Nunobiki Falls Kobe: An Easy Hike from Shin-Kobe Station

My wife and I recently visited Nunobiki Falls, a beautiful waterfall area in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture.

The weather was perfect that day, but after a busy week at work, I wasn’t really in the mood for a long trip. We wanted somewhere nearby where we could enjoy a little nature without making too many plans. That’s when we discovered Nunobiki Falls.

Surprisingly, you can reach these beautiful waterfalls on foot from Shin-Kobe Station, a major Shinkansen (bullet train) stop! We decided to visit on the spur of the moment.

And I’m glad we did! The waterfalls were impressive, the mountain trails were surrounded by greenery, and the observation deck offered wonderful views over Kobe. Best of all, we didn’t need any special hiking equipment or advance reservations.

In this article, I’ll share our experience visiting Nunobiki Falls, including how to get there, parking information, what to wear, hiking time, and the highlights along the trail.

About Nunobiki Falls

Nunobiki Falls is a famous waterfall area located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. It has been selected as one of Japan’s 100 famous waterfalls.

Although commonly called Nunobiki Falls, the area actually consists of four waterfalls:

• Ontaki Falls
• Mentaki Falls
• Meotodaki Falls
• Tsutsumigataki Falls

The most impressive is Ontaki Falls, which has a drop of approximately 43 meters.

Nunobiki Falls is also sometimes mentioned alongside Kegon Falls in Tochigi and Nachi Falls in Wakayama as one of Japan’s three great sacred waterfalls.

What makes Nunobiki Falls especially attractive is its location. Despite being surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests, it is only a short walk from Shin-Kobe Station!

① Access and Parking

The nearest station is Shin-Kobe Station, served by the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kobe Municipal Subway. It takes approximately 15–20 minutes to walk from Shin-Kobe Station to Ontaki Falls.

The hiking trail begins just behind the station.

You can also visit by car, although there is no parking directly beside the waterfalls. Drivers need to use a parking lot around Shin-Kobe Station and continue on foot.

We visited by car and parked in a nearby parking lot. Parking fees generally seemed higher closer to the station, so if you want to save money, consider looking for a parking lot a little farther away.

We found one about a 10-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station that cost ¥200 per hour. It was a pretty good deal!

② What to Wear and Bring

Basically, you don’t need professional hiking equipment to visit Nunobiki Falls. We went in our everyday clothes: T-shirts, chinos, and sneakers.

However, the trail includes quite a few stairs, slopes, and uneven sections. I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes rather than sandals or dress shoes.

​Although Nunobiki Falls is relatively easy to access, remember that you are still walking on mountain trails. Be especially careful after rain, when the paths may become slippery.

Our Hike to Nunobiki Falls

Now, let me show you what our hike was actually like!

We started at Shin-Kobe Station and followed this route:
Shin-Kobe Station → Mentaki Falls → Ontaki Falls → Observation Deck → Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam

① Starting from Shin-Kobe Station

Our journey began at Shin-Kobe Station. The trail to Nunobiki Falls starts just behind the station, making it incredibly convenient for travelers.

On the first floor of Shin-Kobe Station, there is a small shop area selling hiking-related goods. If you’ve forgotten something, you may be able to buy it here.

I also recommend using the restrooms on the second floor of the station before starting your hike, especially if you prefer clean and comfortable facilities.

From the first-floor exit near the hiking goods area, head north and follow the signs toward Nunobiki Falls.

Within just a few minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature.

It’s hard to believe that such a peaceful mountain area exists right next to a Shinkansen station!

② First Stop: Mentaki Falls

Following the signs along the trail, we soon reached our first destination: Mentaki Falls. It took us only about 5–10 minutes from Shin-Kobe Station. Seriously, it’s really close!

Mentaki Falls is smaller than Ontaki Falls, but it has a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by greenery.

There are benches near the waterfall where you can sit and enjoy the scenery.　If you need a break, this is a good place to take one.

The trail gets steeper after this point!

③ Next Stop: Ontaki Falls

After leaving Mentaki Falls, we continued farther up the mountain. The paths and stone steps are generally well maintained, but there are quite a few uphill sections. You’ll definitely get some exercise!

After climbing the stairs and following the forest trail, we finally arrived at the main attraction.

Ontaki Falls!　Wow!

With a drop of approximately 43 meters, Ontaki Falls is the largest waterfall in the Nunobiki area. The water flow seemed relatively low on the day we visited, but watching the water fall down the enormous rocky cliff was still impressive.

There are benches near the waterfall, although they were all occupied when we arrived. Apparently, it’s a popular place!

The best part is that it only takes around 20 minutes to reach Ontaki Falls from Shin-Kobe Station. Being able to see such a beautiful waterfall after such a short walk feels like a luxury.

If you don’t have much time, you can simply enjoy Ontaki Falls and return to the station. But if you still have energy, I highly recommend continuing farther up the trail.

​Ontaki Chaya: A Rest Stop Near the Waterfall

Just above Ontaki Falls, you’ll find a small traditional rest stop called Ontaki Chaya.

It’s a convenient place to take a break during your hike.　There are vending machines, and you can also enjoy simple meals such as ramen.

④ Enjoying the View of Kobe

After visiting Ontaki Falls, we continued uphill toward the observation deck.　

There is a public restroom along the way.

When we finally reached the observation deck, we were rewarded with a fantastic view of Kobe!

From here, you can see the city stretching toward the sea.

Just a short while earlier, we had been walking through a quiet forest surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. And suddenly, the modern city of Kobe appeared right in front of us. The contrast between the natural landscape and the urban scenery was amazing!

There are also restrooms and vending machines around the observation deck, which is convenient if you need a break.

Shingo

However, I used one of the public restrooms, and it wasn’t quite as clean as the facilities in the city. If possible, I recommend using the restrooms at Shin-Kobe Station before your hike.

⑤ Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam

After enjoying the view, we continued toward the final destination of our hike: Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam, also known as Nunobiki Dam. The dam holds back the water of Nunobiki Reservoir.

This part of the hike was longer than I expected, and the final uphill section was particularly tiring. To be honest, I almost wanted to give up halfway! But we kept going.

And finally, a beautiful reservoir surrounded by green mountains appeared in front of us. What a view! After all that climbing, it felt great to finally reach our destination.

We enjoyed the peaceful scenery for a while before starting our walk back to Shin-Kobe Station.

How Long Does the Nunobiki Falls Hike Take?

Here is a summary of our actual hiking experience.

​The step count and floors climbed are approximate figures recorded during our visit.

We walked around 7,500 steps, and my smartwatch recorded the equivalent of climbing approximately 50 floors. No wonder my legs were tired! However, because we stopped frequently to take pictures and enjoy the waterfalls, the hike didn’t feel particularly long.

We went all the way to Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam, but you can enjoy a much shorter walk if you only visit Mentaki and Ontaki Falls.

That’s one of the great things about Nunobiki Falls. You can choose a route depending on your available time and fitness level.

What We Loved About Nunobiki Falls

After visiting Nunobiki Falls, here are six things we particularly enjoyed.

① Beautiful Waterfalls, Forest Trails, and City Views

The biggest attraction is definitely the scenery.

Ontaki Falls is impressive, but the surrounding forest trails and panoramic views of Kobe are also wonderful.

What surprised me most was how quickly the scenery changed. You can leave the busy city behind and find yourself surrounded by nature in just a few minutes. You don’t need to travel deep into the mountains to enjoy beautiful natural scenery.

② Excellent Access from Shin-Kobe Station

Another major advantage is the convenient location.

Because Nunobiki Falls is within walking distance of Shin-Kobe Station, it’s easy to visit by public transportation.

If you have an extra hour or two before catching your Shinkansen, visiting Ontaki Falls could be an interesting way to spend your time in Kobe.

However, keep in mind that the trail includes stairs and slopes. I wouldn’t recommend hiking with a large suitcase.

Make sure you leave plenty of time to return to the station before your train departs.

③ You Can Reach the Main Waterfalls Quickly

You don’t need to spend an entire day hiking to enjoy Nunobiki Falls.

Mentaki Falls is only about 5–10 minutes from Shin-Kobe Station, while Ontaki Falls takes approximately 20 minutes.

Even if you’re not an experienced hiker, visiting these waterfalls is relatively manageable.

Of course, there are stairs and uphill sections, so take your time and choose a route that suits your fitness level.

④ No Special Equipment or Admission Fee Required

We decided to visit Nunobiki Falls on the same day, without making any special preparations.

We didn’t bring hiking boots or professional outdoor equipment. Our regular clothes and sneakers were enough for the conditions on the day we visited. As long as you wear suitable shoes and bring some water, it’s a convenient place for a casual outdoor adventure.

Another great point is that there is no admission fee to visit the waterfalls. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy nature without spending much money!

⑤ Restrooms and Vending Machines Are Available

One concern when hiking in Japan is finding restrooms and places to buy drinks.

Fortunately, there are public restrooms and vending machines at certain points along the Nunobiki Falls trail, including near the observation deck. This makes the hike more comfortable, especially for visitors who aren’t used to mountain trails.

However, facilities are limited. I recommend bringing enough water and using the restroom before leaving Shin-Kobe Station.

​Some vending machines may only accept cash, so I recommend bringing at least ¥1,000 in cash in case you need to buy drinks along the way.

⑥ Families with Young Children Can Enjoy It Too

Nunobiki Falls can also be a fun destination for families with children. Although there are stairs and slopes, much of the trail is maintained, and you don’t need serious mountain-climbing experience.

Based on our experience, I think even children around five years old may be able to enjoy the shorter route to Mentaki and Ontaki Falls, depending on their fitness and walking ability. We actually saw quite a few families with young children during our visit.

However, the longer route to the observation deck and Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam requires more walking and climbing.

If you’re visiting with small children, I recommend starting with the shorter route and deciding whether to continue. Also, keep a close eye on children near steep stairs and slippery areas.

Shingo

If you’re looking for another outdoor adventure to enjoy with kids in the Kansai region, I also recommend canyoning in Nara!
We tried it with our elementary-school-aged daughter, and I’ve shared our experience with plenty of photos in the article below.

Related article

Canyoning in Nara with Kids: Our Family Experience with Aozora Fun

Lunch at Nonohana Pizza

This is a little out of chronological order, but before visiting Nunobiki Falls, we stopped for lunch at a pizza restaurant called Nonohana.

We ordered an asparagus Bismarck pizza. And it was absolutely delicious!

The pizza was authentic and flavorful, and the restaurant had a welcoming, casual atmosphere. The staff were friendly, which made the experience even better.

In addition to pizza, the restaurant offers pasta, side dishes, and smoothies.

If you’re looking for a nice place to eat around the Shin-Kobe area, it’s worth considering!

Final Thoughts

This time, we visited Nunobiki Falls in Kobe. Despite being located just a short walk from Shin-Kobe Station, the area offers beautiful waterfalls, peaceful forest trails, and wonderful views of the city.

We continued all the way to Nunobiki Gohonmatsu Dam, and the entire hike took us approximately 1.5–2 hours. Not bad for a spontaneous weekend outing!

If you’re visiting Kobe and want to enjoy some nature without traveling far from the city, I highly recommend adding Nunobiki Falls to your itinerary.　

Whether you have time for a short walk to Ontaki Falls or a longer hike to the dam, it’s a great way to discover a different side of Kobe.

Enjoy your trip to Kobe!.

Shingo

After exploring the beautiful Nunobiki Falls, why not enjoy a completely different side of Kobe?

The Kobe Concerto Dinner Cruise offers French cuisine, live piano music, and beautiful nighttime views of Kobe Port. We experienced the cruise ourselves and shared our impressions, photos, and dining experience in a separate article.

Related ariticle

Kobe Concerto Dinner Cruise Review: Our Romantic Night in Japan

Fin

鳴山シンゴ / Shingo Naruyama

化学メーカー社員／ブロガー | Chemical Manufacturer Employee / Blogger

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世界を旅するブロガーを目指す30代化学メーカー社員。趣味（読書、カメラ、サウナ、旅行、バドミントン）やお金・ライフハック関連の記事を投稿しています！ ｜ English ｜ Japan-based blogger working for a chemical manufacturer. I share real experiences and practical tips about travel, saunas, activities, and everyday life in Japan.