15 Issues to do in Kobe, Japan

Issues to do in Kobe, Japan

Whereas it could not have the status and quirkiness of Tokyo, or the historical past and tradition of Kyoto, town of Kobe deserves a spot in your Japan journey itinerary. On this Kobe journey information, we share a few of the enjoyable issues to do in Kobe, from dipping your toes in historical sizzling springs to sampling the scrumptious wagyu beef that shares its identify. 

If that is your first time studying in regards to the metropolis of Kobe, you aren’t alone.

Kobe is just not usually ranked excessive on the record of locations to go to in Japan. It’s typically ignored and most actually underrated. We hope to vary that with this Kobe weblog put up.

Positioned 30 km (19 miles) west of Osaka, many guests will journey to Kobe as a day journey from Osaka or Kyoto. In the event you don’t have a variety of time, this could be the best choice.

After we visited Japan again in 2009, that was our strategy. We made Kyoto our residence base and took day journeys to Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima. The Japanese rail system is quick and environment friendly, so it’s straightforward to cowl a variety of floor.

Nonetheless, in case you have a few days in Kobe, you’ll discover loads of enjoyable and fascinating issues to maintain you busy and entertained. This weblog put up highlights the issues we did throughout our three days in Kobe.  

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Associated put up – 25 Japan journey ideas for first timers

1. Attempt some scrumptious Kobe Beef

First on the record of issues to do in Kobe is to indulge within the delicacy that shares it’s identify – Kobe beef.

Except, in fact, you don’t eat meat. If that’s you, skip to the following advice.

Kobe is known for wagyu beef, arguably the best reduce of beef on the earth, which comes from the Tajima pressure of Japanese Black cattle. Individuals journey from far and broad to style this mouth-watering, perfectly-marbled beef. 

Just like consuming Champagne in Champagne, France or sipping port wine in Porto, Portugal, it’s essential to strive Kobe Beef in Kobe. There are particular guidelines about what beef will be labeled as true Kobe Beef and Kobe is the place you’ll discover the actual deal.

The second you step off the prepare at Kobe-Sannomiya Station you might be reminded that Kobe Beef is an enormous deal in these components. Indicators and commercials are scattered all through town selling quite a lot of methods to indulge your self, from Kobe beef teppanyaki to Kobe beef sushi.

Kobe beef is an costly reduce of meat, so your journey price range will dictate one of the simplest ways to expertise this celebrated Japanese delicacies. Excessive-end steakhouses supply multi-course meals that serve quite a lot of cuts and types of wagyu beef. Go forward and splurge; you’re value it!

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Most eating places that serve Kobe beef could have a black cow statue outdoors the restaurant. That is the Japanese Black, which is the breed of Japanese beef cattle often called wagyu. 

Kobe beef sushi

Many ramen and sushi eating places in Kobe will serve Kobe beef sushi. In the event you’re not enthusiastic about dropping large coin at a elaborate Kobe beef restaurant, beef sushi is a reasonable option to pattern the products.

A single piece of Kobe beef nigiri prices 800 Yen (approx $10.00 CAD).

Kobe Beef Ramen

There are lots of methods to get the tasty wagyu in your stomach. The above was captured at a small ramen restaurant in Kobe that was really helpful 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 would possibly miss it. 

2. Kobe Port Tower

Probably the most recognizable landmark in Kobe is the Kobe Port Tower. The 354 foot tower has a number of remark flooring that supply 360 diploma panoramic views of town, harbor and Mount Rokko.  

Kobe Port Tower is open 12 months spherical. Relying on whenever you journey to Kobe, the perfect time to go to the Port Tower remark deck is simply earlier than sundown. Town sparkles at evening. 

Admission to the Port Tower is 700 yen for adults ($9.00 CAD) and 300 yen for kids ($4.00). 

Extra data in regards to the Kobe Tower right here.

3. Meriken Park

Meriken Park is a waterfront park positioned within the Kobe port space. It’s residence to a few of Kobe’s most iconic structure, together with the Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum (pictured above) and Meriken Park Oriental Lodge. 

The Kobe Maritime Museum can also be residence to Kawasaki Good Occasions World, a museum devoted to the 100+ 12 months historical past of Kawasaki and it’s many merchandise, together with Shinkansen trains, jet planes, helicopters and bikes. Extra data in regards to the museum right here.

Additionally, you will discover the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park on the east facet of Meriken Park.

The Kobe Japan earthquake, or Nice Hanshin earthquake, occurred on January 17, 1995 within the southern a part of Hyogo Prefecture. The earthquake killed 5,378 folks, broken or destroyed 152,000 buildings, and is alleged to the most costly earthquake ever to strike an city space [source]. 

4. Mosaic Ferris Wheel

In the event you’re visiting Kobe with youngsters, the Mosaic Ferris Wheel at Kobe Harborland is a enjoyable exercise. Just like the remark deck on the Port Tower, the Mosaic Massive Ferris Wheel presents 360 diploma views of the waterfront, port, metropolis and mountains. 

The Kobe Massive Ferris Wheel operates from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Every experience prices 800 yen for adults ($10.00 CAD). The air conditioned gondolas can match as much as 4 folks.

All smiles contained in the Mosaic Ferris Wheel at Harborland.

Panoramic views of the Port Tower and Mt. Rokko from contained in the Mosaic Ferris Wheel.

 Mosaic Ferris Wheel has over 120,000 LEDs that placed on a present at evening. 

5. Kobe Harborland

Kobe Harborland is a big procuring complicated positioned on the waterfront throughout from the port, dealing with Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park Oriental Lodge.

Harborland has grow to be one in all Kobe’s prime vacationer points of interest with over 200 shops, eating places, museums and leisure. 

In the event you solely have one evening in Kobe, we advocate you go to Kobe Harborland and dine at one of many waterfront eating places at Mosaic. The Fisherman’s Market at Kobe Mosaic is kind of fashionable.

The Mosaic boardwalk is arguably the perfect place in Kobe to observe the sundown. 

Kobe Harborland is residence to Anpanman Theme park and Kobe Anpanman Kids’s Museum, positioned behind the Mosaic Ferris Wheel. It additionally has video arcades and video games room, so that you’re youngsters could have lots to maintain them entertained. 

Whilst you’re within the neighborhood, take a stroll down Kobe Gaslight Avenue and take a look at the Ninth-century pink brick warehouses known as Renga Soko.

We ate dinner on the conveyor belt sushi restaurant at Kobe Harborland (additionally known as rotation sushi, sushi prepare and kaiten sushi). 

It’s a enjoyable and straightforward option to pattern quite a lot of sushi. Not solely does the sushi come out shortly, you’ll be able to really see the objects as they move your desk. That is very best for first timers who’re nervous about making an attempt sushi and uncooked fish for the primary time.

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6. Kobe Bay Cruise

Get a distinct perspective of this bustling port metropolis by taking a Kobe Bay Cruise. Cruises sail across the bay and final about 40 minutes.

The boat is docked at Meriken Park beside the pink Port Tower. See picture above. You should buy tickets immediately on the dock. Boats depart each hour, so you’ve gotten choices. 

Another choice is the Kobe Concerto cruise.

The ship is docked in entrance of Harbourland (see picture beneath) and presents a eating expertise whereas cruising across the bay. You may be part of a lunch cruise that usually departs at 12:00 midday, tea cruise that departs at 2:30 PM, twilight cruise that departs at 5:15 PM and an evening cruise that departs at 7:30 PM. 

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7. Rokko Cable Automotive

The Rokko Cable Automotive is a Japanese funicular that transports friends to the highest of Mt. Rokko. The cable automobile opened in 1932 and is likely one of the prime Kobe vacationer points of interest. 

It takes 10 minutes to get from the Rokko Cable Shita station, positioned on the base of the mountain, to Rokko Sanjo station on the prime of the mountain. The elevation achieve is roughly 500 metres. 

It’s finest to get the Rokkosan Vacationer move for 1200 yen. This move consists of bus fare to get to Rokko Cable Shita station, the cable automobile experience, and the bus to the Mount Rokko Tourism Space. Extra data right here.

Outdoors the Rokko Cable Automotive station. That is on the base of Mount Rokko. 

8. Rokko Backyard Terrace

Rokko Backyard Terrace, pictured above, is the proper place to get panoramic views of town, ocean and mountains.

It’s a vacationer complicated with viewing platforms, an remark tower, a number of eating places and small retail outlets that promote souvenirs, ice cream, drinks and snacks.

Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace

For a novel lunch, go to the Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace. Grill contemporary meats, seafood and greens on a sizzling forged iron plate that sits in your eating desk.

It’s a enjoyable eating expertise for everybody. 

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Map of issues to do on Mount Rokko in Kobe Japan.

You may simply spend a full day visiting the small vacationer points of interest on Mount Rokko. It has a botanical backyard, forest journey park with zipline and treetop impediment course, the music field museum, small golf course and the Rokko Backyard Terrace.

The beehive construction within the above picture is the Rokko Shidare Observatory. 

The finest views of Kobe and Hyogo Prefecture are discovered 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 may stroll from the Rokko Vacationer Space to the Rokko Sancho station, so it’s a straightforward addition to your Kobe day journey.

The a method journey from Mount Rokko to Arima Onsen takes 12 minutes and prices 1030 yen ($13.00 CAD). Spherical journey tickets price 1850 yen ($23.00).

You may additionally wish to go to the Maya Ropeway and Shin-Kobe Ropeway throughout your go to to Kobe. 

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Rokko Sancho station on the prime of the Rokko-Arima Ropeway.

 Contained in 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 the fashionable Kobe points of interest is Arima Onsen. We’re informed it’s Japan’s oldest and most well-known sizzling spring city.

Wandering the slim streets of Arima Onsen presents a glimpse into Japan’s historical previous. It’s mentioned that emperors and samurai would go to Arima Onsen to soak in its therapeutic sizzling springs. 

Arima Onsen is accessible by taking the Rokko Cable Automotive and Rokko-Arima Ropeway, which makes for a enjoyable day journey from Kobe. Plan for a full day if you wish to embody time on Mount Rokko. Or keep in a single day at a conventional Japanese ryokan.

There are solely two public bathtub homes in Arima Onsen. Some ryokan motels will open their non-public baths to guests through the day. Admission ranges between 500 and 2500 yen ($6.00 CAD to $30.00 CAD).

See an inventory of sizzling spring baths in Arima Onsen right here.

In the event you’re travelling with youngsters, it’s essential to know that there are particular guidelines for bathing at Japanese onsen. We weren’t allowed to wash as a household on the public bathtub home at Arima Onsen (women and men can’t bathtub collectively, even with youngsters). Hold this in thoughts and plan accordingly.

In the event you’re not eager to spend time at a shower home or ryokan, you’ll be able to soak your ft at Taiko no Ashiyu. It’s a free public foot bathtub in Arima Onsen.

It’s positioned outdoors Kin no Yu (Arima golden Sizzling-spring public spa).

The water is saved at 42.3 diploma Celsius, so it’s sizzling! I don’t suppose any of us lasted longer than one minute. 

The city of Arima Onsen has small retail outlets, eating places and shrines. 

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11. Nankin-machi – Kobe Chinatown

Greater than 100 eating places and outlets make up Kobe’s Chinatown, also called Nankin-machi.

It’s one in all Japan’s largest Chinatowns, though it solely covers a geographical space of roughly 200 x 100 meters. 

The full of life streets of Nankinmachi see a relentless circulate of individuals, particularly within the night. It is a excellent place to pattern quite a lot of avenue meals in Kobe, together with steamed dumplings, pork buns, Peking duck wraps, noodle soups and deep fried croquettes. 

Kobe Chinatown has a number of avenue meals distributors with small bites on the market.

Tasty steamed pork buns on the market in Chinatown. 

Chinatown is a enjoyable place to expertise Kobe at evening.

The enduring gazebo in Nankinmachi Sq. in Kobe Chinatown.

Choanmon Gate welcomes guests to Kobe Chinatown.

Above is the ornate Seian-mon Gate in Nankin-machi.

12. Motomachi Purchasing Avenue

One of many issues we love about Japan is its pedestrian solely procuring streets. Motomachi Purchasing Avenue is a procuring district in central Kobe with lots of of retail outlets and eating places. 

The favored avenue is positioned within the middle of Kobe close to a few of its prime vacationer points of interest, similar to Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown), Kobe Metropolis Museum, Meriken Park and Harborland.

It stretches between Motomachi Station and Kobe Station, so it’s simply accessible from wherever within the metropolis.

13. Ikuta Shrine

Probably the most well-known temple in Kobe is Ikuta Shrine, mentioned to be one of many oldest shrines in Japan.

Ikuta Shrine is centrally positioned and straightforward to entry by foot from Sannomiya Station. 

There are lots of temples, shrines and tori gates throughout the grounds at Ikuta Shrine.

Plan to spend at the least one hour exploring the this lovely shrine. The temple is free to enter. 

Above is the principle entrance gate to Ikuta Shrine. 

Row of vibrant orange torii gates inside Ikuta Shrine. 

The temples and shrines in Japan are exceptional and price visiting, even if you happen to’re not spiritual.

14. Kobe Oji Zoo

The Kobe Oji Zoo is conveniently positioned a couple of prepare stations from central Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Admission to the zoo is just 600 yen for adults (approx $7.00 CAD) and children are free, making it a reasonable household exercise in Kobe.  

The zoo is residence to over 850 animals and birds from 150 totally different species, together with hardly ever seen animals like the large panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, Amur tiger, polar bear and snow-leopard. 

Find out about Oji Zoo and see an inventory of animals right here.

The large panda is the star attraction at Kobe Oji Zoo.

An uncommon amusement park on the Kobe Zoo

The amusement park inside Kobe Zoo is fascinating, to say the least. We count on somewhat bizarre and wacky from Japan. It’s what makes Japan such a captivating nation to go to, in our opinion.

As quickly as we entered the amusement park we had been immediately transported again in time. Whereas the zoo has a powerful line up of animals, the park amenities seem to have been left behind.  

Watch this brief video from the Kobe Zoo amusement park.

Learn extra – The bizarre amusement park at Kobe Oji Zoo

15. Rugby Match at Kobe Misaki Stadium

Even if you happen to’re not a rugby fan, it’s enjoyable to observe a dwell sporting occasion at Kobe Misaki Stadium.

Often known as Noevir Stadium Kobe, it has a retractable roof and capability of 30,000 folks. It’s residence to the Kobelco Steelers, a rugby union High League staff. Verify the staff schedule previous to your go to to see if the staff is enjoying. 

The stadium can also be residence to Vissel Kobe, a Japanese skilled soccer membership within the J1 League. It’s the highest tier of soccer in Japan. Kobe Misaki Stadium hosted matches on the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

We had been lucky to observe a dwell Rugby World Cup match right here. The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is the primary Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia. 

Examine our expertise on the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Inside Kobe Misaki Stadium on the Japan Rugby World Cup.

Different issues to do in Kobe

Throughout our first journey to Kobe, earlier than having youngsters, we visited these points of interest which can be additionally value visiting.

• Nada Sake District – pattern sake at quite a lot of Sake Breweries in Kobe. Extra data right here.
• Shin-Kobe Ropeway – positioned beside the Shin-Kobe prepare station. In the event you’re taking a day journey from to Kobe to Osaka or Kyoto, you’ll doubtless arrive at this prepare station. We advocate you’re taking this cable as a substitute of the Rokko Cablecar, to maximise your time. 
• Nunobiki Waterfall – if you happen to’d fairly go for a hike within the mountains, skip the Pores and skin-Kobe Ropeway and hike to this 43 meter waterfall. The path additionally passes the Miharashi Observatory, which presents good views of town.
• Kitano Ijinkan – additionally positioned close to the Kobe Shinkansen station, this historic district is residence to various international residences and mansions, often called Ijinkan. A few of them have transformed into public museums. Extra data right here.

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Have you ever visited Kobe? What did we miss?

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