How Many Days is Sufficient for Kobe?

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 incorrect 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 probably probably the greatest day journeys you may take wherever in Japan.

Alternatively, if you happen to’re versatile about what number of days in Kobe you may spend—I counsel staying at the very least one night time—the town and the remainder of surrounding Hyogo prefecture will actually come alive for you.

Why So Many Vacationers Solely Go to Kobe on a Day Journey

Kobe is simply 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 gives the promise of a scrumptious wa-gyu lunch or dinner, the presumption is that only some hours within the metropolis are mandatory. 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 in addition to eating places service its well-known beef. (Don’t fear—if that group contains you, I’m about to elucidate in higher element what else you are able to do!) Personally, I consider that if extra folks knew about all there was to do in Kobe’s metropolis heart, extra would decide to sleep right here for at the very least one night time.

What to Do in Kobe (No Matter How Lengthy You Keep)

Dine on Kobe beef

A humorous reality 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 an incredible 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

Regardless 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 heart) will do the trick. Others choose extra delicacies with their tradition, and can trip to Motomachi Station to discover Nankin-machi, Kobe’s Chinatown, which is considered one of Japan’s oldest.

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 distinct perspective. For those who arrive or depart through Shinkansen at Shin-Kobe Station, you can also make the quick stroll to Nunobiki Herb Backyard, whose ropeway will take you to considered one of Kobe’s greatest viewpoints. One other nice choice is Mt. Rokko, which requires a brief bus trip however could be very well worth the journey

Watch Kobe Port Tower mild 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 inconceivable to disclaim how charming the vermillion Kobe Port Tower is, irrespective of the place you might be 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 common Himeji Fortress. Not removed from the town you’ll discover progressive Akashi, whose superlative fish market is rather more accessible to foreigners than its revolutionary social insurance policies. When you’ve got time (and, ideally, a rental automobile), you may both head inland to Tamba-Sasayama, or over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to distinctive Awaji Island.

So, How Many Days is Sufficient in Kobe?

For those who merely wished to remain in Kobe-proper and dive into the town, I’d say that 2-3 nights can be optimum. This could provide you with at the very least at some point “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.

In fact, on this latter case (i.e. if you happen to 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 widespread to journey onward to Shikoku’s Tokushima metropolis. Likewise, you may 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 totally value a day journey from Osaka or Kyoto, whether or not you merely come for a wa-gyu lunch, or discover different sights, such because the historic houses of Kitano-cho, fascinating Chinatown or the colourful Kobe Port space. For those who can, nevertheless, I like to recommend staying at the very least an evening in Kobe.

Is Kobe value visiting for beef?

The meat in Kobe is unquestionably value taking the prepare in for the day, significantly if you happen to’re in a position to rating a reservation at one of many metropolis’s finer Teppanyaki eating places. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re going to make the journey right here, I often counsel doing one thing else, even if you happen to merely watch the Kobe Port Tower mild up after dinner.

Is Kobe nearer to Osaka or Kyoto?

Kobe is nearer to Osaka than to Kyoto, each by way of geographical distance (~35 km. vs ~75 km) in addition to logistically talking. Sannomiya Station (which is Kobe’s essential railway hub) is simply half-hour by Particular Speedy 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 way exterior the town heart, making it much less handy within the final sense.

The Backside Line

You’re positive to get pleasure from Japan’s metropolis of wa-gyu, irrespective of what number of days in Kobe you’re in a position to spend. Nonetheless, if you happen to can handle to sleep an evening or two right here as a substitute of simply coming in for the day from Osaka, you’ll be capable of 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 common locations like Himeji, or off the overwhelmed path on Awaji Island. Regardless of the way you envision your individual journey to Japan, I hope you’ll think about hiring me to plan it!