![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6378.jpg\")
\nMarch here in Japan is known as the period when the scent of spring hangs in the air. During this period, many people are busy preparing for a new chapter in their lives, while many of them are recharging their batteries for the next season and reminiscing about the past year.
\n<\/span>March-April is absolutely the best season for enjoying Kobe\u2019s colorful mountain scenery while trekking under the warm sunlight.
\n<\/span>Today, we will show you our recommended trekking route, scenic spots and more!<\/span>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6448.jpg\")
\nSumaura Koen Station is the closest station to the starting point of the trekking route. This route is very popular among a wide variety of local hikers and is a great solo or group activity for families and friends. Everybody from beginners to professionals use this route.
\n<\/span>Apart from trekking, the Sumaura Ropeway service is also a great option for appreciating a spectacular view from the mountain top. The ropeway takes you to the mountaintop area in just a couple of minutes.<\/span>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6240.jpg\")
\nThis very spring-ish trekking route is also designated as the first part of \u201cKOBE Rokko Mountain Traverse Race\u201d (one of the most famous mountain traverse competitions in the Kansai area).
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6243.jpg\")
\nThe Sumaura Koen Park area is regarded as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Kobe.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6247.jpg\")
\nCherry trees are dotted all over the park and countless numbers of cherry tree buds are starting to swell, waiting for the best time to bloom in April.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6249.jpg\")
\nThe stairway on the right side of the photo shown above is the \u201cchikamichi\u201d shortcut to the mountain path. *As a side note, chikamichi means shortcut in Japanese.
\nHowever this time, we won\u2019t take the shortcut and take a detour to the park area and explore it.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6251.jpg\")
\nA geographical feature of KOBE is the very short distance between the sea and the mountain as shown in the photos. The Seto Inland Sea beautifully spreads right before the Suma area and it looks close enough as if we could dive to the sea from the mountain.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6264.jpg\")
\nThe very Kobe-ish view \u201cSumaura Koen Park\u201d
\nNow, the trek begins!
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6273.jpg\")
\nA long stairway might make you feel a little nervous, but actually the stairs are well-paved and easy to walk on.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6277.jpg\")
\nAs resting areas are arranged throughout the route, hikers can progress at their own pace.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6286.jpg\")
\nVivid red Camellia flowers welcome and encourage hikers, making them feel the seasonal transition from winter to spring.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6283.jpg\")
\nThis is an incredibly heartwarming photo of an elderly couple.
\nThey are advanced hikers, and they came to the Suma area to warm up for their Japan Alps trek this summer.
\nThe best part of trekking is that everyone from children to elderly can safely enjoy it together at their own pace based on their skills and experiences.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6296.jpg\")
\nAfter about 30 minutes, we arrived at the Ropeway Station.
\nThe tiny yet beautiful rose-pink plum flowers welcome visitors.
\nhttps:\/\/www.sumaura-yuen.jp\/en\/<\/a> (English)
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6302.jpg\")
\nEast Observation Desk
\nA wonderfully panoramic view of Kobe stretches out before you.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6303.jpg\")
\nIn the cherry blossom viewing season (the beginning of April), amazingly pink-colored cherry blossoms will spread all over the area, mesmerizing all visitors. Furthermore, the contrast between \u201cpink\u201d from the cherry blossoms, \u201cblue\u201d from the sky and the sea, and \u201cwhite\u201d from clouds is indescribably and unforgettably beautiful. Don\u2019t miss out!
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6313.jpg\")
\nThe Rokko Mountains can be seen clearly from the Hachibuse Yama mountain which is the starting area of the \u201cRokko Mountain Traverse\u201d route.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6428.jpg\")
\nA park is situated on the top of Mt. Hachibuse and many hikers including children often swing by, taking a rest on benches and playing with playground equipment.
\nThis park also offers a BBQ service. (*reservation required.)
\nhttps:\/\/www.sumaura-yuen.jp\/facilities\/eat\/<\/a> (Japanese)
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6423.jpg\")
\n\u201cWe wanted to find a place where we can enjoy chatting, cooking and eating under the sky. So, this park is definitely our best choice.\u201d
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6326.jpg\")
\nThe mountain next to Mt. Hachibuse through the \u201cRokko Mountain Traverse\u201d is Hatafuri Yama Mountain (Mt. Hatafuri). Mt. Hatafuri is only a 10-minute walk away from Mt. Hachibuse.
\nHachibuse Jaya Caf\u00e9 (the photo shown above) is located on the top of Mt. Hatafuri. It\u2019s open on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays and a lot of hikers stop by and rest while enjoying a breathtaking view from the caf\u00e9.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6434.jpg\")
\nPick your favorite from their menu and refresh yourself.
\nAmazake (hot and sweet fermented alcoholic rice drink) 500 yen (tax included \/ winter-time limited)
\nSata andagi (Okinawan doughnuts) 500 yen (tax included)
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6336-1.jpg\")
\nRight next to Hatafuri Jaya, the signboard for the district borders can be found. And on the right side of the signboard, there is a mountain path to the Sumaura Sanjo Yuen Park\u2019s plum groves.
\n
\nThe status of the plum flowers bloom is just about 20% (As of March 15th)
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/1b6e5e64840d06c886bc59f3ffe91b31.jpg\")
\nAs the temperature rises, plum blossoms will be in full bloom by mid-April.
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6364.jpg\")
\nSpring is just right around the corner. Why not go to the Suma area to enjoy trekking while experiencing comfortable spring vibes with very appealing Kobe-ish views from the mountain.<\/p>\n
Check out the best cherry blossom viewing season\u2193 There are three Kobe Hiking Support Shops on this route as follows; March here in Japan is known as the period when the scent of spring hangs in the air. During this period, many people are busy preparing for a new chapter in their lives, while many of them are recharging their\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6675,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6646"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6659,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6646\/revisions\/6659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\uff08*Sumaura Koen Park area: the end of March \u2013 mid-April\uff09
\nhttps:\/\/weathernews.jp\/sakura\/spot\/327\/<\/a> (Japanese)<\/p>\n
\n1: Sumaura Sanjo Yuen Park \/ Sumaura Shop
\nhttps:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/supportshop\/4985\/<\/a> (English)
\n2: Sumaura Sanjo Yuen Park \/ Rotating Observation Tower
\nhttps:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/supportshop\/5415\/<\/a> (English)
\n3: Hatafuri Jaya Caf\u00e9
\nhttps:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/supportshop\/5144\/<\/a> (English)
\nCheck out the list of the Kobe Hiking Support Shops\u2193
\nhttps:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/en\/supportshop\/<\/a> (English)
\nKobe Hiking Support Shops welcome hikers, providing facilities such as restrooms and resting areas.
\nMany shops also have special offers.
\nWhether you need to stock up on food and drinks before your hike or just want to relax after, feel free to stop by.
\nLook for the sticker or the banner in the picture below.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kobe-rokko.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/f81fd2e4c52864042852c112ce927ae2.png\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"