Japan Kobe Eats & Local Secrets: A Tasty Walk Off the Beaten Pathpick up at Kobe Port Terminal)
Higashiyama Food Arcade is known as “Kobe's kitchen” and has long been loved by Kobe citizens.
About 130 stores are lined up along a 300-meter stretch from north to south!It will be a fast-paced 3-hour tour where you can eat, walk, and experience Japanese culture and history.
The lively food arcade stimulates the senses with its lively shouts, appetizing smells, retro designs and so on. It is hard not to be distracted by all the colorful flowers, sundry goods and fresh handmade food!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kobe Port Terminal
- The 3rd floor plaza of Kobe Port Terminal I'll be waiting with a sign that has your name on it. "Pick-up time and location are flexible — just let me know what works best for you!"
Higashiyama Shopping Street
Dive into Kobe's vibrant food scene on this 4-hour private tour! Known as Kobe's kitchen, this food arcade offers a taste of famous street food and homemade delicacies.
Kobe is home to both the sea and mountains, and is actually the most food-rich city in the Kansai region.
Perfect for foodies and adventurous types who want to explore the heart of Kobe's food culture. We will guide you to our carefully selected restaurants! Let's get going!
Famous “kamaboko” stores have been featured in the Michelin Guide. What in the world does it taste like?
A long-established yakitori restaurant that has been in business for 100 years.
A yakitori shop that can only be found in Kobe! Unique cooking method and ingredients! What is the secret?
A very popular restaurant where people wait in line for over an hour! What is the selling point of this restaurant?
Colorful inari sushi. There are three types of rice in Japan. Do you know the difference between them? And what are the ingredients?
And so on.
This is the start of a tour of the kitchen of Kobe, the freshest food in Kansai.
Souvenir time and food encore time
Once your stomach is full, it's time to take your happy hour home.
We will guide you to delicious and special souvenirs that you can only buy here.
You can also have another taste of your favorite food.
Taxi back to Kobe port
We'll take a taxi back to the cruise terminal with plenty of time for boarding.
Ending Point
Kobe Port Terminal
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
・Guide fee
Transportation fees of you and other personal expenses.
Tour Important Information
1)Do not eat breakfast, and eat sparingly the night before as well. You can eat a full meal of very reasonable and fresh food.
2)This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
3)Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
4)Local small shops do not always accept credit cards or any electronic money. Please bring enough cash.
5)Please prepare your own garbage bag (small vinyl bag).
6)Many shops are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.So please let us know in advance if you have any special requests or foods you would like to eat.
7)Please let me know the date and time so that I can be flexible.
8)Please note that I cannot take responsibility for any accidents that occur during the tour. I highly recommend getting travel insurance before you come to Japan.
Important message from the supplier
• Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences.
• Click below to tell us what you are looking for.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Rika N.
Hi, I am Rika. I am in Kobe city now.
Welcome to Rika’s personal guide tour!
I was born in China, group up in Japan, high school was an English course, and majored in Business Administration at Kobe University, so I speak Chinese, Japanese and English!
I like working with people. I worked for a major trading company, competing for first or second place in Japan, for over 10 years. I am currently working for a share houses company. The company manages more than 12 share houses in Kobe. About half of our residents are foreigners from different contries. I really enjoy talking with the people who have various backgrounds around the world.
Kobe is a very convenient place with easy access to Osaka, Nara and Kyoto! It is famous for its traditional culture, old history, wonderful nature and delicious food, like Kobe beef as you know!
So far I have two main tours available.
One is” Eating Tour” at Higashiyama shopping street. Higashiyama Shopping Street is known as “Kobe's kitchen” and has long been loved by Kobe citizens. You can enjoy the local food tour and learn some survival Japanese while you are at it!
The other one is Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, which is one of the world's longest suspension bridges! We can go to the top of the Bridge, 300m over the sea, and enjoy the panoramic view from the top!
Let’s get together to enjoy real Japan! I am waiting for you!
Reviews
Vivien M.
“Personable, Organized & Stylish”
Rika started working with us several days before the tour to verify the days plan and address our concerns. She is super organized and arrived as arranged and whisked us away in a taxi to the rope way. We then enjoyed a private tea ceremony which was a very special experience and later watched our Kobe beef being cooked in front of us. A fantastic day to remember Kobe and Japan. Rika is easy to talk to and open to discussing her life in Japan, as well as explaining and translating for us. Highly recommend her as a guide.
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Rika N.
Dear Vivien、Hans Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. I truly appreciate it. From the moment we met in the lobby, I felt so comfortable with you and Hans. Your kind words about my hat, outfit, and the materials I prepared really meant a lot to me—it made all the effort worthwhile. I’m also very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tea ceremony. The tea master mentioned how quickly you learned, which was wonderful to see. Spending the day with you both was truly a special experience for me as well. Your stories deeply touched me and made the day even more meaningful. Please take good care of yourselves and continue to enjoy each day to the fullest. California sounds like a beautiful place, and I sincerely hope to visit someday with my family. Thank you again, and I hope to see you again in the future. Warm regards, Rika
Jo R.
“Rika's Kobe Shore Excursion”
10/10 Rika, this was a great tour, even though we changed our minds so many times. You accommodated everything we wanted to do and more. The Kobe Beef with Hiroshi will stay with us forever. Your personality, friendliness and caring was always at the forefront and we felt like we were touring with a friend instead of a guide. The views going up to the herb garden are amazing and not to be missed. Thank you.
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Rika N.
Dear Jo and your wonderful family, Thank you so much for your perfect rating — I am truly honored. I imagine that by now you are back home, perhaps enjoying a lovely afternoon tea with the cute spoon you bought at the herb garden! Spending the day with you felt like I was with my own family. I was especially impressed by your three-generation trip — from 25 to 85 years old. I truly believe not many families in the world can share such a special journey together. Jo, as the organizer, you did an amazing job. It must have taken a lot of effort — well done! Grandma Yvonne is such an elegant and charming lady. She reminded me of Rose in Titanic in her later years — graceful and beautiful. I hope I can be like her when I grow older! Uncle John disappeared a few times, but he is clearly full of love and warmth. Elizabeth is very thoughtful and observant — she asked questions that even I couldn’t always answer! I will study harder! And Caytlyn’s horse photos are absolutely stunning! I love horses too, and one day I would love to visit with my family. This is truly one of the most rewarding parts of being a guide — making friends from all over the world. Thank you again, and I hope our paths cross again someday! Warm regards, Rika
Denisa K.
“Great day in Kobe with Rika”
We spent fabulous day in Kobe with Rika. She did her best to accommodate our wishes. We had several dishes and also found out mew facts about japanese culture. Rika took us to the sake brewery and also got tockets for the sunset cruise which was incredible. We were also lucky to meet her son who is a lovely gentleman who also contributed to the amazing experience. Thanks Rika.
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Rika N.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! It was my very first time hosting guests from the Czech Republic, and it became a truly unforgettable experience for us as well. I was honestly impressed by how much you already knew about Japanese culture—sometimes even more than me! And I’ll never forget your notebook full of stamps, that was amazing . I’m so happy you enjoyed the sake brewery and the sunset cruise. It was also a pleasure for my son to meet you. It’s truly wonderful how many people in Europe grow up speaking two or three languages from such a young age—I really admire that. Meeting you was also a great motivation for my son’s studies, and we truly appreciate it. Please come back to Japan again—I would love to see you both in the future! Warm regards, Rika
$125/ per group
More tours by Rika N.
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Kobe Shore Excursion: Scenic Ropeway, Herb Garden, Tea Ceremony & Kobe Beef (Kobe Port Terminal)
*Breathtaking ropeway ride & Herb Garden stroll *Peaceful tea ceremony experience * Famous Kobe beef lunch * Local area shopping or walking * Pick-up & drop-off at Kobe Port Terminal * Private flexible tour with English-speaking guide
Kobe Shore Excursion: Scenic Ropeway, Herb Garden, Tea Ceremony & Kobe Beef (Kobe Port Terminal)
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Japan KOBE BEEF and Japanese Tea Ceremony Tour (pick up at Kobe Port Terminal)
Welcome first-time visitors to Kobe! This beautiful city, set between the sea and mountains, mixes old traditions with modern style. Enjoy delicious Kobe beef and try a traditional tea ceremony to learn about Japanese culture. You will also visit Ikuta Shrine which is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, and the lively China Town and exciting Kobe Harborland. Join us for a fun day full of great food, culture, and unforgettable experiences!
Japan KOBE BEEF and Japanese Tea Ceremony Tour (pick up at Kobe Port Terminal)
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Kobe Shore Excursion:Luxury Kobe Experience-Herb Garden, Hot Spring & Premium Kobe Beef”
Escape the city and soar above Kobe for breathtaking panoramic views on the Nunobiki Ropeway. Explore the fragrant Nunobiki Herb Garden and Perfume & Aroma Museum, then unwind and refresh in a serene natural hot spring surrounded by lush nature. Complete your day with premium Kobe beef in a delicious shabu-shabu meal for an unforgettable sensory journey.
Kobe Shore Excursion:Luxury Kobe Experience-Herb Garden, Hot Spring & Premium Kobe Beef”
Kobe Shore Excursion -Beyond Kobe Beef Shopping Tour: Taste, Shop & Explore ( KOBE PORT TERMINAL)
Discover Kobe beyond its famous beef with this exciting tour! Explore vibrant Harborland’s waterfront shops and stroll through the stylish Mosaic complex with stunning ocean views. Relax at Meriken Park, known for its art and iconic landmarks—perfect for photos. Finally, enjoy shopping at Marina Pia Kobe Outlet Mall, where you’ll find great deals on fashion and souvenirs. This tour blends food, shopping, and seaside charm for an unforgettable Kobe experience!
Kobe Shore Excursion -Beyond Kobe Beef Shopping Tour: Taste, Shop & Explore ( KOBE PORT TERMINAL)
Other Popular Food & Drink Tours in Kobe
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Kobe Japanese SAKE Brewery Tour
Do you like Japanese rice wine (Sake)? There are a thousand sake breweries in Japan. One of the most famous Sake brewery district is located in Kobe and Nishinomiya in the proximity to Osaka. The guide will take you to the Sake brewery district to learn much about the history and food culture of the Japanese sake. Note: Participants must be over 20 years old.
Kobe Japanese SAKE Brewery Tour
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Nada Sake Brewery and Tasting
The Nada area, which stretches from Kobe City to Nishinomiya City, is home to five breweries, and our tour will visit two of them. The sake produced here is made using mineral-rich underground water known as Miyamizu, and is characterized by its powerful flavor and aroma. It's said that the area supplied 80% of the sake consumed in the Edo period. Why not embark on a journey to discover your favorite sake while touring the breweries and learning about and experiencing the history of the city?
Nada Sake Brewery and Tasting
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