This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 14:00 Meet at Port Terminal
- 14:30 Herb Garden (Fragrance Museum, Glass House)
- 16:15 Sannomiya Center Street
- 17:30 Disband at Port Terminal
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 14:00 at Port Terminal and ended at 17:30. The day ran to 3 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Herb Garden (Fragrance Museum, Glass House) at 14:30 and Sannomiya Center Street at 16:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Port Terminal to Sannomiya by train (210JPY); Subway Sannomiya Station by bus (300JPY); Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway by bus (300JPY); Sannomiya to Port Terminal by train (210JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,020JPY per person.
What's a Private Kobe Herb Garden Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests came from Oceania. We first visited the herb garden the guests had requested, but the rain was so heavy that the view from the ropeway was completely white. Even so, at the summit station they thoroughly enjoyed the fragrance museum, checking the scent of each bottle one by one. After that, we walked down to the middle station in the rain. The guests seemed quite interested in flowers and herbs, stopping here and there even in the bad weather, taking photos of flowers and walking slowly. They also spent plenty of time viewing the glass house. Afterward, they said they wanted to do some shopping, so we returned to the Sannomiya Center Gai shopping street and stopped by a shoe shop and a clothing store. I had also wanted to introduce Nankinmachi and the waterfront, but as the guests seemed tired, I saw them off at the port terminal according to their wishes.
A notable stop on the tour was the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden. Located on the slopes of Mount Rokko, it is one of the largest herb gardens in Japan and is accessible by ropeway offering sweeping views of Kobe city and the harbor. The garden features a wide variety of herbs and seasonal flowers, along with greenhouses, a fragrance museum, and themed gardens where visitors can learn about and enjoy the scents and uses of many plants throughout the year.
Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Port Terminal～Sannomiya | 210JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Subway Sannomiya Station / Shinki Bus～Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway / Shinki Bus | 300JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway / Shinki Bus～Subway Sannomiya Station / Shinki Bus | 300JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Sannomiya～Port Terminal | 210JPY |
| Total | 1,020JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Hyogo tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Port Terminal at 14:00, and the tour finished at Port Terminal at 17:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 14:00 to 17:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Herb Garden (Fragrance Museum, Glass House) and Sannomiya Center Street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,020JPY per person across 4 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Nao is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Hyogo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello ! I’m Nao, guiding in Kansai, West Japan. I was born and raised in Himeji, near Himeji castle. I love music, watching movies, and of course taking a trip. I stayed in the US for three years, and took a trip to Hawaii, Canada and Indonesia. Those experiences are good sweet memories for me. Visiting places you don’t know much & touching new cultures are exciting and refreshing.
Wear Kimono in Kyoto, eat Takoyaki in Osaka, feed cute deer in Nara, meet SAMURAI in Himeji (fake one though) and eat Kobe beef and drink Sake in Kobe.
Let’s make good memories together in Japan. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Nao
Apr 12, 2026
Ralf V
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit mit Naoka.
Alles mit Bus und…
Apr 12, 2026
Ralf V
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit mit Naoka.
Alles mit Bus und Bahn. Tolle Erfahrung. Wichtige Sehenswurdigkeiten haben wir in 4
Stunden entspannt erlebt. Gerne wiede
ナオカと一緒に素晴らしい時間を過ごしました。
すべてバスと電車で移動しました。素晴らしい体験でした。主要な観光名所を4時間でゆったりと楽しむことができました。またぜひ参加したいです。
Apr 2, 2026
Sushil_R
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour the Himeji Castle with Nao San. You will enjoy more.
I…
Apr 2, 2026
Sushil_R
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour the Himeji Castle with Nao San. You will enjoy more.
I recommend travelers to take this tour even though the Himeji Castle is a bit of a disappointment since it is a fort or fortress, not really a castle. Regardless, it is worth visiting to understand how the rulers in that era protected themselves from wars and aggressions. What made the tour really valuable was our guide, Nao san. From the day we booked the tour, Nao San was engaged with us asking us our preferences, providing suggestions, and doing whatever she could to make the tour worthwhile. If you are planning to take this tour, I strongly recommend you ask for Nao San to be your guide and you will not be disappointed.
Apr 15, 2025
O
oOoKiyaoOo
Wonderful Family Experience
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had Nao for a guide and…
Apr 15, 2025
O
oOoKiyaoOo
Wonderful Family Experience
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had Nao for a guide and we couldn’t recommend her enough.
Communication and organising our plans were easily managed, and our guide was there waiting at the gates as soon as our train arrived.
Nao was thoughtful, and even brought some origami mementos for our children.
Despite the rainy weather and a few hiccups along the way we had a wonderful day out.
Nov 21, 2024
boyd_s
A great tour!
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The special knowledge shared by our tour guide Noe…
Nov 21, 2024
boyd_s
A great tour!
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The special knowledge shared by our tour guide Noe made the tour extra special. She took
us thru the castle and showed us several spots in the city with spectacular views of Himeji
Castle. Thank you Noe!