When you come to Japan, the best thing to do is to eat Kobe beef! That's why I created a Kobe beef tour.
The moment you taste Kobe beef, its deliciousness and aroma will melt in your mouth.
Kobe Beef Tour Version 2 includes visits to Chinatown, shopping streets, Ikuta Shrine, Nunobiki Herb Garden, and a Kobe beef restaurant.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
China town
- Kobe's Nankinmachi, also known as Kobe Chinatown, is a bustling and vibrant district in the heart of Kobe City. It is one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan and offers a unique blend of Chinese culture and cuisine. Visitors to Nankinmachi can explore narrow streets lined with traditional Chinese architecture, red lanterns, and a wide array of shops and restaurants offering authentic Chinese dishes and souvenirs. The area comes alive with energy during festivals and events, showcasing traditional Chinese performances and vibrant decorations. Nankinmachi is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, providing a taste of China in the heart of Kobe.
Sannomiya shopping street
Sannomiya Center Street, located in the heart of Kobe, Japan, is a bustling and vibrant shopping district known for its wide array of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment options. This lively pedestrian street stretches for approximately 400 meters and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists looking to shop, dine, and explore.
Visitors to Sannomiya Center Street can find a diverse range of stores offering fashion, accessories, cosmetics, electronics, souvenirs, and more. From well-known international brands to local specialty shops, the street caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. Additionally, the street is lined with cozy cafes, trendy restaurants, and eateries serving a mix of Japanese and international cuisine, providing plenty of dining options for shoppers to refuel and relax.
With its convenient location near Sannomiya Station, easy access to public transportation, and a lively mix of shops and eateries, Sannomiya Center Street is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment in Kobe. Whether looking for the latest fashion trends, unique souvenirs, or a delicious meal, visitors to Sannomiya Center Street are sure to find something to suit their tastes and enjoy a memorable experience in the bustling heart of Kobe.
Ikuta shrine
Ikuta Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Kobe, Japan, with a history dating back over 1,800 years. Located in the heart of the city, it is a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a spiritual experience. The shrine is known for its serene atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and lush greenery, making it a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling urban landscape. Visitors can explore the various prayer halls, torii gates, and sacred grounds, as well as participate in traditional rituals and ceremonies. Ikuta Shrine is also famous for its role in the annual Setsubun festival, where people gather to drive away evil spirits and welcome good fortune. Whether seeking spiritual guidance, cultural insights, or simply a peaceful retreat, Ikuta Shrine offers a unique and enriching experience for all who visit.
Nunbiki Herb Garden
Nunobiki Herb Garden is a charming botanical garden located in Kobe, Japan. It offers a delightful escape into nature with its vast collection of aromatic herbs, vibrant flowers, and lush greenery. Visitors can stroll through the garden's various themed areas, each showcasing different types of herbs and plants from around the world. The garden also features scenic walking trails that lead to picturesque viewpoints overlooking the city and nearby waterfalls. In addition to its natural beauty, Nunobiki Herb Garden hosts seasonal events and workshops where visitors can learn about the cultivation and uses of various herbs. Whether you're a nature lover, a herb enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Nunobiki Herb Garden provides a serene and refreshing experience for all who visit.
KOBE BEEF restaurant
Kobe Beef restaurants in Kobe, Japan are renowned for serving some of the finest and most sought-after beef in the world. These restaurants specialize in preparing and serving Kobe Beef, a high-quality and premium variety of beef known for its exceptional marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor. Kobe Beef is sourced from a specific breed of Wagyu cattle raised in the Hyogo Prefecture, where they are carefully raised and fed a special diet to enhance the quality and taste of the meat.
Visitors to Kobe Beef restaurants can indulge in a luxurious dining experience, savoring the melt-in-your-mouth texture and exquisite taste of the beef. The chefs at these restaurants are highly skilled in preparing Kobe Beef dishes, often using traditional Japanese cooking techniques to highlight the natural flavors and quality of the meat. From succulent steak cuts to sizzling teppanyaki dishes, Kobe Beef restaurants offer a wide range of culinary creations that showcase the unparalleled quality of this premium beef.
ShinKobe station or Sannomiya station
There is Shin-Kobe Station located right near the herb garden.
If you wish to have ample time to explore Kyoto in the afternoon and partake in a kimono-wearing experience, it is advisable to board the Shinkansen shortly after lunch from the nearby Shin-Kobe Station. In Kyoto, you have the opportunity to enjoy a kimono experience, which can be included as an optional activity. For more information, please inquire when booking a private tour. The Shinkansen journey from Shin-Kobe Station to Kyoto Station takes 30 minutes and costs 2,870 yen.
JR Sannomiya Station is the liveliest station in Kobe city. From Sannomiya Station to Kyoto Station, you can take the Special Rapid Train and arrive at Kyoto Station in 53 minutes and It will cost 1,110 yen.
Ending Point
Shin Kobe station or Sannomiya station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
- Admission fee to Nunobiki Herb Garden: 2,000 yen
- Taxi fare (approximately 1,000 yen) in case of rain or extreme heat making walking difficult
- Meal cost at the Kobe Beef restaurant: 5,000 yen to 20,000 yen per person
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
I can only work from 9:00 to 15:00.
Hello!
My name is Natsuko.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I used to work for a trading company, which gave me the opportunity to use English with overseas business partners.
After leaving the company, I became an English teacher for children and I discovered that I really enjoy spending time with kids.
I also had the experience of being a host family for international students, and it was so fulfilling to show them around various tourist spots and see them happy.
I hope you can have a wonderful experience in Japan too!
Would you like to join one of my fun tours?
I look forward to seeing you again!
Marcus O.
“Exploring the facettes of Kobe”
Natsuko picked us up at the cruise Terminal and first we went to chinatown. We learned a lot of chinese zodiacs and took some pictures. Next step was the herb garden. A lovely place to be where you can enjoy the view and the plants. Natsuko was so kind and careful. Then we tried kobe beef in a restaurant of her advice. It was an amazing experience and extremely delicious. We can highly recommend Natsuko for a guided tour in Kobe. Thanks for a beautiful day.
Natsuko I.
Hi Marcus, First of all, thank you so much for finding me among the many tour guides and for making a reservation! I truly appreciate it. And thank you for writing such a wonderful review. I also enjoyed the Snoopy shop in Harborland, and it was great to see the beautiful views from the Kobe Port Tower. I was also really happy to have a meal with you at the Kobe beef restaurant. Thank you! I had such a wonderful day today. Natsuko
Zalina V.
“Natsuko was amazing!”
Natsuko was like a close friend from the start. She’s energetic, sweet and someone easy to talk to and communicate with. She’s a mom too and was patient with our kids and adjusted timing as needed. She knew what the adults wanted to see AND what the kids wanted to see. She never rushed us but reminded us of timing and gave us fair warning of how long we would have if we veered off course a bit. She also came prepared with little gifts for our kids, who loved the attention. When one of our excursions was unexpectedly closed, we asked her where we can take the kids that they would like. She took them to a claw machine store and gave them coins to play. She then took us all to Don Quixote and gave us recommendations on what to get and helped us find things we were looking for. The day we were with her in Osaka was the day we walked the most! We covered some serious ground! Even though she told us upfront that she could only guide us til 4p she stayed longer even knowing she had to pick up her daughter. We felt so bad but she safely got her daughter. She also knew the best spots to take photos, thought ahead and got tickets for Osaka Castle ahead of time so we wouldn’t have to stand in line just for tickets for 30+ mins on a hot day. In addition, she reserved a wonderful little teppanyaki restaurant for lunch and asked us ahead of time for our orders so everything would run smoother. It was a beautiful day with her and I hope one day she will come visit us in Los Angeles! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her and I highly recommend you book her for Osaka and/or Kobe. You won’t be disappointed!
Natsuko I.
Hi Zalina, First of all, thank you for choosing me among so many guides and for making a reservation. I also really appreciate the detailed review you wrote. From the moment I met you, I felt like we were good friends. When I guide families with children, I always think about how to make it fun for the kids. As a mom myself, I know that seeing kids having fun makes me happy too, right? So, I enjoyed pretending to be samurai together during the Osaka Castle tour. The kids were really good at the shuriken game and seemed to have a great time. I was so happy to be with such kind and friendly people. Hearing one of the kids say it was her first time seeing such a beautiful view at the Umeda Sky Building made me really happy. On the way back, they told me they wanted me to visit Los Angeles next time, and that they would be the guides for me then. How sweet of them! Thank you for also caring about picking up my daughter. I would love to meet you all again! Natsuko
Katia L.
“Wonderful Tour Operator”
I would definetely recommend Natsuko for your Osaka and/or Kyoto exploration. She is a very cheerful and patient person. She took us to Osaka castle and to Kobe herb gardens. We felt like locals!! At last she made a reservation for late lunch early dinner at a wonderful restaurant with excellent Kobe beef!
Natsuko I.
Thank you so much for writing such a lovely review! I really enjoyed spending time with you and your wonderful family in Osaka and Kobe today. It was so much fun pretending to be samurai with the kids and looking out from the little holes in Osaka Castle. Even though it rained at the Kobe Herb Gardens, I was relieved to see that you all were having a great time. I'm also grateful that we could enjoy delicious Kobe beef together at the recommended local restaurant. Please do come back to Kobe again! Natsuko
$140/ per group