Kitayama Botanical Garden

Nishinomiya, Japan, Japan

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Kitayama Botanical Garden (also called Nigawa Botanical Garden or Kitayama Ryokka Shokubutsuen) is a 9‑hectare public botanical garden in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, opened in 1982 and located next to Kabutoyama Forest Park at Mount Kabutoyama.

The garden features an exhibition greenhouse, a plant experiment (research) center, a green consultation center, about 200 kinds of trees, flower collections, and cherry trees, plus traditional Japanese elements including a Japanese garden, the artful cottage‑style Kitayama Sansou mountain villa, and recreated Chinese garden pavilions “Rantei” and “Bokkatei” modeled after gardens in Shaoxing, China’s sister city.

Visitors can enjoy seasonal blooms and autumn foliage, picnic on the grounds, and take gentle hiking trails that lead to Kitayama Pond and scenic viewpoints; the Kitayama Sansou offers paid tea service with matcha and wagashi. Admission is free, pets are not allowed, food can be brought in, and access is about a 20‑minute walk from Hankyu Nishinomiya‑Kitaguchi Station or by Hanshin/Hankyu bus to the Kayando‑cho stop.