Rokko Garden Terrace

The Rokko Garden Terrace is a mountaintop viewing and leisure complex near the summit of Mount Rokko, the green range that rises steeply behind Kobe, and it is celebrated above all for its spectacular panoramic views, particularly the night view that Japanese visitors famously describe as worth ten million dollars. Perched high above the city at around 880 metres, the terrace offers one of the great vantage points of the Kansai region, taking in Kobe, the harbour, Osaka Bay and, on clear days, the distant cities of Osaka and beyond.

Mount Rokko has long been a mountain resort and escape for the people of Kobe and Osaka, cooler in summer and offering a string of attractions along its ridge. The Garden Terrace is its scenic centrepiece, a cluster of viewing decks, restaurants, cafes and shops built in a European alpine-resort style, arranged so that visitors can take in the view while dining, shopping for souvenirs, or simply standing at the railings. Several distinct viewpoints are scattered around the complex, including open terraces and a striking modern observatory called the Mount Rokko Shidare Observatory, an artistic lattice dome woven from Japanese cypress that frames the sky and the view in an unusual way.

The daytime panorama is magnificent, sweeping across the sprawl of the Hanshin conurbation to the glittering water of Osaka Bay and the mountains beyond, but it is after dark that the terrace earns its fame. As dusk falls, the cities below light up into a vast carpet of glittering lights stretching to the horizon, and the view is regularly ranked among the top three night views in Japan. Couples in particular flock here for the romantic atmosphere, and the terrace stays open into the evening, especially on summer weekends, to let visitors enjoy the illuminated cityscape.

Reaching the terrace is an outing in itself and part of the fun. From the foot of the mountain the historic Rokko Cable Car climbs steeply to the summit area, and buses connect the cable car station to the Garden Terrace and the mountain's other attractions, which include an alpine botanical garden, a musical-box museum and, in season, snow activities. The journey combines train, cable car and mountain bus, so allow time and check the timetables, particularly for the last services down in the evening.

Beyond the views, the mountaintop offers cool, fresh air and pleasant walking, a welcome escape from the summer heat of the city, and the maples add autumn colour to the scene in November. Entry to the terrace itself is free, with costs coming from the transport and any dining. For visitors willing to make the journey up the mountain, the Rokko Garden Terrace delivers one of the most memorable views in western Japan, and its night panorama is an experience that lingers long after the trip down.