2024年12月24日

Rokkosan Year End and New Years

Celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day on Rokkosan and Mayasan

Wow, so hard to  believe that 2024 is almost over! While the temperatures have finally dropped, Rokkosan and Mayasan are iconic destinations to ring out the old and welcome in the New Year! Both offer stunning views, unique activities, and special celebrations. Here’s what you can look forward to as you make the transition from 2024 to 2025 on the mountaintop.

New Year’s Eve Events: December 31, 2024

To wrap things up, here are a few places to visit as you remember all of the wonderful memories of 2024. 

Mayasan Tenjoji Temple will be holding a Joya Shingyo-e (New Year’s Eve Ceremony) where you can participate in the traditional bell-ringing ceremony from 11:30 PM. This will be followed by the Heart Sutra ceremony at midnight to usher in the New Year.

At Rokko View Palace they will have special overnight operating hours from 10:00 PM on December 31, 2024, to 9:00 AM on January 1, 2025. They will also have special food to warm yourself with hearty menu items like steamed pork buns and pork and veggie miso soup, available for takeout.

 

The Rokko Garden Terrace Parking Lot will also be open from 10:00 PM on December 31 to 9:00 AM on January 1. Please note there will be a special parking fee of  ¥2,000 during the New Year period. Arrive early to secure your spot.

New Year’s Day: January 1, 2025

The Rokko Cable Car will offer an Early Morning Service with special early morning operations for those wishing to witness the first sunrise of the year. The first departure will be from 6:00 AM from Rokko Cable Shita Station. Then the departures will continue every 15-20 minutes until 7:40 AM and then regular service will resume after 8:00 AM.

 

Please note the Rokko Cable Car will suspend operations for maintenance from January 6 to April 12, 2025. During this time, bus replacement services will be available between Rokko Cable Shita Station and Rokko Sanjo Station. So this special year end and new year’s service is one of the last times you can enjoy the cable for a few months!

The Tenrandai will also have an early morning opening from 6:00 AM. The observation area will welcome visitors to take in the breathtaking first sunrise of the year.

The Rokko Garden Terrace New Year’s Morning Parking will also have special early morning access from 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM (last admission at 8:00 AM). Here one can celebrate the New Year with unforgettable views and a serene mountaintop atmosphere.

Also the Maya View Line New Year’s Early Morning Service will be available for those wishing to witness the first sunrise of the year from Mayasan. The first departure will be from 6:00 AM from Maya Cable station. The first Maya Ropeway will start from 6:10 AM

So celebrate the start of 2025 surrounded by natural beauty, crisp mountain air, and the peaceful ambiance of Rokkosan and Mayasan. Don’t miss the chance to create lasting memories and experience the magic of the first sunrise over Kobe. 

Also remember the temperatures on the mountains, especially at night and early in the morning, are quite colder than in the city, so dress warm and make sure to also have comfortable and warm shoes as well. 

Details for these events can be found (In Japanese): https://kobe-rokko.jp/events/6818/

See you on Rokkosan!