Have you heard of Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park in Kobe, a retro spot that’s been gaining popularity on social media and in the media? It may not have cutting-edge technology or high-tech attractions, but it’s filled with nostalgic playground equipment, exciting rides, and breathtaking scenery you won’t find anywhere else. Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park is a place where you can enjoy a moment that feels as if you’ve traveled back to the Showa era.

Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park, which opened in 1959, is a charming retro-style amusement park located atop a mountain. Visitors ride a ropeway, the unique “Car-later” escalator, and a sightseeing lift to reach the summit. Once there, you’ll find plenty of nostalgic fun, including a cycle monorail, Mini Car Land, and a play area for kids. The park also features a BBQ area and the rare Rotating Observation Tower, offering a variety of enjoyable activities. From the park, you can admire the calm Seto Inland Sea, as well as scenic views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island.

Access to Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park is available by train.

〇From Osaka / Kobe-Sannomiya
From Hanshin Railway Osaka-Umeda Station, take the Limited Express bound for Himeji to Sanyo-Suma Station, then transfer to a local train and get off at Sumaura-Koen Station. The park entrance is right outside the station.

〇From Akashi / Himeji
From Sanyo Railway, take the Limited Express bound for Hanshin-Umeda to Sanyo-Tarumi Station, then transfer to a local train and get off at Sumaura-Koen Station. The park entrance is right outside the station.

From Sumaura-Koen Station, you will take a series of rides to reach Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park at the top of the mountain:
Ropeway (approx. 3 min) → Car-later (approx. 2 min 20 sec) → Sightseeing lift (approx. 4 min 15 sec).

We recommend using the Hanshin & Sanyo Seaside 1-Day Ticket　when visiting Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park. This convenient and budget-friendly pass allows unlimited rides for one day between Hanshin Railway’s Osaka-Umeda Station / Osaka-Namba Station and Sanyo Railway’s Sanyo-Himeji Station.

We also recommend purchasing the “Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park Round-Trip Discount Excursion Ticket – Course A　” at the park. This round-trip ticket includes the ropeway, car-later, sightseeing lift, and admission to the observation tower.

・Adults (junior high school students and older): 2,100 yen
・Children (elementary school students): 1,600 yen
* Admission is free for preschool children.

Let us introduce three unmissable highlights when visiting Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park.

To reach Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park, you will transfer between three exciting rides. From the first ropeway, the entire journey takes a minimum of 60 minutes, typically around 90 minutes, or up to 120 minutes if you want to take your time and fully enjoy the experience. Your journey begins with the ropeway directly connected to Sanyo Railway’s Sumaura Park Station, operating every 15 minutes.

From the ropeway windows, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the vast sea and sky, along with trains running along the coastline.

Next, board the Car-later, which connects the ropeway’s mountain station to the top of the mountain inside the park. This rare ride, seldom found elsewhere in Japan, has become a beloved attraction thanks to its basket-like appearance and its famously “bumpy ride.” Shaking and rattling vigorously, it slowly climbs a steep slope of about 25 degrees. With its vibrations and unique angle, this 91-meter ride is full of thrills.

Finally, hop onto the sightseeing lift. Swaying gently at a relaxed speed, you can enjoy a refreshing breeze and a leisurely floating sensation as you take in the scenery during your calm and pleasant aerial stroll.

A must-try experience at Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park is the Cycle Monorail. This ride takes you on a two-person pedal-powered car along a rail set 3–8 meters above the ground, completing a loop around the course. It’s fun for both children and adults, and the fare is 300 yen per ride. Enjoy the unique floating sensation and thrill—almost as if you are gliding through the sky.

On clear days, you can take in stunning views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island. During cherry blossom season, you can even ride through a tunnel of sakura that stretches over the rails, creating a magical springtime experience.

A spot you absolutely shouldn’t miss at Sumaura Sanjo Amusement Park is the Rotating Observation Tower, located right where you get off the sightseeing lift. On the third floor is Kissa Cosmos, one of the few rotating restaurants still in operation in Japan. The circular floor slowly makes a full rotation in about 55 minutes.

While sipping a drink or enjoying light meals and desserts, you can relax and take in the gentle 360-degree panoramic views. Highly recommended are the melon soda and cream soda, which look especially beautiful when illuminated by the setting sun. The café’s original coasters are also adorably designed—so cute you’ll want to take one home with you.

There are several observation points throughout the park, each offering its own spectacular views, from sweeping 360-degree panoramas to unique perspectives of the surrounding landscape.

〇 East Observation Deck

Located just off the ropeway, on the rooftop of the Car-Lator station, this deck overlooks the beautiful Suma coastline. Even the wait for the return ropeway feels enjoyable with such a view.

〇 Rotating Observation Tower Rooftop Deck

The view from the rooftop of the Rotating Observation Tower is so stunning that it has been selected as one of the “150 Best Scenic Viewpoints in Hyogo.” On clear days, you can even see as far as Kansai International Airport. It is also a popular spot for watching the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s Day.

〇 West Observation Deck

The West Observation Deck is famous as a prime viewing spot for the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge. With a rest area nearby, it’s a perfect place to enjoy a packed lunch while soaking in the scenery.

〇 View from Hatahuri Chaya

A little further uphill from Sumaura Sanjo Yuen, Hatahuri Chaya also offers wonderful views that are well worth the short climb.

Sumaura Park is also one of the top cherry blossom spots in Hyogo Prefecture. In spring, around 3,200 cherry trees bloom across the area. Enjoy photographing the sea framed by cherry blossoms or take in a view of the mountain covered in pink blossoms from the sightseeing lift—an experience unique to Sumaura Sanjo Yuen.

At Kobe Suma Sea World, you can enjoy a variety of aquatic creatures, including orcas and dolphins, with the only orca performance available in western Japan.

Both the orca and dolphin shows are dynamic and exciting, set against the beautiful backdrop of Suma Beach. During the orca performance, powerful splashes may reach the audience, so if you want to feel the full impact, be sure to sit in the front rows.

At Blue Ocean Orca Stadium, a restaurant where you can dine while viewing the orcas, you can savor dishes made with plenty of ingredients from Hyogo Prefecture. The restaurant is very popular, so we recommend making reservations early once your travel dates are set.

Kobe Suma Rikyu Park is a vast urban park built on the former site of Muko Rikyu, a former Imperial Family villa. The park is divided into the Main Garden—featuring a Western-style landscape—and a botanical garden, where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers such as roses, irises, and plum blossoms.

The best times to visit Kobe Suma Rikyu Park are from mid-May to mid-June, when around 300 varieties and 4,000 rose bushes are in full bloom, and from early October to mid-November.

The autumn foliage typically reaches its peak from mid-November to early December. During this period, special light-up and illumination events are held, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing stroll among beautifully colored trees.

Just about 40 minutes from Osaka, Kobe’s Suma area offers great access from the city center. If you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle, why not escape to this retro, nostalgic amusement park surrounded by nature? Charming rides and attractions that bring out your playful side, along with the lush greenery of the mountains and the deep blue sea nearby, will refresh both your body and mind.