Kobe Christmas Market

Don’t underestimate Kobe. The city puts on a formidable show for the festive season, and this Christmas market at the Nunobiki Herb Gardens is just one part of it.

What happens?

Set 400 metres above the city, the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens host one of Japan’s more atmospheric winter markets.

This year’s theme is “A Castle Christmas”, so the hillside gardens and stone plazas have been done up to look like a quaint, illuminated village overlooking the harbor.

Lining the terrace will be wooden, hut-like stalls vending German ornaments and Advent calendars, along with gifts that center on herbs picked from the garden itself. There’ll be imported mulled wine, hot chocolate, and stews enriched with local mushrooms and beef.

At dusk, the seven-metre tower built from fir branches lights up beside a giant wreath of cypress and red ribbon. Further along the path, a 25-meter metasequoia becomes the park’s main Christmas tree. Take the ropeway for scenic views of the city all lit up in festive finery.

Schedule 2025

The illuminations begin at 4 p.m.

Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with the last ropeway departure at 4:45 p.m.

Night openings run until 9 p.m. (last ropeway departure at 8:15 p.m.) on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, as well as every evening from December 15 to 25.