Points to do in Kobe, Japan
Whereas it couldn’t have the standing and quirkiness of Tokyo, or the historic previous and custom of Kyoto, the city of Kobe deserves a spot in your Japan journey itinerary. On this Kobe journey data, we share just a few of the fulfilling points to do in Kobe, from dipping your toes in historic scorching springs to sampling the delicious wagyu beef that shares its title.
If that’s your first time learning regarding the metropolis of Kobe, you are not alone.
Kobe is simply not typically ranked extreme on the guidelines of areas to go to in Japan. It’s normally missed and most truly underrated. We hope to change that with this Kobe weblog submit.
Located 30 km (19 miles) west of Osaka, many friends will journey to Kobe as a day journey from Osaka or Kyoto. Do you have to don’t have a number of time, this might be your best option.
After we visited Japan once more in 2009, that was our technique. We made Kyoto our home base and took day journeys to Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima. The Japanese rail system is fast and surroundings pleasant, so it’s easy to cowl a number of flooring.
Nonetheless, if in case you have got just a few days in Kobe, you’ll uncover a great deal of fulfilling and attention-grabbing points to keep up you busy and entertained. This weblog submit highlights the problems we did all through our three days in Kobe.
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Related submit – 25 Japan journey ideas for first timers
1. Try some delicious Kobe Beef
First on the guidelines of points to do in Kobe is to indulge throughout the delicacy that shares it’s title – Kobe beef.
Till, in any case, you don’t eat meat. If that’s you, skip to the next recommendation.
Kobe is famous for wagyu beef, arguably one of the best decrease of beef on the earth, which comes from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle. People journey from far and in depth to type this mouth-watering, perfectly-marbled beef.
Very like ingesting Champagne in Champagne, France or sipping port wine in Porto, Portugal, you must attempt Kobe Beef in Kobe. There are explicit tips about what beef might be labeled as true Kobe Beef and Kobe is the place you’ll uncover the precise deal.
The second you step off the follow at Kobe-Sannomiya Station you are reminded that Kobe Beef is a big deal in these parts. Indicators and advertisements are scattered all by means of the city promoting various strategies to indulge your self, from Kobe beef teppanyaki to Kobe beef sushi.
Kobe beef is an expensive decrease of meat, so your journey worth vary will dictate the simplest option to experience this celebrated Japanese delicacies. Extreme-end steakhouses provide multi-course meals that serve various cuts and sorts of wagyu beef. Go ahead and splurge; you’re worth it!
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Most consuming locations that serve Kobe beef could have a black cow statue exterior the restaurant. That’s the Japanese Black, which is the breed of Japanese beef cattle generally called wagyu.
Kobe beef sushi
Many ramen and sushi consuming locations in Kobe will serve Kobe beef sushi. Do you have to’re not involved about dropping giant coin at a flowery Kobe beef restaurant, beef sushi is an inexpensive technique to sample the merchandise.
A single piece of Kobe beef nigiri costs 800 Yen (approx $10.00 CAD).
Kobe Beef Ramen
There are quite a few strategies to get the tasty wagyu in your abdomen. The above was captured at a small ramen restaurant in Kobe that was advisable by buddies.
This miso ramen dish is served with 4 other ways to eat Kobe beef.
Above is {a photograph} of Kobe beef ramen Yazawa. It’s small, so that you could be miss it.
2. Kobe Port Tower
Basically essentially the most recognizable landmark in Kobe is the Kobe Port Tower. The 354 foot tower has numerous assertion flooring that offer 360 diploma panoramic views of the city, harbor and Mount Rokko.
Kobe Port Tower is open 12 months spherical. Counting on whilst you journey to Kobe, the right time to go to the Port Tower assertion deck is just sooner than sunset. City sparkles at night.
Admission to the Port Tower is 700 yen for adults ($9.00 CAD) and 300 yen for teenagers ($4.00).
Additional knowledge regarding the Kobe Tower proper right here.
3. Meriken Park
Meriken Park is a waterfront park positioned throughout the Kobe port area. It is home to a couple of Kobe’s most iconic construction, along with the Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum (pictured above) and Meriken Park Oriental Resort.
The Kobe Maritime Museum can be home to Kawasaki Good Events World, a museum dedicated to the 100+ 12 months historic previous of Kawasaki and it’s many merchandise, along with Shinkansen trains, jet planes, helicopters and bikes. Additional knowledge regarding the museum proper right here.
Moreover, you’ll uncover the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park on the east side of Meriken Park.
The Kobe Japan earthquake, or Good Hanshin earthquake, occurred on January 17, 1995 throughout the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture. The earthquake killed 5,378 people, damaged or destroyed 152,000 buildings, and is claimed to the most costly earthquake ever to strike an metropolis area [source].
4. Mosaic Ferris Wheel
Do you have to’re visiting Kobe with kids, the Mosaic Ferris Wheel at Kobe Harborland is a fulfilling train. Very like the assertion deck on the Port Tower, the Mosaic Large Ferris Wheel presents 360 diploma views of the waterfront, port, metropolis and mountains.
The Kobe Large Ferris Wheel operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Each expertise costs 800 yen for adults ($10.00 CAD). The air conditioned gondolas can match as a lot as 4 people.
All smiles contained within the Mosaic Ferris Wheel at Harborland.
Panoramic views of the Port Tower and Mt. Rokko from contained within the Mosaic Ferris Wheel.
Mosaic Ferris Wheel has over 120,000 LEDs that positioned on a gift at night.
5. Kobe Harborland
Kobe Harborland is a giant shopping for superior positioned on the waterfront all through from the port, coping with Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park Oriental Resort.
Harborland has change into one among Kobe’s prime vacationer factors of curiosity with over 200 retailers, consuming locations, museums and leisure.
Do you have to solely have one night in Kobe, we advocate you go to Kobe Harborland and dine at one in all many waterfront consuming locations at Mosaic. The Fisherman’s Market at Kobe Mosaic is type of trendy.
The Mosaic boardwalk is arguably the right place in Kobe to have a look at the sunset.
Kobe Harborland is home to Anpanman Theme park and Kobe Anpanman Children’s Museum, positioned behind the Mosaic Ferris Wheel. It moreover has video arcades and video video games room, so that you just’re kids could have masses to keep up them entertained.
Whenever you’re throughout the neighborhood, take a stroll down Kobe Gaslight Avenue and check out the Ninth-century purple brick warehouses known as Renga Soko.
We ate dinner on the conveyor belt sushi restaurant at Kobe Harborland (moreover known as rotation sushi, sushi follow and kaiten sushi).
It’s a fulfilling and simple technique to sample various sushi. Not solely does the sushi come out quickly, you probably can actually see the objects as they transfer your desk. That’s final for first timers who’re nervous about trying sushi and raw fish for the first time.
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6. Kobe Bay Cruise
Get a novel perspective of this bustling port metropolis by taking a Kobe Bay Cruise. Cruises sail throughout the bay and ultimate about 40 minutes.
The boat is docked at Meriken Park beside the purple Port Tower. See {photograph} above. You can purchase tickets straight on the dock. Boats depart every hour, so you have gotten selections.
One other selection is the Kobe Concerto cruise.
The ship is docked in entrance of Harbourland (see {photograph} underneath) and presents a consuming experience whereas cruising throughout the bay. You probably could be part of a lunch cruise that typically departs at 12:00 noon, tea cruise that departs at 2:30 PM, twilight cruise that departs at 5:15 PM and a night cruise that departs at 7:30 PM.
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7. Rokko Cable Vehicle
The Rokko Cable Vehicle is a Japanese funicular that transports guests to the very best of Mt. Rokko. The cable automotive opened in 1932 and is probably going one of many prime Kobe vacationer factors of curiosity.
It takes 10 minutes to get from the Rokko Cable Shita station, positioned on the bottom of the mountain, to Rokko Sanjo station on the prime of the mountain. The elevation purchase is roughly 500 metres.
It’s best to get the Rokkosan Vacationer transfer for 1200 yen. This transfer consists of bus fare to get to Rokko Cable Shita station, the cable automotive expertise, and the bus to the Mount Rokko Tourism Area. Additional knowledge proper right here.
Outdoor the Rokko Cable Vehicle station. That’s on the bottom of Mount Rokko.
8. Rokko Yard Terrace
Rokko Yard Terrace, pictured above, is the appropriate place to get panoramic views of the city, ocean and mountains.
It’s a vacationer superior with viewing platforms, an assertion tower, numerous consuming locations and small stores that promote souvenirs, ice cream, drinks and snacks.
Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace
For a singular lunch, go to the Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace. Grill modern meats, seafood and greens on a scorching cast-iron plate that sits in your consuming desk.
It’s a fulfilling consuming experience for everyone.
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Map of points to do on Mount Rokko in Kobe Japan.
You probably can merely spend a full day visiting the small vacationer factors of curiosity on Mount Rokko. It has a botanical yard, forest journey park with zipline and treetop obstacle course, the music area museum, small golf course and the Rokko Yard Terrace.
The beehive development throughout the above {photograph} is the Rokko Shidare Observatory.
The best views of Kobe and Hyogo Prefecture are found on the prime of Mount Rokko.
9. Rokko-Arima Ropeway
The Rokko-Arima Ropeway is an aerial tramway that travels 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles) from Rokko Sancho station to Arima Onsen. You probably can stroll from the Rokko Vacationer Area to the Rokko Sancho station, so it’s a easy addition to your Kobe day journey.
The a method journey from Mount Rokko to Arima Onsen takes 12 minutes and costs 1030 yen ($13.00 CAD). Spherical journey tickets worth 1850 yen ($23.00).
You may also have to go to the Maya Ropeway and Shin-Kobe Ropeway all through your go to to Kobe.
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Rokko Sancho station on the prime of the Rokko-Arima Ropeway.
Contained within the aerial tram descending from Mount Rokko to Arima Onsen.
Lush mountain landscapes from the Rokko-Arima ropeway.
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10. Arima Onsen
One of many very important trendy Kobe factors of curiosity is Arima Onsen. We’re instructed it’s Japan’s oldest and most well-known scorching spring metropolis.
Wandering the slim streets of Arima Onsen presents a glimpse into Japan’s historic earlier. It’s talked about that emperors and samurai would go to Arima Onsen to soak in its therapeutic scorching springs.
Arima Onsen is accessible by taking the Rokko Cable Vehicle and Rokko-Arima Ropeway, which makes for a fulfilling day journey from Kobe. Plan for a full day when you want to embrace time on Mount Rokko. Or hold in a single day at a standard Japanese ryokan.
There are solely two public tub properties in Arima Onsen. Some ryokan lodges will open their private baths to friends by means of the day. Admission ranges between 500 and 2500 yen ($6.00 CAD to $30.00 CAD).
See a list of scorching spring baths in Arima Onsen proper right here.
Do you have to’re travelling with kids, it’s important to know that there are explicit tips for bathing at Japanese onsen. We weren’t allowed to clean as a family on the general public tub dwelling at Arima Onsen (ladies and men cannot tub collectively, even with kids). Maintain this in ideas and plan accordingly.
Do you have to’re not wanting to spend time at a bathe dwelling or ryokan, you probably can soak your toes at Taiko no Ashiyu. It’s a free public foot tub in Arima Onsen.
It is positioned exterior Kin no Yu (Arima golden Scorching-spring public spa).
The water is saved at 42.3 diploma Celsius, so it’s scorching! I don’t suppose any of us lasted longer than one minute.
Town of Arima Onsen has small stores, consuming locations and shrines.
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11. Nankin-machi – Kobe Chinatown
Better than 100 consuming locations and retailers make up Kobe’s Chinatown, additionally known as Nankin-machi.
It’s one among Japan’s largest Chinatowns, although it solely covers a geographical area of roughly 200 x 100 meters.
The lively streets of Nankinmachi see a relentless stream of people, notably throughout the evening. This could be a good spot to sample various street meals in Kobe, along with steamed dumplings, pork buns, Peking duck wraps, noodle soups and deep fried croquettes.
Kobe Chinatown has numerous street meals distributors with small bites available on the market.
Tasty steamed pork buns available on the market in Chinatown.
Chinatown is a fulfilling place to experience Kobe at night.
The long-lasting gazebo in Nankinmachi Sq. in Kobe Chinatown.
Choanmon Gate welcomes friends to Kobe Chinatown.
Above is the ornate Seian-mon Gate in Nankin-machi.
12. Motomachi Buying Avenue
One among many points we love about Japan is its pedestrian solely shopping for streets. Motomachi Buying Avenue is a shopping for district in central Kobe with tons of of stores and consuming locations.
The favored street is positioned throughout the center of Kobe shut to a couple of its prime vacationer factors of curiosity, paying homage to Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown), Kobe Metropolis Museum, Meriken Park and Harborland.
It stretches between Motomachi Station and Kobe Station, so it’s merely accessible from wherever throughout the metropolis.
13. Ikuta Shrine
Basically essentially the most well-known temple in Kobe is Ikuta Shrine, talked about to be one in all many oldest shrines in Japan.
Ikuta Shrine is centrally positioned and simple to entry by foot from Sannomiya Station.
There are quite a few temples, shrines and tori gates all through the grounds at Ikuta Shrine.
Plan to spend on the very least one hour exploring the this gorgeous shrine. The temple is free to enter.
Above is the precept entrance gate to Ikuta Shrine.
Row of vibrant orange torii gates inside Ikuta Shrine.
The temples and shrines in Japan are excellent and worth visiting, even for many who’re not religious.
14. Kobe Oji Zoo
The Kobe Oji Zoo is conveniently positioned numerous follow stations from central Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Admission to the zoo is barely 600 yen for adults (approx $7.00 CAD) and kids are free, making it an inexpensive family train in Kobe.
The zoo is home to over 850 animals and birds from 150 completely totally different species, along with not usually seen animals like the big panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, Amur tiger, polar bear and snow-leopard.
Discover out about Oji Zoo and see a list of animals proper right here.
The big panda is the star attraction at Kobe Oji Zoo.
An unusual amusement park on the Kobe Zoo
The amusement park inside Kobe Zoo is attention-grabbing, to say the least. We anticipate just a bit weird and wacky from Japan. It’s what makes Japan such a fascinating nation to go to, in our opinion.
As shortly as we entered the amusement park we had been instantly transported once more in time. Whereas the zoo has a formidable line up of animals, the park providers appear to have been left behind.
Watch this temporary video from the Kobe Zoo amusement park.
Study further – The bizarre amusement park at Kobe Oji Zoo
15. Rugby Match at Kobe Misaki Stadium
Even for many who’re not a rugby fan, it’s fulfilling to have a look at a reside sporting event at Kobe Misaki Stadium.
Additionally known as Noevir Stadium Kobe, it has a retractable roof and functionality of 30,000 people. It’s home to the Kobelco Steelers, a rugby union Prime League employees. Check the employees schedule earlier to your go to to see if the employees is participating in.
The stadium can be home to Vissel Kobe, a Japanese expert soccer membership throughout the J1 League. It’s the very best tier of soccer in Japan. Kobe Misaki Stadium hosted matches on the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
We had been fortunate to have a look at a reside Rugby World Cup match proper right here. The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia.
Look at our experience on the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Inside Kobe Misaki Stadium on the Japan Rugby World Cup.
Totally different points to do in Kobe
All through our first journey to Kobe, sooner than having kids, we visited these factors of curiosity which could be moreover worth visiting.
- Nada Sake District – sample sake at various Sake Breweries in Kobe. Additional knowledge proper right here.
- Shin-Kobe Ropeway – positioned beside the Shin-Kobe follow station. Do you have to’re taking a day journey from to Kobe to Osaka or Kyoto, you may probably arrive at this follow station. We advocate you take this cable instead of the Rokko Cablecar, to maximise your time.
- Nunobiki Waterfall – for many who’d barely go for a hike throughout the mountains, skip the Pores and skin-Kobe Ropeway and hike to this 43 meter waterfall. The trail moreover passes the Miharashi Observatory, which presents good views of the city.
- Kitano Ijinkan – moreover positioned near the Kobe Shinkansen station, this historic district is home to numerous abroad residences and mansions, generally called Ijinkan. A couple of of them have reworked into public museums. Additional knowledge proper right here.
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Have you ever ever visited Kobe? What did we miss?
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