Maya Viewline Cableway & Ropeway
Ascend Mount Maya for breathtaking panoramic views of Kobe, a journey featuring a unique cable car and ropeway experience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Maya Viewline Cableway & Ropeway
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ascend Mount Maya for breathtaking panoramic views of Kobe, a journey featuring a unique cable car and ropeway experience.
"The views from the top are stunning, especially at night, but consider combining with Nunobiki Herb Garden for more value."
Check Operating Hours
Weekday hours can be limited, especially in the evening. Always verify before you go! :clock1:
Combine with Herb Garden
For a fuller experience, visit Nunobiki Herb Garden. It offers more to see and do. :seedling:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic City Views
Summit of Mount Maya
Breathtaking vistas of Kobe and the surrounding bay, especially stunning at sunset and night.
Nunobiki Herb Garden
Base of Mount Maya
A beautiful garden with diverse flora, glasshouses, and waterfalls, accessible via cable car.
Unique Cable Car & Ropeway Journey
Mount Maya Ascent
Experience a two-part journey: a tracked mountain car followed by an aerial ropeway.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Beyond the View
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Operating Hours
Weekday hours can be limited, especially in the evening. Always verify before you go! :clock1:
Combine with Herb Garden
For a fuller experience, visit Nunobiki Herb Garden. It offers more to see and do. :seedling:
Budget-Friendly Option
Nunobiki Herb Garden is a more cost-effective choice for great views and activities. :moneybag:
Two-Part Ascent
The journey involves a cable car then a ropeway. Be prepared for a transfer. :mountain_cableway:
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Operating Hours
Weekday hours can be limited, especially in the evening. Always verify before you go! :clock1:
Combine with Herb Garden
For a fuller experience, visit Nunobiki Herb Garden. It offers more to see and do. :seedling:
Budget-Friendly Option
Nunobiki Herb Garden is a more cost-effective choice for great views and activities. :moneybag:
Two-Part Ascent
The journey involves a cable car then a ropeway. Be prepared for a transfer. :mountain_cableway:
Night Views are Magical
The city lights from the top are breathtaking, making an evening visit worthwhile. :star2:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
While the Maya Viewline offers impressive panoramic city views, particularly at night, some visitors find the summit experience itself to be limited and potentially overrated. Many recommend combining the visit with the Nunobiki Herb Garden for a more comprehensive and budget-friendly experience.
"If you're considering a visit to this spot, I’d suggest you think twice. This place is overrated and not worth the hype. There’s honestly nothing special on top except for a restaurant and a view of the city, which hardly justifies the trip.
For a better experience, I highly recommend visiting Nunobiki Herb Garden instead. You can take a cable car ride up, and the views of the city from the top are just as stunning. On top of that, the herb garden offers so much more to explore, like the beautiful glasshouse, waterfalls, and other attractions, making it a more enriching and fulfilling visit.
If you're traveling on a budget, Nunobiki Herb Garden is a much better option. It provides a similar view of the city with added activities and sights to enjoy. Save your time and money, and skip this overrated destination."
6kmanu
"Unfortunately closed for repairs."
M Conway
"A ropeway that offers a panoramic view of the city of Kobe.
First, take the cable car from the base to Niji no Eki (Rainbow Station), then change to the ropeway to Hoshino Eki (Star Station) at the top of the mountain. There are some slopes and stairs to transfer from the cable car to the ropeway. In addition to the regular service, special services are also operated when there are many passengers.
There is only one support pillar along the entire 856m length, so the rope sags quite a bit. This sagging is actually important, and it is dangerous if the rope is too tight. If you think about it, it is quite a scary ride (^^;;
Cable cars have brakes in case the cable breaks, but with the ropeway, you can just enjoy the scenery without thinking about what would happen if the rope broke."
S “la mer” N
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Osaka, take a train to Kobe (approx. 1 hour). From Kobe, you can access the cable car and ropeway. Some suggest it's part of a convenient day trip from Osaka. +1
From Kobe, you can use public transport to reach the base station. The journey involves a cable car followed by a ropeway.
Parking might be limited or a significant walk from the station, making public transport a more convenient option.
Yes, some visitors have used the Kobe City Smart Pass for round-trip tickets on the cable car and ropeway.
At the top, you can find attractions like an observation tower and potentially other unique transport like a 'Carlator' hybrid.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
A round-trip ticket for the Mount Maya Cable Car and ropeway costs approximately 1,560 yen.
While specific discounts aren't widely mentioned, using a Kobe City Smart Pass might offer value.
Operating hours vary, especially on weekdays and during different seasons. Weekday evenings can have limited service, and it closes earlier outside of peak summer. Always check the official schedule.
No, the cable car typically operates from Wednesday to Monday and is closed on Tuesdays.
Advance ticket purchase details are not widely available, but tickets are generally available at the station.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The main attraction is the panoramic view of Kobe. There's also a restaurant and potentially other attractions like an observation tower.
Yes, it's considered family-friendly with potential for mini cars and cycle monorails, and offers a unique ride experience.
The 'Carlator' is described as a unique cable car-escalator hybrid, adding an interesting element to the ascent.
Some users note the rope sags significantly, which is structurally necessary but can feel unnerving to some.
The views are described as panoramic, offering a stunning perspective of Kobe city and the bay, especially impressive at night.
📸 📸 Photography
Sunset and nighttime offer dramatic cityscapes with lights. Daytime provides clear views of the city and bay.
The observation deck at the summit (Kikuseidai) is the prime spot for capturing the expansive city views.
A wide-angle lens is useful for capturing the panoramic views. A tripod can be beneficial for low-light photography at night.
Yes, you can take photos during the ascent and descent, capturing the changing scenery.
No specific restrictions are commonly mentioned, but always be mindful of other visitors.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider combining your visit with the Nunobiki Herb Garden, which has beautiful grounds for children to explore and is generally a more interactive experience than just the viewpoint. Checking the operating hours is crucial, as limited evening service might affect plans for families with younger children.
💰 Budget Travelers
If you do opt for the Maya Viewline, consider purchasing a Kobe City Smart Pass if it aligns with your other planned activities, as it might offer savings on transportation. Always verify ticket prices and operating hours to avoid unexpected costs.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
For those interested in the journey itself, the unique cable car and ropeway system, including the noticeable sag in the ropeway, can make for interesting photographic subjects.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Ascent: Cable Car to Ropeway
The ropeway itself is an 856-meter span with only one support pillar, leading to a noticeable sag in the cable. While this is a normal engineering feature for stability, some visitors find the swaying sensation a bit unnerving. However, it allows for unobstructed, panoramic views of Kobe and the surrounding landscape.
For those looking for a unique experience, the ascent also features the 'Carlator,' described as a hybrid cable car-escalator, adding a touch of novelty to the journey.
Beyond the Summit: Maximizing Your Visit
The Nunobiki Herb Garden provides a much richer experience with its diverse collection of plants, beautiful glasshouses, cascading waterfalls, and walking paths. It's often recommended as a more fulfilling and enriching visit, especially for those on a budget, as it offers similar stunning city views alongside its own unique attractions.
Many travelers suggest that a day trip to Kobe can easily incorporate both the Maya Viewline and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, allowing you to experience the city's natural beauty and scenic viewpoints without feeling rushed.
Kobe Beef & Day Trip Delights
Kobe is also a popular day trip destination from Osaka, easily reachable by train in about an hour. This makes it an attractive option for travelers looking to explore beyond their base city. Popular day trip itineraries often include the Maya Viewline, Nunobiki Herb Garden, Kobe Chinatown, and Harborland.
When planning your Kobe day trip, consider the layout of the city and how to best navigate between attractions. While the Maya Viewline offers great views, it's wise to have a broader plan that encompasses other key sights to maximize your time.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit