Kobe is one of the more underrated cities in Japan. However, it is only a 30-minute train ride from Osaka station or 1 hour from Kyoto station, so if you happen to be in the Kansai region, why not do a day trip in Kobe? Kobe is famous for being a port city. What makes Kobe special is its variety of sceneries, from the port to the beautiful mountain backdrop. In Japan, Kobe is regarded as the stylish city for its European style architecture.
Kobe Harborland
A large multi-complex facility facing the sea where you can feel the port city of Kobe
Everyone from children to adults will enjoy this amusement zone with facilities including the large shopping mall umie, the Anpanman Museum, the huge Ferris wheel, the brick warehouses and Gaslight Street.
Phone
078-360-3639
Price
Varies depending on the facility
Website
www.harborland.co.jp
Mt. Maya
Enjoy that night view of Kobe from Mt. Maya, one of Japan’s Three Great Nightscapes
The Rokko Mountains are the symbol of Kobe. Among them, there is the soaring peak of Mt. Maya at 609 m where you can enjoy a glittering night view not unlike that of a jewel box from the observation point.
Mt. Maya is located in the center of the Rokko Mountains, which have been loved by tourists for activities such as hiking. You can easily make your way up from the city to the peak by using the Maya Cable way and the Maya Rope way, known together as the Maya View Line, so people who are not into mountain climbing can rest easy. From inside the Maya View Line, you can get a panoramic view of Osaka Bay, and the line is that little-known spot where you can get that close-up feeling of nature on the...
Price
- Adult: 800 JPY
- Child: 440 JPY
The prices are for a one-way trip for the entire cable car and ropeway
Website
feel-kobe.jp
Mt. Rokko
The landmark of the city of Kobe, which is known as one of the Three Major Nightscapes of Japan
Within the range of mountains that spans Kobe, Nishinomiya and Takarazuka City, the night view from Kikuseidai on Mt. Maya has been termed one of the Three Major Nightscapes of Japan. There are also plenty of tourist facilities, including a botanical garden and other leisure areas.
Business hours
- Everyday
Price
- Free
Website
ja.wikipedia.org
Nunobiki Falls
A dynamic waterfall which can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from Shin-Kobe Station
Nunobiki Falls is made up of four waterfalls: Ontaki, Mentaki, Meototaki and Tsutsumigataki of which Ontaki is the highest at 43m.
Business hours
- Everyday (12:00 AM ~ 12:00 AM )
24 hours a day
Price
- Free
Website
www.city.kobe.lg.jp
Kobe Port Tower
A Kobe landmark from where you can get that grandly panoramic view of Kobe Bay, the Rokko Mountains and the city
There is a revolving café which makes a full rotation every 20 minutes so that you can enjoy the surrounding scenery along with a skywalk with a transparent floor. At night, you can also enjoy the $10 million night view of Kobe.
Phone
078-391-6751
Price
- Adult: 700 JPY
- Child: 300 JPY
Website
www.kobe-port-tower.com
Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
A park where you can observe the earthquake damage to the port of Kobe and the following reconstruction process
Part of the Meriken Wharf (60m breakwater) that was damaged in the Great Hanshin Earthquake has been preserved in the state from that time. The park is a place which shows the ferocity of the quake through models, video and photographic panels.
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 9:00 PM )
Phone
078-327-8983
Price
- Free
Website
www.feel-kobe.jp
Kitano-cho
Kitano-cho became the residential area for foreigners following the opening of Kobe Bay, and today there are 30 Western-style houses that are still preserved
Within this area which has been recognized as an Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings, Western-style houses which were built in the Meiji and Taisho eras still stand in their original form alongside restaurants, cafés and boutiques representing many countries.
Phone
078-251-8360
Price
Varies depending on the facility
Website
www.kobeijinkan.com
Kobe Oji Zoo
Japan’s only zoo where you can see both giant pandas and koalas
You can get close to approximately 140 species of animals and enjoy the popular events of feeding time, training time, polar bears swimming about and other fun activities.
Phone
078-861-5624
Price
- Adult: 600 JPY
Website
www.kobe-ojizoo.jp
Kobe City Hall Observation Deck
A free observation deck where you can enjoy the superb view of Kobe from the 24th floor of its city hall 100m above the ground
From the observation deck facing Flower Road, enjoy both the views of Port Island on the sea and Meriken Park along with Kitano-cho and Mt. Rokko on the mountain side. There are also a café and a restaurant.
Phone
078-322-5065
Price
- Free
Website
www.city.kobe.lg.jp
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
75,000 herbs and plants representing approximately 200 species bloom in Japan’s biggest herb garden
Reach the herb garden via a 10-minute ropeway ride with a view of the Kobe-Keihanshin area below you. You will then be welcomed by herbs and flowers in a place where you will also find a restaurant with herb cuisine and a café with a wonderful view of the landscape below.
Business hours
- Everyday
Ropeway
Every day from 7/20-8/31 and weekends/holidays from 9/1-11/30 9:30am-8:15pm
All other days 9:30am-4:45pm
Herb Garden
Every day from 7/20-8/31 and weekends/holidays from 9/1-11/30 10:00am-8:30pm
All other days 10:00am-5:00pm
Phone
078-271-1160
Price
- Adult: 1400 JPY
- Child: 700 JPY
The above refers to a round-trip ticket
Website
www.kobeherb.com
Sannomiya Center Street
Kobe’s prominent shopping street with stores selling fashion, accessories, miscellaneous goods, etc.
Sannomiya Center Street with its latest trends attracts 100,000 visitors on a holiday. It extends from east to west from Flower Road to Koikawa-suji Road. Because it is a covered arcade, it’s convenient even during rainy days.
Phone
078-393-3358
Website
www.kobe-sc.jp
Ikuta Shrine
An 1800-year-old shrine located right in the center of the commercial area of Sannomiya
The name of Kobe was derived from the original name of Kanbe, the family protecting the Ikuta god, and the shrine is one of the three great shrines of Kobe beloved by its citizens. It is very popular as a shrine for matchmaking.
Business hours
- Everyday
24 hours a day
Phone
075-254-7414
Price
- Free
Website
www.ikutajinja.or.jp
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Triple Lights is a company that wants to help tourists in Japan to have a better experience visiting the country. If you want to know more about how can the company helps you, visit the website or contact one of the guides.
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