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Discover Kobe: 15 Things to Do, Area Guide, Access, Hotels
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Kobe, a major port city in Western Japan, located close to Osaka and Kyoto, is home to a sophisticated port cityscape, boasting many stylish cafes and historical buildings. We introduce the best things to do and see in Kobe.
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This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Kobe: A Mix of Western and Japanese Culture
Kobe is a stylish city in Western Japan, not far from Osaka and Kyoto, that flourished as an international port city. In Kobe, you'll find a blend of Western and Japanese cultures that have created the sophisticated local cityscape.
In this article, we introduce 15 must-visit places in Kobe, including an area guide, a recommended 2-day itinerary, hotels, and other travel tips.
Kobe Travel Guide: Things to Do and Travel Tips
Kobe Area Guide
1. Kobe Port Tower
2. Unique Houses Known as Ijinkan
3. Street Food inn Nankinmachi
4. Kobe’s Number One Shopping Arcade
5. Pray For Love at Ikuta Shrine
6. Enjoy the Sea Breeze at Harborland
7. Take a Walk Through the Unique Fashion District
8. Explore Kobe's History
9. An Unforgettable Night View
10. Savor Delishes Kobe Beef
11. Take a Break at a Trendy Cafe
12. Experience Everyday Life in a Retro Area
13. Try Freshly Made Sake
14. Arima Onsen: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Town
15. Breathe the Fresh Mountain Air
How to Get to Kobe
Hotels and Guesthouses in Kobe
2-Day Itinerary in Kobe
Kobe Area Guide
Kobe can be broadly divided into six areas: Sannomiya-Motomachi, Bay, Shinkaichi, Nada, Arima Onsen, and Mount Rokko.
The central area for sightseeing in Kobe is the Sannomiya/Motomachi Area.
This area is divided into the Kitano Area to the north (mountain side), where Western-style houses known as Ijinkan line the streets, and the Shopping Area to the south (seaside), which boasts the best shopping street in Kobe.
Just about a 5-minute walk from Motomachi Station is Nankin-machi, the largest Chinatown in the Kansai region. Here, numerous Chinese restaurants are closely packed together, and there are plenty of places for food sampling!
Further towards the seaside, you will find Kobe's landmark, the Kobe Port Tower, surrounded by the spacious Meriken Park and the shopping complex of Harborland in the Bay Area.
You can see a different side of Kobe in Shinkaichi, an area full of the old downtown atmosphere with traditional shopping streets and beloved local shops. If you enjoy sake, you will want to visit the sake breweries in Nada.
Just a bit further, you'll find the representative hot spring area of Kansai, Arima Onsen, and the nature-filled area of Mount Rokko.
Now, let's take a look at specific spots and ways to enjoy what this area has to offer!
15 Things to Do in Kobe
1. Kobe Bay Area: Breathtaking Views from the Kobe Port Tower
The 108-meter Kobe Port Tower, a symbol of Kobe, is an observation tower.
The bright red tower, with its hourglass-shaped hyperbolic structure, stands out beautifully against the blue sky.
Picture courtesy of KOBE TOURISM BUREAU
At night, the tower is beautifully illuminated, showcasing a different kind of beauty! If you visit the observation deck during this time, you can enjoy Kobe’s night view in a stunning 360-degree panorama.
Hotels near Kobe Port Tower
2. Sannomiya-Motomachi Area: Unique Western-Style Houses
Since the opening of Kobe Port in 1868, foreign residents from countries like the United States of America, Britain, France, and Russia have lived in Kobe, fostering new cultural developments.
Ijinkan refers to the residences of these foreign residents from that time. The Kazamidori no Yakata (House of the Weathercock), shown in the picture, is the former Thomas residence built around 1909. It is now open to the public.
The architectural style, which reflects Thomas's German heritage, is uniquely blended with Japanese elements, creating an elegantly atmospheric interior.
In the Kitano area, more than 30 Ijinkan remain today, with about a dozen of them open to the public.
Hotels near Kitano Foreigners' Houses
3. Sannomiya-Motomachi Area: Try Street Food in Nankinmachi
Located about a 5-minute walk from Motomachi Station is Nankin-machi, the representative Chinatown of Western Japan. Spanning approximately 270 meters east to west and 110 meters north to south, it is home to over 100 businesses.
While enjoying a Chinese lunch is a great option, don’t miss out on the many food stalls where you can buy light snacks and enjoy them as you explore.
In the picture is Peking Duck. It features crispy, roasted Peking duck skin wrapped with green onions and drizzled with a sweet sauce. The crunchy duck skin is aromatic and delicious!
Another popular item sold at many stalls is the Kakuni-man, which is a steamed bun filled with tender, braised pork belly. It's quite hearty!
Prices may vary slightly by vendor, but most are around a few hundred yen, so it's a great idea to buy a variety and sample different options!
4. Sannomiya-Motomachi Area: Visit Kobe’s Famous Shopping Arcade
Located about a 5-minute walk south of Sannomiya Station, Sannomiya Center Street is an arcade shopping street that stretches approximately 600 meters toward the Motomachi area.
On both sides of this spacious street, you will find a variety of shops ranging from electronics retailers to apparel stores and cafes.
Doesn't this juice look delicious? Follow this street towards Motomachi and find the entrance to Chinatown at the end of it.
Hotels near Kobe Sannomiya Center Street
5. Ikuta Shrine: Dedicated to Relationships
Ikuta Shrine is a shrine located about a 10-minute walk from Sannomiya Station. While Kobe is strongly associated with its image as a port city, there are also several historically significant shrines scattered throughout the area.
The deity enshrined at Ikuta Shrine is Wakahirume no Mikoto, a goddess of textiles, revered for her ability to forge "connections" between people. Today, it is also popular as a power spot for achieving romantic success.
The Inari Shrine, located in the northeast of the grounds, has gained attention as a photogenic spot.
Visitors make wishes at the Inari Shrine, and as a token of gratitude for their requests being granted, they donate vermilion-painted torii gates.
The sight of these torii gates lined up resembles that of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. The more gates there are, the more likely it is that the wishes made at this shrine will come true.
Hotels near Ikuta Shrine
6. Kobe Bay Area: Enjoy the Sea Breeze at Harborland
In the Bay Area, Harborland is a complex commercial facility that offers a variety of attractions. A recommended spot here is the Kobe Brick Warehouse.
This sturdy brick building, constructed in the late 1890s, houses cafes, restaurants, and stationery shops, providing a charming atmosphere to explore and enjoy.
At the long-established stationery store branch NAGASAWA Kobe Brick Warehouse, you'll find a carefully curated selection of stationery sourced from all over the country by staff members who love stationery.
Many customers make a special trip just to visit this shop. Even if you're not a stationery enthusiast, the store offers a joyful atmosphere that lifts your spirits.
The area around the brick warehouse features a range of large shopping malls, including umie. You can enjoy shopping here as well!
Hotels near Kobe Harborland
Hotels near Kobe Brick Warehouse
7. Sannomiya-Motomachi Area: Discover the Unique Fashion District
Torwest
The shopping area Torwest, located between Sannomiya Station and Motomachi Station, is home to charming little boutiques, thrift shops, and cafes nestled in cozy alleys. It's a perfect spot for leisurely strolls while shopping!
A short walk south from Motomachi and Nankin-machi will take you to the stylish Sakaemachi Area, which has a distinctly different vibe. This area features a collection of shops, including boutique shops, retro buildings converted into lifestyle stores, galleries, and cafes.
8. Explore Kobe's History
The former foreign settlement, known as the Old Foreign Concessions, was the residence of foreigners involved in trade after the opening of Kobe Port.
While the previously mentioned Ijinkan area had both foreigners and Japanese living together, this settlement was primarily inhabited by foreigners.
Picture courtesy of KOBE TOURISM BUREAU
Today, the area has transformed into a hub for luxury brand stores and high-end apparel shops. There are also open-air cafes where you can enjoy an elegant afternoon moment.
Hotels near Former Settlement/Daimarumae Station
9. Mt. Maya: An Unforgettable Night View
Picture courtesy of KOBE TOURISM BUREAU
Kobe’s night view is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Night Views. Specifically the night view from an observation point near the top of Mt. Maya. The easy access from Kobe’s center makes it a popular spot, especially for dates.
You can even see the Osaka area from here if the weather is clear. During winter you can see all the way to Kansai International Airport. Kobe’s night view is also called the "Ten Million Dollar Night View," referring to the cost of maintaining the number of lights you are able to see from the observation deck.
10. Savor Delicious Kobe Beef
If you come to Kobe, the home of Kobe Beef, you should definitely try it! Kobe Beef is a special kind of meat from the Tajima cattle in the Hyogo Prefecture. It has to be certified by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association to be called Kobe beef.
Misono is the birthplace of Teppanyaki steak and a place where you can indulge in the highest-grade steak to your heart's content.
Kobe Tanryu is a Kobe beef specialty restaurant located in Sannomiya-Motomachi (central Kobe) operated by the Kissho Group. Here you can enjoy high-grade Kobe beef at a low cost. The price is around 3000 yen for a Kobe beef lunch set.
If you would like to try something different than steak, Hiroshige Gyudon is another recommended. Here you can try the luxurious Kobe Beef version of the classic Japanese beef bowl.
Read also
11. Take a Break at a Trendy Cafe in Sannomiya
There are plenty of cafes around Kobe, blending perfectly with the sophisticated atmosphere of the city.
Cafe Freundlieb is a cafe located inside a building that once used to be a church. Built for the Christians visiting from the port, it survived through both the Second World War and the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.
There are also Injinkan that have been converted into cafes. This is the Kitano Injinkan Branch of Starbucks Coffee. Here you can experience drinking coffee in a century-old Injinkan. Many cafes in Kobe are not only trendy but many of them also have a deep history.
12. Shinkaichi Area: Experience Everyday Life in a Retro Area
For those wanting to experience everyday life in Kobe, you have to look no further than the Shinkaichi Area. Once hosting an array of cinemas and theaters, it used to be one of Kobe’s most bustling areas.
It still offers many retro buildings, locally loved cafes, and shopping areas making it an area with a lot of history. This area can show you a different side of Kobe.
Hotels near Shinkaichi Shopping Street
13. Nada Area - Try Freshly Made Sake
The Nada area in Hyogo Prefecture is home to a large concentration of sake breweries and is famous for producing the largest Japanese sake amount in Japan.
Established more than 270 years ago, the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery includes the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum. The warehouse was previously used for sake production and now hosts an easy-to-follow exhibition of the sake production process. The entry is free and at the tasting area, you can try and buy freshly brewed sakes!
Hotels near Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
14. Arima Osen Area: Heal Your Fatigue at Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Town
Arima Onsen is Japan's most ancient hot spring town, dating back to over 1000 years ago. This hot spring town is only 1km squared and very compact including an array of hot spring resort inns, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Picture courtesy of KOBE TOURISM BUREAU
This is Arima Onsen’s famous Golden Spring which has a uniquely reddish brown color. Although the source of this hot spring is clear, it contains a lot of iron which oxidizes and changes color when exposed to the air. It is said to heal issues like poor circulation, and lower back, muscle, and joint pain.
If you get some in your mouth you will discover it is extremely salty. One characteristic of water with a high salt concentration is that it has lasting moisturizing effects. Feel free to take time to heal from a day of full travels at Arima Onsen.
An easy way to enjoy Arima Onsen is on a tour. View the following link for more details:
Arima Onsen and Hiking Experience Tour
Hotels near Arima Hot Springs
Read also
15. Mount Rokko Area - Breathe The Fresh Mountain Air
Picture courtesy of KOBE TOURISM BUREAU
Mount Rokko is an area bursting with nature and it is located just a cable car ride away from Arima Onsen.
At Rokkosan Country House you can immerse yourself in the clear air outdoors with barbecues and activities in the Rokkonsan Field. And at Rokkosan Pasture you can play with animals as well as try fresh milk, cheese, and ice cream, making it perfect for families.
How to Get to Kobe
From Osaka and Kyoto
The fastest trains take 21 minutes from Osaka (on the JR Kobe Line Rapid Train - 410 yen) and 52 minutes from Kyoto (on the JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid - 1,080 yen) to the JR Sannomiya Station. Utilize your Japan Rail Pass when traveling to save yen.
From Kansai International Airport
If you are traveling from Kansai International Airport, we recommend using a bus.
From Kansai Terminal 1
Leave the International Arrivals lobby and head to bus stop 6 where you can ride the Kobe Sannomiya - Rokko Island bound bus. The travel time is around 65 minutes.
From Kansai Terminal 2
Leave the Arrivals lobby and head to bus stop 4 where you can ride the Kobe Sannomiya - Rokko Island bound bus. The travel time is around 1 hour 20 minutes.
Please use the ticket machines available at the bus stop.
Ticket Cost: One way: 2,000 yen (adult) / 1,000 yen (child), Return Discount: 3,140 yen (adult)
Hotels in Kobe
Kobe boasts excellent hotels and guesthouses. Guesthouse Maya is located near Nada Station, 1 stop from Sannomiya Station. With a local shopping arcade nearby, it is popular for with those who want to experience daily life in Kobe.
Kobe’s Peanuts Hotel near Sannomiya station opened in August 2018. With a different concept in every room, you might just feel like you entered the world of Snoopy and friends.
Hotels near PEANUTS HOTEL
Read also
FAQ
Is it worth visiting Kobe, Japan?
Visiting Kobe, Japan is a rewarding experience for travelers seeking a blend of history, culinary delights, scenic beauty, and relaxation. The city's historic charm shines through districts like Kitano with its Western-style architecture and landmarks like the Ikuta Shrine. Food enthusiasts can savor world-renowned Kobe beef while exploring a variety of culinary options. Kobe's picturesque landscapes offer panoramic views from locations like Kobe Port Tower and Mount Rokko. Cultural attractions including Nankinmachi (Chinatown) and Kobe Harborland provide insights into the city's heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, Kobe is a haven for relaxation with luxurious hot spring resorts like Arima Onsen, offering a rejuvenating escape amidst natural mineral-rich waters. With its diverse offerings, Kobe stands out as a must-visit destination, appealing to those in search of culture, culinary experiences, scenic views, and moments of tranquility in Japan.
What is special about Kobe, Japan?
Kobe, Japan, stands out for its exceptional features that make it a special and captivating destination. Renowned for its world-famous Kobe beef, the city offers a culinary experience like no other with its tender, marbled meat that delights food enthusiasts worldwide. Kobe's unique blend of historic Western and Japanese architecture in neighborhoods like Kitano adds to its charm and cultural significance. Nestled between mountains and the sea, Kobe's scenic beauty provides stunning panoramic views from iconic landmarks such as Mount Rokko and Kobe Port Tower. The city's cultural diversity is evident in vibrant areas like Nankinmachi and Kobe Harborland, offering a mix of traditional charm and modern attractions. Finally, with the luxurious Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts, Kobe provides a tranquil retreat for relaxation and wellness amidst mineral-rich waters and serene natural surroundings. Together, these special attributes make Kobe a standout destination offering a diverse and unforgettable experience for travelers exploring Japan.
How long do I need in Kobe?
The duration of your visit to Kobe can vary depending on your interests and the depth of exploration you seek. A day trip is ideal for a quick glimpse of the city's highlights like Kobe Harborland and the Kitano district. If you desire a more relaxed experience, consider an overnight stay or a weekend to immerse yourself in Kobe's attractions, dining scene, and hot springs. For a comprehensive exploration and a deeper dive into the city's culture, cuisine, and surroundings, plan for 2-3 days or more to fully appreciate Kobe's offerings. Tailor the duration of your stay based on your specific interests, whether it be savoring Kobe beef, visiting historical landmarks, enjoying scenic views, or indulging in a tranquil hot spring retreat, to make the most of your time in this captivating city.
What food is Kobe famous for?
Kobe is famous for its premium Wagyu beef, specifically known as Kobe beef. This highly sought-after beef is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality, tenderness, and rich marbling, resulting in a unique and luxurious dining experience. Kobe beef is prized for its exquisite flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, often prepared and served in various dishes such as steak, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and teppanyaki.
In addition to Kobe beef, the city is known for its diverse culinary scene, offering an array of fresh seafood from the nearby Seto Inland Sea, delicious street food specialties like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake), as well as a variety of regional and international cuisines found in Kobe's numerous restaurants, cafes, and food markets. With its reputation for high-quality ingredients and culinary expertise, Kobe is a food lover's paradise that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
What is Kobe most famous for?
Kobe, Japan, is renowned for several distinctive features that contribute to its global fame. Foremost among these is its premium Kobe beef, celebrated for its exceptional quality and marbling, offering a luxurious dining experience for visitors. The city's picturesque harbor and iconic Kobe Port Tower form a notable backdrop, symbolizing Kobe's maritime heritage and modernity. Kobe is also recognized for its resilience and recovery efforts following the Great Hanshin Earthquake, showcasing a remarkable transformation and revitalization. With a rich cultural tapestry that includes the historic Kitano district, vibrant Nankinmachi Chinatown, and diverse architectural landscapes, Kobe presents a blend of tradition and modernity, making it a captivating destination that reflects Japan's unique historical and contemporary charm.
Is Kobe closer to Osaka or Kyoto?
Kobe is closer to Osaka than it is to Kyoto. In terms of geographical proximity, Kobe is located to the southwest of Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture, making it a neighboring city to Osaka. The distance between Kobe and Osaka is relatively short compared to the distance between Kobe and Kyoto.
Kobe to Osaka: The distance between Kobe and Osaka is approximately 30-40 kilometers, depending on the specific locations within each city. Traveling between Kobe and Osaka is convenient and can be easily done by train or other modes of public transportation.
Kobe to Kyoto: On the other hand, the distance between Kobe and Kyoto is around 60-70 kilometers. While Kobe is not far from Kyoto, it is closer in proximity to Osaka.
Given its proximity to Osaka, Kobe is often considered a part of the Kansai region along with Osaka and Kyoto, and the cities are well-connected by efficient transportation networks, allowing for easy travel between these locations.
A Two Day Tour Through Kobe
Kobe is very compact and many of Kobe's main spots are located in the Sannomiya-Motomachi area, so two days can be more than enough to just take a look around.
In the morning of the first day, you start by heading over to the Injinkan in the Kitano Area. This area has a lot of hills, so it’s best to go while you still have all of your energy. You can have some Kobe Beef for lunch and in the afternoon why not head to Torwest or the Sannomiya Center Street? If you decide to go shopping around Sakaemachi and Nankinmachi, make sure not to miss the Bay Area’s romantic night views in the evening.
On the second day, let's go to Arima Onsen. Enjoy public hot springs and spend a moment at one of Arima’s old cafes or standing bars.
Read also
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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