Kobe Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kobe
Tour the south-central Japanese city that has rebuilt itself after a devastating earthquake. Be charmed by its waterfront attractions and diverse neighborhoods.

Kobe is an attractive, cosmopolitan city that sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Devastated by an earthquake in 1995, Kobe has been completely rebuilt. Visit its bustling waterfront, monuments and fascinating neighborhoods.

After two centuries of isolation, Kobe was one of the first Japanese cities to open its doors to the West. Explore Kobe’s port, also known as the Bay Area, one of Japan’s busiest trading ports, which also serves as a shopping and entertainment district. Visit the department stores of Harborland, ride the giant Ferris wheel and take a boat cruise around the bay.

Visit the waterfront Meriken Park and its memorial to the earthquake victims. Learn about the port’s history at the Kobe Maritime Museum. See the city from the top-floor viewing platform of Kobe Port Tower. This 335-foot (108-meter) red steel structure resembles a large twisted tube and is illuminated by colored lights at night. From the tower, enjoy the view of majestic Mount Rokkō. Ride a gondola up the mountain to find walking trails, a botanical garden and hot springs.

When foreign traders first came to Kobe in the early 20th century, they built houses and mansions in the Kitano district. These former residences are now public museums. Inspect the intricately carved bars in England House and explore its Sherlock Holmes Room, a representation of the fictional detective’s headquarters. Admire French artwork and beautiful antique furniture inside France House.

Enjoy Kobe’s cultural events, including the biannual Kobe Fashion Week and Kobe Jazz Street, a jazz festival held every October. Try some of the renowned Kobe beef, a delicious marbled meat from local wagyu cattle. Visit Chinatown, a lively tourist area with restaurants, food stalls and souvenir stores.

Fly into Kansai International Airport, which is 40 miles (64.4 kilometers) south of Kobe. Get around on foot, by public transportation or by renting a car. Kobe experiences hot, humid summers and cool winters. With historic character and plenty of attractions, Kobe is an irresistible addition to your travel itinerary for Japan.

Where to stay in Kobe

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Sannomiya

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Travellers choose Sannomiya for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station or Boeki Center Station and check out top sights like Ikuta Shrine.

Sannomiya
Kobe Tower featuring a city, a skyscraper and modern architecture

Kobe City Centre

5/5(21 area reviews)

Travellers choose Kobe City Centre for its captivating waterfront views. Hop aboard the metro at Kyukyoryuchi Daimarumae Station or Motomachi Station and check out top sights like Ikuta Shrine.

Kobe City Centre
Kobe featuring a city and street scenes

Chuo Ward

5/5(1 area review)

You might take some time to check out the waterfront views in Chuo Ward. Spend some time visiting top spots like Shin-Kobe Ropeway, and catch the metro at Shinkobe Station or Sannomiya Hanadokeimae Station to see more of the area.

Chuo Ward

Hyogo

Hyogo is well liked for its restaurants and museums. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Noevir Stadium Kobe and Osaka Bay are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Shinkaichi Station or Kamisawa Station to get around.

Hyogo
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Arimacho

Discover Arimacho, memorable for its hot springs. Popular attractions in Arimacho include Arima Hot Springs and Kin no yu, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Arima Onsen Station.

Arimacho
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum which includes a garden and flowers

Higashinada

5/5(1 area review)

Get to know Higashinada and its many features like its bars and museums. You might want to explore sights like Mount Rokko and Osaka Bay, and you can jump on the metro at Island Kitaguchi Station or Island Center Station to get around the city.

Higashinada
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
3.5 out of 5
1-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is AU$79 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
AU$79
per night
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,075 reviews)
"Love the location and near dotonburi. Well book again when i have a chance."

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2024

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is AU$138 per night from 8 May to 9 May
AU$138
per night
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,459 reviews)
"Pretty good hotel, excellent location"

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2024

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is AU$194 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
AU$194
per night
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,372 reviews)
"Fantastic place"

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
RakutenSTAY×Shamaison Osaka Dekijima Station
RakutenSTAY×Shamaison Osaka Dekijima Station
3 out of 5
1-12-14 Dekijima Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka fu
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (352 reviews)
"The stay was wonderful. The property was clean. The checkout and checking in was very quick and easy. Loved the amenities. It’s close to train station."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

RakutenSTAY×Shamaison Osaka Dekijima Station
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
4 out of 5
1 Shichijoodori Higashihorikawa Nishiiru, Yaoyacho Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (181 reviews)
Super cute apartments with great location
"Great location that is very close to the Kyoto Station. Friendly staff and excellent accommodations with everything you need in an apartment"

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2024

MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
Hotel Abitare Namba West
Hotel Abitare Namba West
3 out of 5
2-chome-2-44 Saiwaicho Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a kitchen. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (282 reviews)
"Everything was great, except the hotel apartment did not provide clean towels each day. We had to wash our own in the room washer. A laundromat was a few block away where we could wash and dry. Our hotel apartment in Ueno did provide clean towels every day, so I don't know why this hotel in Osaka ..."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2024

Hotel Abitare Namba West
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Kobe

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
19
" "5 - Excellent 61.29032258064516%
4 - Good
11
" "4 - Good 35.483870967741936%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 3.225806451612903%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Dec 2019

a nice place for a weekend getaway from Osaka

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Jun 2019

A beautiful city that surprised us. I think it’s a great place to get some shopping done as it was no where near as busy as Osaka/Tokyo, but was still ginormous and filled with shopping malls.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
10 Jun 2019

Nice town to visit. It is a lot more pleasant to walk around compared to Osaka which is filled with tourists.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Jun 2019

Lovely city, wish we had more time to explore before going on the cruise

5/5 - Excellent

Ros
29 May 2019

Very comfortable easy city to get around, by walking or loop bus. Harbourland is great. Nunobiri Herb Gardens and gondola beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 May 2019

Beautiful gardens,and streets and easy to walk. Many sculptures and places of interest. Certainly Kobe beef a must ! Mt Rokko at night would be ideal to see lights. Discovered 2 little gems : lamp museum and glass works .

Cities near Kobe