Kobe in Summer

Kobe may be hot and sticky in summer, but visitors and locals alike can draw on its famous mountains and sea to help ward off the heat. Check out Suma Beach, less than 15 minutes by train from Sannomiya, for a family-friendly day or evening on 1.5km of sand, featuring dining, bars, showers and anything else beachgoers could want. Right next to Suma Beach is another Kobe institution, the well-loved Suma Aqualife Park, which opened back in 1957! It has its own convenient JR station minutes away and enough fish, dolphins, seals and live animal performances to keep young and old alike enthralled.

To really cool down, why not take the Rokko Cable up to Mount Rokko, bus it to Rokko Country House and enjoy 100 tons of artificial snow at the Midsummer Snow Festival, which runs from mid-July to the end of August and also offers treasure-hunting games, somen noodles and barbecue facilities!

Remaining on the mountain theme, visitors wishing to enjoy the Nunobiki Herb Garden from daytime until dusk will enjoy the extended cable car opening hours for these attractions, with the last train departing around 8:30 pm. Why not check out the herb garden for a relaxing after-work beer and German sausage – a real European experience in the Kobe mountains?

Suma Beach

A must in summer, this 1.5km stretch of golden sand in western Kobe couldn’t be more accessible, with two JR stations in the vicinity. Dining, sunbathing and swimming can all be enjoyed, with showers and toilets available for your convenience. The kids will also love the neighbouring Suma Aqualife Park, featuring wide-ranging marine life and live animal shows.