Kobe Features the Best Glass Garden House Ever, and a lot more!

Shin-Kobe Ropeway

Admission Fee: 1400 JPY (~14 USD), admission to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and round-trip Ropeway

Real Glass — The real Glass House overlooking the city of Kobe.

Most people I know are afraid of heights. As for me, I could feel my knees knocking non-stop, my heart pounding loudly, and getting dizzy but to overcome this fear, I face it by riding cable cars, walking on glass floors of bridges located at a high floor (like the one in Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or in my old company where I worked in Vietnam), riding roller coasters or Ferris wheels, and by simply just looking down from a tall building. Oh, I also did skydiving once and I loved it!

Model Glass — The Glass House model in the rest house of the Nunobiki Herb Garden.

Anyway, I used to stay on the 31st floor in Singapore and I would always try to stare down from the balcony and imagine myself to be on a Bungee-jumping board asking myself “can I do this? can I do this?” But really, bungee-jumping and scuba diving are the last in my list.

Model Glass 2 — The model features the entire garden from where the cable car starts and ends.

Why did I mention all these about heights and fear? It is not that the Shin-Kobe Ropeway was really way up high from the grounds but cable cars just reminded me of my sister when we went to Lantau Island in Hong Kong. She was so terrified of her first-ever cable car ride that she cried during the journey. I was surprised because it did not happen to me but people react to heights differently. Now I know that she may have that fear that I choose to sometimes face.

Rest House — The rest house at Nunobiki Herb Garden.

Unlike the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway (which could carry as much as 101 mostly standing people) during our Mount Fuji tour, the Shin-Kobe Ropeway could only carry 6-8 people in the car and everyone could sit down or switch places to enjoy the view of the city and the gardens below. The ropeway ascends the slopes of the Rokko Mountain chain.

Statue — This statue has been faithfully watching over the city of Kobe.

The uniqueness of this ropeway lies on the view under the car while you are riding it. Most cable cars are just mere transport from base to the top, some with the view of waterfalls or of the city below. But additional attractions to the Shin-Kobe Ropeway are the beautiful gardens (must be prettier during summer and autumn) and the Glass House in the middle of the journey.

At the end of the ride is the rest house or I may say the visitors center where herbal products are also sold. The miniature of the whole garden, the Glass House, and cable car route is also displayed by the entrance of the rest house. And how detailed they constructed the model for the Glass House, very skillful!

The model is also sort of interactive as one can press a button and a lighted path will show how one can take a trek instead of the cable car. Another button was also there to show a shortcut to the Glass House from the rest house and it said it was just a 5-minute walk. Great, we can opt for this.

Walk — That’s the glass house and it is just a 5-minute walk through a shortcut in the mountain.

We spent a little time there in the rest house while the skies continued to sob. We actually wanted to drink something hot but the restaurant was closed. After a while, I showed my friends about the shortcut path to the Glass House and we decided to go although it was still raining. We saw some black umbrellas by the reception and asked how much was the rent. However, we were so grateful when the receptionist said that the umbrellas can just be borrowed and can be left in the Glass House if we don’t plan to return to the rest house. That was cool! And off we went.

Barn — That barn effect just before the glass house.

Circle — The circular entrance to the spectacular glass house.

Patterns — Simple patterns created like this make a good impact to the overall picture.

Entrance — The entrance to the glass house.

Cinderella’s glass slippers and now, a glass house? Cool, at least this one’s real. I was so ecstatic to get in and to check what’s inside. After getting in, I would really commend the interior designers of this house. The house was really meant for flowers and mini-gardens inside while it also has some sort of a living room with sofas (and wine), kitchen, fireplace, bed, and benches. Fascinating combination, right? I thank God we did not skip this because we really wanted to avoid getting ourselves wet by the rain.

First Glass — The interior of the biggest glass house. Such a beautiful and cozy sight.

The very initial scene that welcomed us was a very romantic one, like in a wedding process: dating – wedding – honeymoon. The elements of flowers by the side and flowers hanging, arch, curtained beds, and decorated stairs were there. It was amazingly dreamy. We could not wait to see the rest of the house. But what would it be like when the sun is up? Hmm.

Ceiling — The glass roof of the house. If only the clouds were blue but still, it was okay.

Bed Side — Beside the romantic little park is this likewise romantic bed area.

Little Park — The view of the romantic little park from the bed area.

Info — The full Glass House information.

After getting past the dreamy section of the house, the living room awaits which has the cozy sofa and fireplace. Deeper into the house are thicker mini-gardens with walkways so one can enjoy and smell the flowers. It was extremely refreshing and relaxing, better than spa for me.

Bridge — Everything in this glass house is cute just like these little bridges that form a good landscape inside.

Walkway — The garden was designed to be easily viewed and appreciated by visitors by proper walkways.

The heart of the Glass House is the Statue of Mother and Child, which I believe signifies love. We saw several hanging wooden, pastel-colored heart carvings in front of the statue. What do the messages say?

Mom Child — This is the Status of Mother and Child.

Hearts — Little wooden hearts hang in front of the Statue of Mother and Child.

A nice cafe also exists beside the Glass House with a great view of the cityscape. Probably because of the weather and since it was already half hour before closing time, nobody was there. I had the place all to myself at least for 5 minutes.

Second — I went to the mezzanine floor of the glass house to have a different perspective.

The Hibiscus blooming happily in spite of the rainy afternoon.

Coffee — Indeed a perfect spot for coffee and chat.

March — The stairway towards the most romantic section of the Glass House. I marched down as if I was wearing a long, white gown.

The tour around the glass structures was delighting and we left with a very light feeling. Colors, nature, and scent can really make a big change with how we feel just as how chefs try hard to make their masterpiece very appetizing with the appropriate mix of colors and texture.

Romance — The most romantic section of the Glass House.

I hereby give you a quick tour around the Glass House through the following time-lapse video:

We bought a round-trip ticket of the ropeway so we had another chance to enjoy the view and this time, we asked the crew if we can wipe the glass of the cable car first so we can get better and clearer photos. During our ride up the slope, there were more droplets view in my photos than the real Kobe view. Our wish was granted, hence, the photos here.