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Kobe is the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture and is the sixth largest city in Japan. As an important port city, Kobe opened to the world in 1868 and has had a lot of influence from overseas since. In 1995, Kobe was hit by Great Hanshin Earthquake, which killed 6,433 people, made 300,000 homeless and destroyed large parts of the city. The city has recovered completely with attractive facilities.
 

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KOBE ATTRACTIONS

Sannomiya

With JR, Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Railway, Kobe Municipal Subway and Kobe New Transit all meet here, Sannomiya is the center of Kobe. There are many shops and restaurants in this area.

Ikuta Shrine

Established in 201, Ikuta Shrine is the most popular shrine in Kobe and is easily accessible as it located close to most of the train lines in Sannomiya. Many people visit Ikuta Shrine for a New Year prayer. The buildings were destroyed many times by natural disasters over the year but rebuilt every time.

Nunobiki Herb Park

Nunobiki Herb Park is a herb garden located on Mt Rokko above Kobe. When you catch Shin-Kobe Ropeway in the middle of busy Kobe city, you will be amazed with the magnificent view of the city and the rich mountain and how close they are each other. It takes only 10 minutes to the top. The park is designed to walk down the mountain to the middle ropeway station called ‘Kaze no Oka Station’ while experiencing many herb gardens (over 75,000 herbs), exhibits, museums and greenhouses. There are a restaurant and a café to sit and relax as well. From ‘Kaze no Oka Station’, you can either catch a ropeway or walk down to the Shin-Kobe Station. However, if you have time, I strongly recommend to walk down to see Nunobiki Waterfalls.
Opening hours: 9:30am – 5pm (-8:30pm on weekends), 7 days a week
Admission: 200 yen
Shin-Kobe Ropeway: 550 yen for one way

Nunobiki Waterfalls

Nunobiki Waterfalls is a set of four waterfalls in Kobe. It is one of the three greatest divine waterfalls in Japan (others are Kegon Waterfalls in Tochigi and Nachi Waterfalls in Wakayama). It has been appeared in Japanese literature since the early era of Japanese history as a significant waterfalls.

Nankin-machi (Chinatown)

Along with the ones in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Nankin-machi is one of the three biggest Chinatowns in Japan. There are over 100 Chinese cafes, restaurants and shops in this area, and some of them are very popular with people queue all the time.

Kobe Harborland

Developed in 1992, Kobe Harborland is a waterfront area right next to JR Kobe Station. It is the most fashionable area in Kobe, that includes many shopping facilities, cinemas, amusement park, hotel, cruise, etc. with a photogenic scenery.
Major facilities are:
Kobe Mosaic - a complex of shopping streets, amusement park and cinema.
Kobe Hankyu Department Store
Famlio – shopping mall
Promena Kobe – restaurants and shops
Duo Kobe – shopping mall expands both north and south from JR Kobe Station
Canal Garden – shopping mall and fitness center
Ha·Re – shopping mall
Cruise - Several different companies operate their featured cruise. Among them, Concerto and Villaggio Italia are the most popular ones (Villaggio Italia departs from Kobe Central Jetty).

Meriken Park

Located across from Kobe Harborland, Meriken Park was developed in 1987, earlier than Kobe Harborland. As you can see the influence from western culture in Kobe, the name ‘Meriken’ came from ‘American’. The scenery with Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum will be the most seen photo in postcards.

Kobe Port Tower

Built in 1963, Kobe Port Tower is the first pipe structure tower in the world and has been a symbol of Kobe since. This Japanese drum like design received many awards. You can view Osaka city, Mt Rokko and Kansai International Airport from the observation deck when it is clear. It is illuminated every night.
Opening hours: 9am – 7pm (-9pm Mar-Nov) 7days a week
Admission: 600 yen

Kobe Maritime Museum

With its outstanding roof design, Kobe Maritime Museum is another symbol of Kobe. You can discover the history of Japanese shipping and Kobe harbor here. It is also illuminated every night.
Opening hours: 10am – 5pm, close Mondays
Admission: 500 yen

Cruise

Several different companies operate their featured cruise. Among them, Luminous Kobe 2 is the most popular one.

Minatogawa Shrine

Located north side of JR Kobe Station, Minatogawa Jinja was built in 1872 by the order of Meiji Emperor. It enshrines Kusunoki Masashige who was a famous warlord in 14th century.

Genkoji Temple

Genkoji Temple was established by Jokyo (Buddhism priest) in 1514. Before then, there was a house which was used as a model in the Japanese famous novel called ‘The Tale of Genji’*. Therefore Genkoji Temple is also called Genji Temple. The temple was destroyed by Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. The current building was rebuilt after the earthquake. * The Tale of Genji is the world’s first modern novel written by Murasaki Shikibu in 11th century.

Sumadera Temple

Sumadera Temple was originally built in 886 by the order of Emperor Koko. The current Hondo (main hall) was rebuilt in 1602. Sumadera Temple features the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani (1184), a famous battle between Heike (Taira clan) & Genji (Minamoto clan), which young Taira-no-Atsumori was killed by Kumagai Naozane.
Opening hours: all day 7 days a week
Admission: free

Kobe Port Island

Kobe Port Island is a man-made island created in 1981. Connected with the main land by Kobe Ohashi Bridge , it is a town with many high-rise apartments, a few universities, hotels, convention centers and a business center.

Kobe Kachoen

Kobe Kachoen is a bird and flower park where visitors can interact with many birds in a beautiful flower filled atmosphere. They have a collection of tropical birds, parrots, owls, penguins, ducks and more. They hold an owls flying show, penguin hug time, penguin feeding time, fish & duck feeding time every day and visitors can touch and feed most of the birds there. In addition to that, they have a medical fish tank where you can soak your hands or feet to let them eat your keratinized skin only for 300 yen. It is a very funny experience you must try!
More details at their official website: http://www.kamoltd.co.jp/kobe/english/
Opening hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm, 7 days a week
Admission: 1500 yen

KOBE SURROUNDING ATTRACTIONS

Takarazuka

Takarazuka is a popular residential area along with Ashiya and Nishinomiya in Hyogo. It is famous for Takarazuka Revue, hot springs and Hanshin Racecourse.

Takarazuka Revue

Takarazuka Revue is a all female musical theater troupe. Its style is very lavish with gorgeous costumes and the stories are romantic, which attracts many Japanese female fans throughout Japan. The members are graduates of Takarazuka Music School and they have to retire when they get married. The shows are mainly held at Takarazuka Grand Theater here in Takarazuka and Tokyo Takarazuka Theater in Tokyo.

Hanshin Racecourse

Horse racing is big in Japan where over 21,000 races are held a year. A typical major race attracts about 10 million yen. Major horse races are conducted by Japan Racing Association (JRA) which operates under Japanese government. Hanshin Racecourse is one of the ten major racecourses in Japan.
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm, when the race is held
Admission: 200 yen

KOBE ITINERARY

KOBE FORUM

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