Kobe Municipal Arboretum, Botanical garden and arboretum in Kita-ku, Kobe, Japan
The Kobe Municipal Arboretum is a 142-hectare garden on the slopes of Mount Maya containing roughly 1,200 species of trees and shrubs from Japan, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America. The grounds sprawl across hillside terrain and blend different plant regions together.
The arboretum opened in 1940 during a time of growing interest in botanical research in Japan. This period marked the beginning of increased focus on public nature education across the country.
The garden displays Japanese trees alongside species from around the world, showing how the place brings together local and global plant life. Visitors experience this mix throughout the grounds as they walk through different sections.
The garden sits on a mountain slope, so sturdy shoes and water to bring along are wise choices, especially on warm days. Walking through the grounds requires some physical activity since you are constantly going up and down.
During autumn, roughly 3,000 maple trees in 38 different varieties turn into a glowing color display that attracts many visitors specifically during this season. This natural show is one of the main reasons why the place draws crowds at that time of year.
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