Kobe
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Kobe is the eighth largest city in Japan and famous for its delicious beef. It is one of the cities where Japanese and Western culture have been combined, giving it a unique feel from other places in the country. Kobe is also a great place for people who enjoy coffee and sweets.
Travel tip #1: Although Kobe is a major city in Japan, I personally felt it was not as appealing as other cities. I recommend spending one or two days maximum in Kobe if you are on a tight travel schedule while in Japan.
Places of Interest
Sannomiya Shopping Street: “Sannomiya Center-Gai” is a shopping street that’s about 550 meters long. It is located along the JR line between Sannomiya Station and Motomachi Station. It is a major shopping area for locals, especially for young people.
Ikuta Road: Ikuta Road features shops selling all kinds of goods including clothes, bags, shoes, and food. Further up the road are many restaurants where you can try the city’s coveted Kobe Beef. It’s right outside Sannomiya Station and is a good place to wander around.
Mount Rokko: Mount Rokko is the highest peak in the Rokko mountain range. You can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Hanshin region from the mountain. Going to the peak for sunset is a popular activity.
Nunobiki Falls: Noted as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, Nunobiki Waterfall is a short hike from Shin-Kobe JR Station. A 20-minute upward hike through the trees takes you to the falls. Following the signs, you can access the Miharashi Observatory for nice views of the city on a clear day.
Nunobiki Herb Garden: At the top of Mount Rokko sits the Nunobiki Herb Garden, one of Japan’s largest herb gardens with hundreds of different plants. Spring is one of the best times to visit as many of the flowers and herbs are in full bloom. Access the Herb Garden by taking the Shin-Kobe Ropeway or by hiking up the mountain from Nunobiki Falls.
Shin-Kobe Ropeway: Take in the view of the Hanshin Region from the ropeway. Shin-Kobe Ropeway transports you up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. It passes by Nunobiki Falls and the Nunobiki Herb Garden. A roundtrip ticket, including admission to the Herb Garden, costs 1,400 JPY for adults while one-way tickets are slightly cheaper.
Nankinmachi: Kobe’s Chinatown, referred to as Nankinmachi, is much smaller compared to that of Yokohama, but the street food is just as good. Although small, the streets are quiet packed with domestic and international tourists.
Kitano-cho: This European-style neighborhood has quaint shops along pretty stone-paved streets. The buildings and architecture are predominantly Western in style due to the historic settlement of foreign merchants and diplomats after the Port of Kobe was opened. Some of the “mansions” are now accessible as museums.
Travel tip #2: Some other notable spots to hit up while in Kobe include Kobe Tower, the Sake District, Mount Maya, and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. If you’re looking for onsen (hot springs), the Arima Onsen Town in the mountains is a perfect getaway.
Food
Honolulu Coffee Co.: If you’re looking for a solid cup of coffee in a cute setting, Honolulu Coffee Co. is the perfect place to stop by. They import their coffee beans from Hawaii, which gives their coffee a very special aroma and taste. Their Kona Blend did not disappoint!
Kobe Beef: A trip to Kobe would not be complete without tasting the area’s famous beef, and it is definitely worth the splurge. There are several well-known restaurants, like Steakland, Mouriya Honten, and Kokubu. Mouriya Honten and Kokubu both take reservations, which is great if you like to plan out your day and don’t want to waste time waiting.
Mouriya Honten: I ate Kobe Beef here and was highly impressed with the service, ambience, quality, and professionalism. The beef melted in like butter even though I ordered one of the cheaper cuts—still the best beef I’ve ever eaten! Mouriya has been in business for over 130 years and orders their Kobe Beef daily from their privately contracted ranch which meets all of the company’s standards.
Peking duck wrap: Nankanmachi’s street food is all pretty good, but my personal favorite was the Peking duck wrap. In front of one of the shops, they were carving the duck and serving it fresh in the wrap. One wrap cost 200 JPY and was the perfect size to get a taste of the succulent duck.
Cafe Freundlieb: A German-style bakery and cafe located just outside of Kitano-cho that specializes in sweets and breads. This cafe is unique as it’s located inside of a former church building. On the 1st floor you’ll find their bakery shop and on the 2nd floor is the cafe. As of May 2019, Freundlieb only has stores in Kobe, Japan.
Cheesecake: Kobe is most famous for its beef, but it’s also quite famous for its desserts. The top dessert is cheesecake, with Kobe cheesecake unlike anything you’ve tried. Every restaurant, cafe, and bakery has its own recipe. Kannonya, Cafe Keshipearl, and Konditorei are a few of the most popular to try while in Kobe.
Kazamidori fluffy cheesecake ice cream: This is a souvenir shop that sells various sweets from Kobe, but their original “Kazamidori cheesecake” is quite popular. Made with flavorful Camembert and cream cheese, it has a rich and smooth taste. They mix this into ice cream, making a wonderful treat.
Lavender soft cream: While admiring the beautiful flowers and herbs at the Nunobiki Herb Garden, be sure to grab a cone of their lavender ice cream. For 350 JPY, you can sample the deep and aromatic flavor of lavender in a rich soft serve ice cream.
Travel tip #3: Kobe Beef is famous around the world as being some of the highest quality and best tasting beef. The cows are specially cared for and only certain cows meet the “Kobe Beef Standard,” which creates high prices for the meat. If you have the budget, I highly recommend eating Kobe Beef while in the city. Note that “wagyu” is the word for beef from Japan while “Kobe Beef” is a type of “wagyu”. You want to choose Kobe Beef!
Transportation and Accommodation
Distances between many of the main tourist attractions and sights in central Kobe are relatively short. If you’re physically-abled, walking is a great way to explore the city.
Train, bus, subway, and taxi are additional ways to get around Kobe. The busiest railway station is Sannomiya Station and acts as a central station for getting around the city. The City Loop Bus connects sites such as Kitano-cho, Nankinmachi, and Meriken Park with both Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya Statons. You can either pay 260 JPY (~$2.40 USD) per ride or opt for a 660 JPY (~$6.30 USD) unlimited day pass. Similarly, the Kobe Subway and Bus Day Pass costs 1,030 JPY (~$10 USD) and grants unlimited access to the city’s subway lines and city buses. However, this pass does not include rides on the City Loop Bus. Both can be purchased at stations within Kobe.
For accommodation, staying in Osaka is a good choice if you want to explore Kobe for only a day or two, as the city is approximately 45 minutes away by local train. If you take the Shinkansen (bullet train), the two cities are a mere 15 minutes apart.
Travel tip #4: Many of the main sightseeing spots in Kobe are quite close together. If you would like to save time, taking a taxi is a wise decision, especially if you are traveling with several people.
Climate
Kobe, like neighboring cities Kyoto and Osaka, experiences four seasons throughout the year. For the most part, the weather is fairly mild and generally pleasant. April and May are the best months to visit, especially to see the different flowers in bloom. Similarly, autumn has nice weather which is complimented by the fall foliage. Rainy season ranges from June through October, in which typhoons can hit and cause poor weather conditions.
