Time really flies! It’s already December and 2025 is just around the corner. It’s getting colder day by day in Kobe and especially the temperature here on Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya is about 5 degrees lower than that in downtown Kobe. Thanks to this temperature gap, the air in the Mt. Rokko and Maya area is very fresh, making the night views from both mountains incredibly clear and beautiful. As the winter season is now in full swing, it’s definitely the best time to check out a variety of seasonal fun information related to Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya such as Christmas, year-end and new year events. Why not make plans with your friends and family members and visit the mountains together? Also, make sure to confirm public transportation schedules around the year-end and the new year before heading to the destinations.
＊＊Christmas Events＊＊
▼Christmas Time in ROKKO MORINONE MUSEUM
【30th Anniversary MORINONE WONDER CHRISTMAS 2024】
Period: until December 25th (Wed.)
The concert hall was gorgeously decorated with illuminated LED candles and a beautiful Christmas tree with German ornaments. This entire atmosphere in the hall will make you feel romantic. Sit back, relax and indulge in Christmas songs performed by mechanical musical instruments. The concert is held every day until December 25th.
Source: Kobe / Mt. Rokko official outing site
https://www.rokkosan.com/top/season_event/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%99%e3%83%b3%e3%83%88/20479/?lang=en
【Christmas Stamp Collecting Event “Find the Santa Clause!”】
Collect stamps and complete the original Christmas card while finding the Santa Clause who is hiding in the museum!
Period: until December 25th (Wed.)
Fee for the event: Free (Admission fee is needed.)
Source: Kobe / Mt. Rokko official outing site
【MORINONE CHRISTMAS NIGHT CONCERT 2024】
Make your special Christmas night even more special! Relish their signature Christmas dinner from the nearby restaurant “Mori no Café” while enjoying the MORINONE Christmas concert performed by mechanical musical instruments at the museum.
Date: December 21st (Sat.) and 22nd (Sun.), 2024 (*Reservation in required)
Detailed info: https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02d39hzcany31.html (Japanese)
Source: Kobe / Mt. Rokko official outing site
https://www.rokkosan.com/top/season_event/%e3%82%a4%e3%83%99%e3%83%b3%e3%83%88/18489/?lang=en
▼Christmas Time in Rokko Silence Resort
【Christmas service at the cafeteria】
Rokko Silence Resort proudly offers Christmas special lunch and afternoon tea services.
The Santa Clause will visit your room to meet you if you book the private room for a party!
Period: until December 25th (Wed.) *Reservation is required.
https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/rokkosansilence-resort-cafeteria/reserve?menu_items[]=670ba263576d38c2cdef9176
Source: ROKKOSAN SILENCE RESORT
https://rokkosansilence-resort.com/ (Japanese)
【Christmas Time at the Sky Dining】
Savor a gorgeous Christmas dinner with a spectacular night view!
Period: December 20th (Fri.) – 25th (Wed.) *Reservation is required.
https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/rokkosansilence-resort-grill/reserve?menu_items[]=670babd73510e009669b2ca8 (Japanese)
Source: ROKKOSAN SILENCE RESORT
https://rokkosansilence-resort.com/2024xmas/sora_2024xmas.html (Japanese)
▼Rokko Garden Terrace
【Christmas Dinner at Rokko Garden Terrace】
After the dinner, please accept a special Christmas gift selected by the staff members.
https://www.osaeru.net/reserve/index.php?id=5961&plannum=114700603&listdate=&view=plan (Japanese)
Date: December 24th (Tue.), 25th (Wed.) *Reservation is required.
Place: Granite Café
Source: Kobe / Mt. Rokko official outing site
https://www.rokkosan.com/top/eat/granitecafe/?lang=en
◇ Rokko Shidare Observatory
【Christmas Special Opening Hours】
Date: December 24th (Tue.), 25th (Wed.)
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 8 pm (Last admission: 7:30 pm)
＊＊＊Yead-end & New Year Information＊＊＊
▼Mayasan Tenjoji Temple (Mt. Maya)
【Nenmatsumoude (Traditional Year-end temple visit)】
Joya Shingyoue (Year-end gathering for the Buddhist Sutra chanting)
Opening hours:
9 am ~ 5 pm on December 31st, 10 pm (22:00) ~ 2 am (26:00) on January 1st, 2025
Event schedules and venues:
Joya no Kane 11:30 pm (23:00) ~ at the precinct
Joya Shingyoue 0 am (24:00) ~ at the Kondo main hall
http://653daigaku.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024jyoya-1.pdf (Japanese)
【Hatsumoude (New year’s prayer)】
Date: January 1st (Wed. National holiday), 2nd (Thu.), 3rd (Fri.), 2025
Traditional Japanese hot ginger tea called Ameyu will be served from January 1st to the 3rd.
http://653daigaku.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024jyoya-1.pdf (Japanese)
▼Rokko Garden Terrace
【Opening hours for Year-end and New year period】
https://www.rokkosan.com/gt/operation/?lang=en
<December 31st (Tue.)>
Opening hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm (Last admission 5:30 pm)
<January 1st, 2025 (wed. / National holiday)>
Opening hours: 5:30 am – 8:30 am (Last admission 8 am)
▼Rokko View Palace
Opening hours: 10 pm (December 31st) – 9 am (January 1st, 2025)
Hot items such as steamed pork buns and pork and veggie miso soup are ready to be served.
*Only a to-go menu is available
▼Rokko Garden Terrace Parking Lot
【Opening hours and parking fees】
Regular day: 1,000 yen
Year-end and New Year day: 2,000yen
*10 pm (December 31st) – 9 am (January 1st, 2025) (last admission: 8:30 am)
Come and visit Mt. Rokko to experience the first sunrise of the year, 2025!
▼Rokko Cable Car (New Year’s schedule)
【January 1st, 2025 (Wed. / National holiday)】
6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 6:45, 7:10, 7:25, 7:40 am
8:00 am – 9:10 pm (Regular schedule)
【After January 2st, 2025 (Thu)】
7:10 am (first train) – 9:10 pm (last train) (Regular schedule)
*Rokko Sanjo Bus bound for Rokko Garden Terrace is out of service during the late night and early morning hours.
■ TENRANDAI (Mt. Rokko)
The TENRANDAI is open to the public at 6 am on January 1st, 2025 (Wed. / National holiday)
*TENRAN CAFÉ ended its service in March 2024.
▼Maya Viewline (New Year’s schedule)
Maya Cable Car: The first car departs at 6 am.
Maya Ropeway: The first car departs at 6:10 am.
*Both the cable car and the ropeway are expected to be very crowded from 6 am to sunrise on January 1st.
*As the temperature on the mountaintop could be unexpectedly cold, please make sure you wear something warm.
◇Important Notice◇
▼Rokko Cable Car (Temporary Suspension)
As the operation of the Rokko Cable Car is scheduled to be suspended due to the facility renovation, please use the bus / taxi replacement service between Rokko Cable Shita Station and Rokko Sanjo Station.
Period: January 6th (Mon.) – April 12 (Sat.)
*The schedule might change depending on the renovation.
