The current monument was reconstructed once in 1955.
Since 1982, the “Rokkosan Groom Festival” has been held in tribute to Mr. Groom, who loved Mt. Rokko. The festival also is an opening of the summer mountain season in recent years. This bust was built in 1993 as a monument that represents Mr. Groom’s achievements being handed down to future generations.
Mr. Groom built a cottage named 101 (hyaku-ichi), his first holiday house, on the bank of Mikoku pond. He was called the “master of 101 (hyaku-ichi)” as 101 was the number of his trade house. This is a replica of the stone mark placed on the premise.
Feel free to use the bicycle stands on the premises. Bicycle repair kits and pumps are available for free use at the Guide House.