From iconic views to delicious food, here’s what to do in Kobe.
As the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and the second largest city in the Kansai region of Japan, Kobe boasts a beautiful port and many scenic spots. Compared to Kyoto and Osaka, it feels laid back, with a strong international influence. I enjoy Kobe so much that I’ve visited four times in the last three years during spring, summer, and winter! Ready for my recommendations? Let’s dive into the best of Kobe, including what to do, foods to try, and how to get around.
What Kobe is famous for
Kobe is one of Japan’s oldest and most prominent port cities – the country’s first port to open to international trade after World War II. Along with that came international goods flowing into the city and settlers from around the world. So don’t be surprised if you see ornate Western-style buildings, wide paved roads, and churches while walking along the streets.
A true melting pot of international cuisines and cultures, it has some of the best food, nightlife, and city vibes in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region, in my opinion. You can’t visit without trying the world-famous Kobe beef or making your way to Arima Onsen, a famous hot spring town.
How to get to Kobe
Kobe is accessible via the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) at Shin-Kobe Station. If you’re coming from the East (Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka) or the West (Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Okayama), you can get on a train bound for Shin-Kobe.
From Tokyo, the Shinkansen takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes (five stops). At Shin-Kobe Station, hop on the subway (Seishin-Yamate Line) to Sannomiya Station, the city centre, one stop away.
If you’re coming from Kyoto, take the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line (Biwako Line) to Sannomiya Station. Heading to Kobe from Osaka? There are a few more options besides the Biwako Line, including the JR Super Hakuto or the Hanshin Line direct to Sannomiya Station.
Best attractions and things to do in Kobe
1. Kobe Port Tower
Shaped uniquely like a red candle, the Kobe Port Tower is a beautifully constructed icon. Tickets cost ¥1,200 (approx $11) for adults. The observatory is an enclosed viewing area offering information on nearby sights and landmarks, while the rooftop deck is a thrilling, open-air viewing platform with unobstructed panoramas of the city and its bay.
At the top of the rooftop deck, I enjoyed the feel of strong sea breezes. Tip: the best time to visit is just before sunset to watch the city light up and admire day-to-night views. When the tower lights up, it’s a lovely sight for those strolling along the harbour.
Head inside the Port Tower for an interactive light museum that shows brilliant LED displays, which kids will enjoy. There’s also a rotating cafe-bar, plus a gift shop for memorabilia.
2. Kobe Harborland
Walk further along the bay, and you’ll see Kobe Harborland, a big block showcasing two mall complexes: Umie Mosaic and Umie North Mall.
Closer to the waterfront, Mosaic features alfresco dining options for meals with a view of the long boardwalk and Kobe Bay. With plenty of restaurants offering Japanese and international cuisines, plus places with live music, this is the ultimate date spot for lively, atmospheric evenings. P.S. look out for the big Ferris wheel that lights up at night in dazzling colours! Meanwhile, North Mall is a massive complex home to a cinema, boutiques, and family-friendly activities.
3. Chinatown
Heading inland from the port, Kobe’s Nankin-machi is the second largest Chinatown in Japan (after Yokohama’s). Established in 1867, the area hosted early Chinese settlers who set up grocers, restaurants, and stores. Today, it’s a vibrant and celebrated part of the city’s cosmopolitan appeal. Kobe Chinatown is one of my favourite places – it’s where I always return to!
4. City Hall Observation Deck
Did you know there’s an observation deck with free entry on Kobe City Hall’s 24th floor? Open from 9am to 10pm on weekdays, and 10am to 10pm on weekends and public holidays, this space offers excellent daytime views of Kobe and its port.
I visited on a beautiful, clear day, which gave me views of Osaka’s bayside area, including Abeno Harukas 300, the second tallest building in Japan. When night falls, enjoy city lights from the observatory reflected off the bay’s tranquil waters.
5. Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
The Nunobiki Herb Gardens are located atop one of the Rokko Mountains. For panoramic views, take the cable car at the ropeway behind Shin-Kobe Station to the summit. You’ll be greeted by a large German-style building and nearby clock tower, which makes for a whimsical stroll.
I highly recommend this place for nature lovers; it’s great for photo-taking, as the gardens are filled with beautiful flowers, native herbs, and a greenhouse for exotic tropical and desert plants. The park also has cafes and restaurants for dining pitstops.
As the gardens are situated on the mountain’s sloping side, the walk is a meandering, downhill stroll to another ropeway station that brings you back to your starting point. But if you walk down, you’ll see one of Kobe’s famous natural sights – the Nunobiki Falls!
6. Nunobiki Falls
The walk from the gardens to the main (and biggest) cascade of the Nunobiki Falls is about 400m. This collection of waterfalls is one of Kobe’s oldest icons – it’s been mentioned in ancient texts – and the clear, turquoise waters collect in naturally-formed stone basins.
I’d recommend you walk down to the waterfalls for spectacular sights, though parents with strollers should note that some sections have stairs with no ramps.
7. Arima Onsen
Fun fact: Arima is one of the oldest hot spring (onsen) regions in Japan. Nestled in the Rokko Mountains, it’s easily accessible by train from Shin-Kobe Station to Arimaonsen Station; it can also be reached by taxi. The area has multiple onsen hotels and is considered one of the hidden treasures of modern Kobe. Tip: the region boasts incredible beauty in the fall and winter.
Want to pack your itinerary with more sights? Check out the Kobe Oji Zoo, Kobe Animal Kingdom, and the Bando Science Museum.
What to eat in Kobe
Kobe beef
Of course, Kobe is world-renowned for its food – especially Kobe beef, one of the four main breeds of wagyu in Japan. In the past, the country’s native diet consisted mostly of rice, seafood, and vegetables. But with Kobe’s open port, the city pioneered the cultivation of beef as a food staple.
Today, strict regulations govern the origin and bloodlines of the cattle used for Kobe beef. This includes where the animals are processed, the marbling ratio, and what constitutes wagyu. Kobe beef is prestigious and rare because only 3,000 head of cattle qualify yearly. As the Japanese are committed to excellence, this process is so stringent that the meat can be tracked back to the identification number given to the cattle when they’re born.
The most common way to enjoy beef in Kobe is teppanyaki, a stainless-steel grilling method of cooking by a chef done right in front of you. Need a recommendation? The most prestigious restaurant in the city is Sai Dining, which serves A5-grade Kobe beef – the highest quality rating for wagyu. Seasoned with rock salt from the Andes and cooked to perfection, the meat is served for lunch (from ¥5,000, approx $44) and dinner (from ¥11,550, approx $103).
For more affordable, teppanyaki-style Kobe beef, check out Mouriya. Established in 1885, it has three branches in Kobe. If you’re near Sannomiya Station, pop by the main store, Mouriya Honten. Lunch (from ¥8,020, approx $71) and dinner (from ¥9,090 approx $87) courses serve certified A4 and A5 Kobe beef, alongside soup, salad, grilled vegetables, and bread or rice.
Beef cutlet and croquette
In Kobe, beef cutlets come in two forms – gyu-katsu (breaded and deep-fried cuts of whole beef) and gyu-korokke (fried croquette made of minced beef with mashed potatoes). Note: the two are often lumped together under the name “beef cutlet” on English menus. With their similar appearances, they can be tricky to differentiate, so ask the staff if you’re unsure.
To enjoy Kobe’s beef cutlets, I recommend trying gyu-katsu at Atsugiri Gyukatsu Senmonten Kobe Gyukatsu Tei. The thick-cut beef loin is breaded and fried for 90 seconds, resulting in a juicy, medium-rare cutlet best paired with condiments like demi-glace sauce, ponzu, dashi soy sauce, curry salt, spicy mustard, and wasabi.
All sets (from ¥1,380, approx $12) come with refillable rice, cabbage salad, pickles, and miso soup. Oh, and you can also try the restaurant’s gyu-korokke here to decide which you prefer!
Akashiyaki
Similar in ingredients and appearance to takoyaki, akashiyaki is dipped in a hot or cold dashi broth made from kelp and bonito. These little puffs, unique to Hyogo Prefecture, contain octopus coated in a light batter, but they’re softer and eggier in consistency.
Gyoza with miso sauce
Interestingly, gyoza in Kobe is eaten with a sweet and spicy, miso-based dipping sauce. The best place to try this is at Hyotan Sannomiya, an award-winning restaurant that’s been around since 1957. This little eatery is located in an izakaya row – I recommend you stop here while bar-hopping!
Conger eel
Due to Kobe’s proximity to the sea, conger eel (anago) is one of the local specialties. Unagi is a freshwater eel from Japanese rivers and lakes, while anago is a saltwater eel from the sea. You’ll find lots of eel options in restaurants and shops, served as sushi, in bento boxes, or on rice bowls.
Chinatown street food
I love Chinatown for its Chinese street food options, the most popular of which is a fatty pork slice in a fluffy mantou bun. The tender pork, braised in light soy sauce, is served piping hot and glazed with hoisin sauce – perfect on a cold winter day!
More street food to try: goma dango (glutinous rice balls filled with red bean paste and coated in sesame seeds), roast duck wraps, niku-man (pork buns), steamed and fried dumplings, and custard or red bean buns shaped like cute animals.
Bread and baked goods
In case you didn’t know, Kobe is known in Japan as the City of Bread. Since 1869, Kobe has had a long-established bread scene thanks to early English and French settlers, who introduced their artisanal bread-making techniques to the locals. Carb lovers will be happy to know there are more than 200 bakeries in Kobe, and there’s even an annual bread festival featuring French, German, and Japanese baking styles.
Save this guide for your next trip so you know what to do, see, and eat in Kobe!
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Kobe?
You can visit Kobe any time of the year, although spring and autumn are best. Spring (March to early May) has pleasantly mild temperatures and flowers in bloom, while autumn (September to November) brings cooler weather and reddish-yellow foliage - perfect for visiting the Nunobiki Herb Garden and Ropeway.
Kobe’s beaches are best enjoyed in warmer weather for festivals and fireworks, but it can get hot and humid. June and July are the rainiest months, and June to September is typically typhoon season in Japan. As Kobe is a coastal city, I’d recommend avoiding it during the summer.
Winter in Kobe (December to February) is mild, and the area rarely sees snow. If you love Christmas, Kobe’s outdoor attractions usually have winter illuminations well into the New Year!
How long should I stay in Kobe?
2D1N is perfect, with one full day in the city to see most of the main sights. On the second day, you can grab breakfast and leave before lunch, or enjoy breakfast by the bay if it’s warm out and leave after you’re done sightseeing.
How to get around in Kobe?
Kobe is a very walkable city, but you can also take a cab or a train. Driving is not recommended as there are unfamiliar one-way streets in the metropolitan city’s centre (which means lots of circling). Parking lots are also small, expensive, and sometimes hard to find.
Where can I store my luggage in Kobe?
Coin lockers! They’re located in and around train stations and sometimes in the lower floors of malls or department stores. Pay with coins or use your IC card (the transit card for trains and buses).
Alternatively, use convenient baggage forwarding services (I recommend Yamato), which you can set up at your hotel or any airport. This affordable service ships your suitcase from one hotel to the next or the airport and vice versa. Depending on how far your bag is travelling, you can receive your belongings on the same day (or up to two days later if you’re shipping to Okinawa or Hokkaido). You can also specify the dates and times of delivery.
