The only Japanese garden in Kobe After 26 years of extensive restoration, what used to be a private residence was reopened to the public in 1911. This is the only and the most treasured Japanese garden in Kobe, which has been infused with considerable Western influence. Inside the Japanese garden are comprehensive landscapes such as a stone bridge, trickling water, ponds and meticulously arranged flora to present the most magnificent beauty of nature. There are myriads of important cultural architectures in the garden that offer a fusion of Western and Japanese aesthetics to further enhance the attractiveness of Sorakuen Garden.