Herbal breeze from Kobe

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is located on the slopes of the mountain right behind Shin-Kobe station. The city of Kobe stretches long east and west lying narrow between the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and the Rokko mountains.  Therefore the city is full of slopes: some are moderate, some are so steep.  The north side of the staion is full of lush green as an entrance to hiking and treckking courses to the mountains. 

Glasshouses of the Gardens, Port Island, and bay area seen from the gondola

Visitors go up there either by ropeway or on foot via Nunobiki Falls.  I had only limited time, so I got on a lovely red gondola called Yume-fusen (dream balloon), which took me to the top of the Gardens in only ten minutes instead of an hour walk.  

Here you are at the top of the Gardens.  The bronze statue of a girl titled “Arigato (Thank you)” was presented by a Salvadoran sculptor as a token of gratitude for the support by Kobe for its 2001 earthquake.   




Some flowering herbs: clockwise from left top, dill (イノンド),  purple loosestripe (エゾミソハギ）,
clary sage (オニサルビア), and wall germander (ニガクサ)

 

Nunobiki Herb Gardens consists of 14 gardens and woody paths in 40-acre including open air herb museum, lavender garden, four-season garden, lily garden, kitchen garden, oriental garden. and so on.  There are over 75,000 herbs in 200 varieties.



This is a view my camera caught  through plants.  A man-made island, Port Island, is connected with the mainland by the red Port Island Bridge.

 


the largest square: fuchsia (フクシア)
 beside the largest square: spathiphyllum (スパティフィラム) and bougainvillea



There are a cafe,  spice factory, exhibition of life with herbs, greenhouses, etc., in the four glasshouses.  

This statue of mother and child is titled "愛 (Love)" which was presented by Italian city, Terni.

Along the shady paths, hydrangeas were at their best due to cooler temperature on the higher grounds.  Probably these are the most beautiful blue hydrangeas I've seen recently.  I'm amazed with their "pristine blue".

some of other numerous flowers in bloom and berries



Beyond Port Island, faintly visible, is Kobe Airport.



Kaze-no-oka (hill of wind) stop of the ropeway is near.  Do you understand that the slopes are rather steep?  I enjoyed not only the fragrance of herbs, lovely flowers, and greens but also a bit hazy view of Kobe under the overcast and cool air on my skin. 

I left Kobe when I was 25-year-old.  I have lived in Nara more than those years while visiting Kobe occasionally.  After the Great Hanshin Earthquake, some familiar scenes have gone, still I do love this city including its transformation, its core quality, and its rich history. 

I love both Nara and Kobe.  If I had to choose one....maybe in my later years, oh it's a tough choice.

神戸布引ハーブ園　(here in Japanese)

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