7 Best Things to Do in Kobe: Japan Travel Guide

Looking to get away from the hordes of crowds on Japan’s standard Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka travel route? Kobe has a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from other nearby Kansai cities.

This port city offers a sophisticated dining scene, historic foreign settlements and natural attractions, all while maintaining a relaxed vibe that contrasts with the energy of Osaka or the formality of Kyoto.

Let’s take a look at why Kobe would make a great addition to your Japan journey.

Top Things To Do in Kobe

Kobe rewards visitors with diverse attractions that showcase its port city heritage and modern development. Let’s jump in and find out where you should visit to experience this great city in Japan’s Kansai region.

1. Nada Sake Area

The Nada district produces some of Japan's finest sake, thanks to ideal water sources and climate conditions. Several breweries offer tours and tastings, with the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum providing detailed insights into traditional production methods.

Kikumasamune is another such entry in this field. Many breweries maintain traditional buildings that make for excellent photos. The area includes five sake districts, each with its own characteristics and brewing traditions. English information helps international visitors understand the sake-making process.

Several breweries offer tasting courses where visitors can compare different sake varieties and learn about proper serving temperatures. Some facilities include restaurants serving local dishes designed to pair well with their sake selections.

You can also dine at the Nadagogo sake pairing restaurant, and appreciate how Japan’s brewed rice wine goes great with a variety of good eats (Japanese and non-Japanese alike).

2. Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)

Kobe's compact Chinatown packs plenty of character into its narrow streets. It’s one of the best Chinatowns in Japan! 

Food stalls and restaurants serve Chinese specialties alongside Japanese-Chinese fusion dishes. The area comes alive during Chinese New Year celebrations but maintains a lively atmosphere year-round with shops selling traditional goods and street food.

Popular foods include steamed buns (try the Nikuman at Roshoki & Ikkanrou), dim sum, and Kobe's unique interpretation of Chinese dishes. Many restaurants specialize in specific dishes like xiaolongbao or peking duck. 

Street food vendors in Kobe’s Chinatown offer quick bites that are perfect for sampling multiple specialties.

The district features two main gates and several smaller ones, all decorated in traditional Chinese architectural styles. Shopping options include traditional Chinese medicines, tea shops, and specialty food stores.

While you’re in the area, Motomachi Shotengai is a 6-block long, covered shopping arcade that showcases a great example of local street life. It’s got produce and meat shops, restaurants and cafes, mom & pop shops and terrific people-watching.

3. The Kobe Beef Experience

Authentic Kobe beef restaurants range from high-end establishments to more casual teppanyaki spots. If you’re a wagyu (Japanese beef) fan, don’t miss the experience of eating Kobe beef in… Kobe!

While prices reflect the premium quality, the melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor make it worth trying at least once. Many restaurants offer lunch specials that make this luxury more accessible. Expect small portions but delectable cuisine.

True Kobe beef comes from a specific strain of Japanese Black cattle raised according to strict traditions in Hyogo Prefecture. Restaurants certified to serve genuine Kobe beef display special certificates. Many establishments allow you to watch as skilled chefs prepare the meat on teppanyaki grills.

Misono is the OG of Kobe beef teppanyaki, and these days you can also have a great experience at teppanyaki palaces such as high-end Royal Mouriya, to mid-range Iwasaki, to bargain but beefy Steakland.

4. Kitano District: Kobe History on the Hillside

The Kitano area preserves several ijinkan (foreign residences) from Kobe's early days as a foreign settlement. 

These Western-style buildings now serve as museums, restaurants and shops. The hillside location offers views of the city and port, while the streets maintain a European atmosphere with cafes and boutiques.

Many houses open to the public showcase different architectural styles from various countries. Some buildings house cafes serving Western-style pastries and coffee using recipes dating back to Kobe's early international days.

5. Museums in Kobe

The Kawasaki Good Times World (yup, that’s the name, taken from the company’s tagline that used to accompany ads on TV in the US and elsewhere) showcases the company's technological developments, from motorcycles to aerospace.

Interactive exhibits allow visitors to experience various technologies firsthand. The museum includes historic motorcycles and displays about shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing.

The Anpanman Children's Museum delights young visitors with interactive exhibits featuring the popular character. Regular shows and activities keep children engaged while teaching values like friendship and helping others. The facility includes play areas suitable for different age groups. Plus it’s right at Harborland, with shops & restaurants at Mosaic, and even a Ferris wheel right on the water.

The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art houses an impressive collection of modern works. The building itself, designed by Tadao Ando, represents contemporary Japanese architecture. Regular special exhibitions complement the permanent collection. 

Nearby on the Kobe Harbor Walk, the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum lights up brilliantly at night, and by day is a tribute to the tragic loss of life and heroic rescue efforts of the 1995 Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake.

6. Nunobiki Herb Gardens

Perched on the slopes of Mount Rokko in Kobe, the Nunobiki Herb Gardens are spread across 40 acres of meticulously maintained hillside grounds. 

Accessible via a scenic ropeway ride from the Shin-Kobe Station, this botanical idyll is one of Japan's largest herb gardens. It features over 75,000 herbs and flowers representing more than 200 species. The gardens are divided into distinctive themed areas, including the fragrant Herb Garden, the seasonal Flower Garden, and the lovely Garden of Peace. 

Nunobiki “Ha-bu En” (as the locals call it) also has a well-stocked herb shop and a restaurant serving herb-infused dishes – taste the garden's bounty!

The observation deck at the top of the ropeway has panoramic views of Kobe City and Osaka Bay. The garden’s lavender and roses bloom in spring, while fall colors here are among the best in the region.

7. Arima Onsen

Just over the mountain from Kobe proper, Arima Onsen ranks among Japan's oldest hot spring towns. 

The area's famous golden brown and clear silver waters offer different mineral compositions and health benefits. Many hotels provide day-use options for their baths, making it possible to visit even if you're not staying overnight.

The golden brown waters contain iron and salt, while silver waters feature carbonation and radium. Various facilities offer both indoor and outdoor bathing experiences. The surrounding area in Arima Onsen town includes traditional shopping streets with stores selling local crafts and snacks.

Souvenirs From Kobe

Cakes & Sweets

The German-inspired baumkuchen cake has become a Kobe specialty, with several famous bakeries (such as Juchheim) putting their own spin on the traditional recipe.

The ring-shaped cake features distinct layers created by building up thin layers of batter. Various flavors and sizes make it suitable for different preferences and occasions.

Other Kobe bakeries and sweets shops include Morozoff, Goncharoff, Fugetsudo an Hon-Takasogoya. 

Sake

Nada district sake makes an excellent souvenir, with many breweries offering special bottles you won't find elsewhere. Seasonal releases and limited editions provide unique gift options. Staff can recommend options based on taste preferences and help with proper storage instructions.

Other Popular Souvenirs

Several historic coffee roasters offer special blends and beautiful packaging. Kobe leather goods showcase local crafting traditions, available in items from small accessories to larger pieces.

How To Get To Kobe

From Osaka, frequent trains run to Kobe's Sannomiya Station, taking less than half an hour on special rapid services. Multiple train lines provide options for different starting points and destinations within Kobe; look at the options with JR, Hanshin and Hankyu.

From Kyoto, the journey takes about 50 minutes using JR special rapid trains. 

The Sannomiya Kobe city center connects well with Kansai International Airport via limousine bus service. Better yet, you can catch domestic flights by taking the Portliner (world’s first fully automated train system, launched in 1981) to Kobe Airport, with destinations including Tokyo Haneda, Sapporo, Sendai, Okinawa and more.

Is Kobe Worth Visiting?

I live here so take that into account, but I’m going to have to give a resounding “hai!” (‘yes!’) to that question.

Kobe differs from its Kansai neighbors and provides a break from tourist crowds while maintaining excellent attractions and dining options. Kobe’s relatively compact size makes it easy to explore, and the mix of international influence with Japanese culture creates a great atmosphere.

The city's rebuilding after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake demonstrates human resilience. 

Day Trip or Overnight?

While Kobe's main attractions can be covered in a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, staying overnight allows for a more relaxed pace and the chance to enjoy evening activities. An overnight stay particularly makes sense if you plan to visit Arima Onsen or want to enjoy a leisurely Kobe beef dinner.

The city's night views from Mount Rokko or Harborland reward those who stay into the evening. The Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park light up after dark – a romantic evening!