A Slow Day at Sorakuen Garden🌴

#cityplaybook Tucked away in the heart of Kobe, Sorakuen Garden is a peaceful retreat filled with seasonal beauty and rich history. Known for its stunning sotetsu (cycad) trees, this traditional Japanese garden offers a serene escape from the city’s bustle. As you stroll through the grounds, you’ll find the Former Kodera Stable, a Western-style wooden structure from the Meiji era that once housed horses for a noble family. Nearby is the elegant Former Hassam Residence, a preserved Western house that blends beautifully into the Japanese landscape—highlighting the East-meets-West character of Kobe. Why I recommend this place: ・It’s a hidden gem in central Kobe where you can enjoy nature and architecture at once ・The contrast between traditional gardens and historic Western buildings is truly unique 📍Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture #sorakuengarden #kobehiddengem #japanesegarden #historicarchitecture #kobetravel #slowtraveljapan #cityplaybook