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City in Kansai region, Japan
Photo: (WT-en) Jpatokal at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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異人館
Kōbe's main attractions are the Ijinkan (foreign houses). These are 19th-century residences of Kobe's foreign traders, clustered in the Kitano area.
旧居留地
This is where foreign consulates and trading companies built their offices. Several 19th-century buildings have been converted into restaurants and shops. Notable buildings include Chartered Square, once the Chartered Bank branch and the 15th Building (十五番館), once the American consulate. The area is also packed full of high-fashion boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi.
南京町, nankinmachi
The original settlement of Chinese merchants. Today, it is rather touristy though it offers some "Japanized" versions of Chinese food such as pork buns (豚饅頭 buta-manjū, more often buta-man). Its architecture is still rather pleasant though.
神戸華僑歴史博物館
A museum about the many Chinese merchants and tradespeople who settled in Kobe following the opening of the Port of Kobe to foreigners in 1868.
竹中大工道具館
A very nice exploration of hand carpentry tools, from the stone axes of Jomon age to the Western influenced tools of yesterday. Hands-on exhibits and English language descriptions make this a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.
神戸海洋博物館 "Kobe Kaiyo Hakubutsukan"
Exhibits rich history of the port city with many photos, artifacts, models and some actual ships. Also houses Kawasaki World, a corporation museum for the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (no additional fees).
Kobe project
A 18-m-tall statue of a manga robot that was built to help rebuild the Nagata ward of Kobe both financially and morally after the great earthquake. The Nagata ward was one of the worst-hit areas and the character of the statue has a long history to Japan as a whole and specifically this area.
One of the most-often photographed houses among the Ijinkan.
Built in 1962, it is the world's first sightseeing tower with a pipe structure. The unofficial symbol of the city. 108 m tall. 5 levels of observatories.
Offers nice bay and mountain views of Kobe.
沢の鶴資料館
This museum is probably the best of the bunch, with an informative multi-level exhibit partly labelled in English, and a well-stocked gift shop
白鶴酒造資料館, hakutsuru shuzōshiryōkan
This museum is inside a former brewery, and features traditional tools, dioramas and English-language videos to explain the sake-making processes. At the end, you can sample some sake, which is non-pasteurized, presumably because it doesn't have to travel far from the factory. Write your name on a piece of paper provided by the guard and return that at the end.
浜福鶴吟醸工房
Offers factory tours, rather than just a museum. Can watch actual processes from behind glass walls.
菊正宗酒造記念館, "Kiku-Masamune Shuzo Kinenkan"
Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum is the only facility that exhibits "Sake brewing utensils of Nada" which are Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. It is a museum of Sake that tells you the secret of traditional sake brewing techniques of the Tanba region. You can also try tasting different kinds of sake here for free. There will be a guide to take you though the museum and present the history of a prestigious "Sake of Nada" brewer.
Kobe’s playground. There are restaurants, bars, a movie theatre, a shopping market, an amusement arcade and a little amusement park. Harbour cruises are offered, some of which go as far as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge
布引の滝, Nunobiki no taki
Four waterfalls that empty into the Ikuta River. The largest is 43m high.
メリケンパーク
Located on the harborfront has a poignant memorial to the devastating Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, which killed 6,433 people.
フルーツ・フラワーパーク
Surrounded by a lot of flowers and greenery. Many people hold their wedding ceremonies here every year. In spring, the park becomes even more beautiful as about 10,000 tulips bloom.
相楽園
A nice Japanese-style garden in the middle of the city. Very good value and a great attraction to see after going through the Ijinkan area.
布引ハーブ園
garden on Mount Rokko. It is accessible by the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, near Shin-Kobe station. It features over 200 varieties of herbs, as well as greenhouses, exhibitions, and a restaurant.
王子動物園
Besides animals, there is a mini amusement park with rides for young children
神戸ルミナリエ
Japan's best display of lights. Large, flamboyant light displays. The lights and the event itself have a deeper meaning, having begun in 1995, after the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the city of Kobe. Each light is said to represent one life that was lost during the earthquake.
神戸コレクション
Fashion event popular with young women.
神戸ジャズストリート
Famous Jazz event in Japan.
A vegetarian organic cafe that also serves alcohol and desserts.
A cramped and popular taiyaki shop. Serves 2 varieties of taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake: sweet potato and red bean paste.
Chinese restaurant. Try the chicken.
グリル一平
Specializes in yōshoku, or Japanized Western dishes. Specialities include Ebi furai (breaded shrimp), kaki furai (breaded oyster), hamburger steaks and tonkatsu (pork cutlets).
鳥貴族
Torikizoku is the most popular yakitori chain in Kansai. The Yakitori is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 7:30PM to secure seats. As the drinks are cheap it's also popular for drinking with snacks on the side. Look for the distinctive yellow and red sign with "鳥貴族 TORIKIZOKU∞".
A French restaurant with a romantic view.
Rated one of the best places for Kobe beef.
There are several restaurants in the Kobe Portopia Hotel, some with high floor views.
One of the top Kobe beef steakhouses.
Great Kobe Beef, Hida Beef, Hamburg Steak, Abalone, and Fresh Japanese Tiger Prawns. All perfectly cooked right in front of you on Teppan grills to your liking.
One of the most famous houses serving Kobe beef. The slightly reduced lunch specials are worth checking out. Must make reservations.
Kobe beef prepared right in front of you.
One of the most famous places with live music in Japan.
ハブ
A basement location of the British pub chain. Happy hour discount cocktails 17:00-19:00.
Serves seasonal brews and dishes as well as the timeless favorites of German and Japanese beer halls. Bar service on ground floor, table service on higher floors. Capacity 540.
An excellent place to relax with a drink, Sone also happens to be one of the best jazz clubs in Kansai. You will have to pay a cover charge on a night with big names performing.
An Aussie Bar and Grill popular with expats and locals alike. Shisha can also be provided.
A cafe in a former church.
神戸クアハウス
Spa and capsule hotel with a floor exclusively for women
二宮旅館)
Cosy little hostel for stays of at least 2 weeks.
Overlooks Mount Rokko and Osaka Bay. The location near JR Kōbe station is good.
神戸ポートピアホテル
This is a high-rise international hotel on Portopia Island mainly of interest to business travelers or those attending events at the International Convention Center nextdoor. Includes spa and pool at additional cost. Free wifi in guest rooms. Very nice view from the 30th floor during the breakfast buffet or the bar in the evening. Shuttle service to Sannomiya, Shin-Kobe Stations and Kobe and Kansai airports.
Directly over the Sannomiya station, with reasonable pricing, simple but adequate facilities and rather small rooms. The "twin room with sofa bed" is larger than the doubles, but the convertible sofa pretty much fills up the extra space.
An older mid-range hotel on the artificial island next to the Kobe airport (accessible by the Port Liner). Shows its age inside and out, but still does the job well and the views are quite nice.
神戸元町 東急REIホテル
Mini-fridges in rooms.
神戸北野ホテル
Its owner was a chef at Le Relais Bernard Loiseau (a Michelin 3-star restaurant in France). This hotel's plan includes dinner and breakfast.
A Japanese take on modern Western-style luxury hotel, in the Kyu-Kyoryuchi area. Higher-level rooms and suites, as well as the hotel bar enjoy a view over the Kobe Harbour.
The hotel resembling a giant cruise ship is a very conspicuous part of Kobe Harbour's waterfront. Inside you will find spacious rooms, the more expensive of which feature balconies with views over the harbour. All Western-style comforts are to be found, and hotel's restaurants and bars add a touch of luxury to the land-cruise ship experience.
A stylish boutique hotel squeezed into the immediate neighbourhood of Sannomiya station. All rates include a complimentary breakfast.
A slightly tired luxury hotel in a highrise next to the Port Tower. Room prices increase with floors, but do note that views from some rooms are over the less-than-scenic industrial part of the port of Kobe.
This is a modern shopping and dining area, developed on the edge of the Kobe Bay.
Huge bookstore with big selection of English books and magazines.
By train
7 km south of Shin-Kobe Station. Sannomiya station. Sannomiya station has a tourist information office well-stocked with area maps.
By bus
Kobe is served by highway buses from many parts of Japan, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Nagano, and the Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu regions.
By boat
Several ferry services are available to Kobe, including routes from:
By subway
Kōbe has two subway lines. The Kaigan Line runs along the coast, and the Seishin-Yamate Line runs toward the mountains.
By light rail
The automated Port Liner links Sannomiya to the reclaimed port district south of the city, and continues over the Kobe Sky Bridge to Kobe Airport.
By bus
Kobe has a comprehensive city bus system, which is often your best choice when travelling to areas north of the city, away from the predominately east-west running train and subway lines.
By ropeway
Kobe has several ropeways that travel up Mount Rokko. One that is near a major station is the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, a 5-minute walk from Shin-Kobe station.
On foot
Kōbe is narrow in the north-south direction, but long in the west-east direction. Since much of it is built on a hill, a reasonable itinerary is to take the bus up the hill, and walk down.
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Kobe · International · UKB
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