It’s taken me a few years—and lots of journeys—to get to know Kobe. This makes me even sadder that so many vacationers overlook it, or just come on a day journey.
Which isn’t to say there’s something mistaken with that: Whether or not you come from Kyoto or Osaka, and whether or not you keep in Kobe-proper or pair it with close by Himeji Fortress, Kobe is maybe top-of-the-line day journeys you’ll be able to take anyplace in Japan.
Alternatively, when you’re versatile about what number of days in Kobe you’ll be able to spend—I recommend staying no less than one night time—the town and the remainder of surrounding Hyogo prefecture will actually come alive for you. Right here’s my Kobe itinerary.
Why So Many Vacationers Solely Go to Kobe on a Day Journey
Kobe is barely round an hour from Kyoto (and fewer than an hour from Osaka), which makes it a preferred day-trip vacation spot from each. Furthermore, since many vacationers assume that Kobe solely affords the promise of a scrumptious wa-gyu lunch or dinner, the presumption is that only some hours within the metropolis are obligatory. That is significantly the case amongst vacationers that spend a day or night in Kobe following a morning at Himeji Fortress.
Paradoxically, many international guests who come to Kobe are unaware of actions within the metropolis apart from the eating places that serve its well-known beef. (Don’t fear—if that group contains you, I’m about to elucidate in larger element what else you are able to do!) Personally, I imagine that if extra folks knew about all there was to do in Kobe’s metropolis middle, extra would choose to sleep right here for no less than one night time, and that even folks trying to find mother-daughter journey locations may find yourself selecting it.
What to Do in Kobe (No Matter How Lengthy You Keep)
Dine on Kobe beef
A humorous truth about Kobe beef is that none of it’s farmed in Kobe—it’s merely slaughtered there, after having been farmed offshore on Awaji Island (which I’ll point out once more only a minute). Regardless, there are many locations to get pleasure from a tremendous wa-gyu lunch or dinner close to Kobe’s central Sannomiya Station, whether or not you select someplace extra mainstream just like the Steakland chain, or a higher-end spot like Wakkoqu.
Return in time in Kitano-cho or Chinatown
Irrespective of what number of days in Kobe you resolve to spend, do your self a favor and dive deep into the town’s distinctive historical past. For some vacationers, the Western-style homes of Ijinkan-gai road in Kitano-cho (which is “up the hill” from the town middle) will do the trick. Others want extra delicacies with their tradition, and can experience to Motomachi Station to discover Nankin-machi, Kobe’s Chinatown, which is considered one of Japan’s oldest.
TIP: One other attention-grabbing place in Kobe to journey again in time is at distinctive Suma-dera temple, which is very revelatory when you take this illuminating tour.
Go to considered one of Kobe’s many viewpoints
Talking of going up the hill, Kobe’s topography makes it simple to see the town from a special perspective. In the event you arrive or depart through Shinkansen at Shin-Kobe Station, you can also make the brief stroll to Nunobiki Herb Backyard, whose ropeway will take you to considered one of Kobe’s greatest viewpoints. One other nice possibility is Mt. Rokko, which requires a brief bus experience however could be very well worth the journey.
TIP: In the event you come to Kobe in autumn (whose colours peak round December 1), Nunobiki Herb Backyard specifically is a superb alternative. As you see above, the crimson leaves listed below are simply spectacular!
Watch Kobe Port Tower gentle up
Among the finest issues about staying in a single day in Kobe, versus coming for the day, is with the ability to watch night time fall over the town. Whereas the Kobe skyline isn’t Japan’s most iconic, it’s unimaginable to disclaim how charming the vermillion Kobe Port Tower is, regardless of the place you’re when it lights up, or what number of days in Kobe you find yourself spending.
Discover the remainder of Hyogo prefecture
Hyogo, the prefecture the place you discover Kobe, is simply as underrated as the town is—properly, with the attainable exception of fashionable Himeji Fortress. Not removed from the town you’ll discover progressive Akashi, whose superlative fish market is far more accessible to foreigners than its revolutionary social insurance policies. In case you have time (and, ideally, a rental automobile), you’ll be able to both head inland to Tamba-Sasayama, or over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to distinctive Awaji Island.
So, How Many Days is Sufficient in Kobe?
In the event you merely wished to remain in Kobe-proper and dive into the town, I’d say that 2-3 nights can be optimum. This is able to offer you no less than someday “down the hill” in Sannomiya, Chinatown and at Kobe Port, and a day “up the hill” in Kitano-cho and at a number of of Kobe’s viewpoints. Including in a 3rd (or fourth or fifth) day would unlock the remainder of Hyogo prefecture—three for someplace simple like Himeji, 4 or 5 if you wish to go to Awaji Island.
After all, on this latter case (i.e. when you journey to Awaji-shima), it turns into a dialogue not of what number of days in Kobe (i.e. at a resort within the metropolis), however within the area. From Awaji specifically, it’s frequent to journey onward to Shikoku’s Tokushima metropolis. Likewise, you’ll be able to proceed from Himeji to Okayama and deeper into the Setouchi area.
Different FAQ About Planning a Journey to Kobe
Is Kobe value a day journey?
Kobe is completely value a day journey from Osaka or Kyoto, whether or not you merely come for a wa-gyu lunch, or discover different points of interest, such because the historic houses of Kitano-cho, charming Chinatown or the colourful Kobe Port space. In the event you can, nevertheless, I like to recommend staying no less than an evening in Kobe.
Is Kobe value visiting for beef?
The meat in Kobe is certainly value taking the prepare in for the day, significantly when you’re capable of rating a reservation at one of many metropolis’s finer Teppanyaki eating places. Nonetheless, when you’re going to make the journey right here, I often recommend doing one thing else, even when you merely watch the Kobe Port Tower gentle up after dinner.
Is Kobe nearer to Osaka or Kyoto?
Kobe is nearer to Osaka than to Kyoto, each when it comes to geographical distance (~35 km. vs ~75 km) in addition to logistically talking. Sannomiya Station (which is Kobe’s fundamental railway hub) is simply half-hour by Particular Fast prepare from Osaka Station, whereas it’s 50 minutes from Kyoto. Taking the Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe requires much less preliminary journey time, however that station is much exterior the town middle, making it much less handy within the final sense.
The Backside Line
You’re certain to get pleasure from Japan’s metropolis of wa-gyu, regardless of how expansive your Kobe itinerary is. Nonetheless, when you can handle to sleep an evening or two right here as an alternative of simply coming in for the day from Osaka, you’ll be capable to recognize Kobe for lots extra than simply its well-known beef. Some vacationers will dig deep into the city-proper, whether or not through immersion within the historical past of Kitano-cho, or taking within the view from Mt. Rokko or Nunobiki Herb Backyard. Others will discover surrounding Hyogo prefecture, be that in fashionable locations like Himeji, or off the overwhelmed path on Awaji Island. Irrespective of the way you envision your individual journey to Japan, I hope you’ll take into account hiring me to plan it!