Come to Kobe! Japan’s famous port city surrounded by lush green mountains with ocean vistas, there is more to Kobe than beef and cruise-ships.
From the historic Kitano-chō Neighbourhood to the Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway, there are so many things to do in Kobe. The port setting also offers lots of waterside dining and shopping plus parks and a ferris wheel with sea views.
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Say ‘Kanpai’ to Kobe’s sake scene, watch a baseball game (always a ‘big hit’) or just enjoy the peace of Ikuta Jinja or Sorakuen Garden.
Kobe (神戸市) is one of our favorite Japanese cities and an easy trip from both Osaka and Kyoto. Here is our guide to the best things to do in Kobe, Japan.
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Japan checklist
We love using booking.com and agoda.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
Check out our Japan travel resources page >
Getting to Kobe from Osaka
Kobe can be easily reached from Osaka and Kyoto, and the best way to get there is by train.
You can take a shinkansen bullet train from Shin-Osaka station to Shin-Kobe station in just under 15 minutes. Please not Shin-Kobe station is not centrally located.
Alternatively you can take the one of these routes:
- Hankyu Kobe line Limited express train (Osaka-Umeda station to Kobe-Sannomiya station in 25 minutes)
- Hanshin line train (Osaka-Umeda Station to Kobe-Sannomiya station in 30 minutes)
- Hanshin line train (Osaka-Namba Station to Kobe-Sannomiya station in 45 minutes)
Kobe also has an airport and there are several 3-hour long flights a day linking Kobe to Tokyo. Kobe airport is connected to downtown Kobe by the Port Liner train line.
Plan My Japan tip
Buy a Kobe Travel Smart passport which gives you discounted admission to over 45 Kobe attractions and things to do >
Recommended Kobe hotels and accommodation
Budget ($)
Guesthouse Maya
Highly rated hostel with both private rooms and dorms, located in the local town of Nada at the foot of a stunning mountain. Check rates and availability on hostelworld.com, booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Kobe Plaza Hotel West
Basic affordable hotel located a few minutes walk from Motomachi train station, and close to multiple shops and restaurants. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Hotel Okura Kobe
Popular hotel located near the waterfront. Facilities include a fitness centre, tennis court indoor/outdoor pool and sauna room (extra cost), plus onsite restaurants. The free shuttle bus service to Sannomiya Station was very handy. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Check out the best hotels in Kobe via Booking.com and Agoda.com
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Things to do in Kobe, Japan
1. Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Japan continues to surprise us and in Kobe, it is amazing what you can find at the top of a mountain!
The best way to get aerial views of Kobe’s coastline and mountainscapes, the journey to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is via ropeway (cable car).
It soars over gorgeous gardens, and lush lawns arriving at a black and white style teahouse and rose-garden at the summit.
Kobe Nunokibi Herb Garden is Japan’s largest herb garden with over 75,000 herbs and flowers on display, including several colorful conservatories and beautiful botanical gardens blooming into life – it really is a very picturesque activity in Kobe.
Take the ropeway to the top and grab some brews with views before exploring the rose garden – afterwards walk down the hill taking in various floral displays before having a quick relax in a hammock with ocean views (idyllic).
Better yet, this awesome adventure in Nunobiki Herb Garden only costs around 2,000 Yen for a return trip on the Ropeway including admission (around £10 or $13 USD). The cable car boarding station is located near Shin-Kobe station.
Plan My Japan Tip – The Ropeway and Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens round trip cost drops to 1,500 Yen after 5pm so you can enjoy sunset views and pay less.
Book your Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens ticket and ropeway ticket in advance here >
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2. Ikuta Jinja
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, Ikuta Jinja dates back to the third century and is one of the most wonderful places of worship in Kobe.
The setting is serene, surrounded by Ikuta forest trees, complete with a small pond area and traditional red torii gates.
We were lucky enough to visit Ikuta Jinja during the spring when the grounds were covered in sakura. This is definitely one of the best cherry blossom spots in Kobe.
Located with the Ikuta JInja grounds, there are lots of small stalls selling random fortunes and religious offerings, plus is often referred to as the match-making shrine of Kobe.
This is because the deity of Ikuta Shrine, Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, is known as the “Goddess of weaving”, and is said to weave threads together to create good relationships – you might also catch a Shinto wedding ceremony taking place here.
Ikuta Shrine is free admission and open from 7am to 6.30pm daily.
Try this – Kobe tours with Get Your Guide or Viator
3. Kobe Port Tower
Possibly the most iconic landmark in Kobe that features on numerous T-shirts, postcards and souvenirs, the bright red Kobe Port Tower looms large over the harbor. It is over 100 meters high and designed to look like a traditional Japanese drum.
Built in the early 1960s and now open as an observation deck, Kobe Port Tower also lights up at night, acting as a bayside beacon, with thousands of LEDs installed to create a night-time display. At the top, there is a panoramic rooftop cafe – cool beans!
Alas on our last visit, Kobe Port Tower was closed for two-year long renovations but it has now reopened in 2024.
Skip the queue and book your Kobe Port Tower ticket in advance with Klook >
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4. Kobe Chinatown / Nankinmachi
One of only a handful of designated ‘Chinatowns’ in Japan (the biggest Chinatown is in Yokohama), Kobe’s vibrant and colorful Chinese neighborhood (南京町) is one of the top things to do in Kobe (and so tasty too with some amazing food stalls).
Established in 1868, Nankinmachi area grew quickly with Chinese settlers and became a hub of activity associated with imports from the nearby port.
Tragedy struck during WWII when the area was devastated by bombs and the area was rebuilt – it was partially destroyed again by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in the mid 1990s.
Today, it is one of busiest neighborhoods in Kobe and a fine food destination – the queue for the Roishiki stall was always huge but so worth it. We ate takeaways from there several times.
We were partial to Yun Yun’s Shanghai style fried soup dumplings.
Also check out the Kanteibyō (Kuan Ti Miao Temple), built in the 1880s and dedicated to Guan Yu, a revered Chinese warrior.
Read more in our guide to Chinatown in Kobe >
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5. Kobe Harborland
There is no shortage of shopping in Kobe, but one of the best places for retail therapy is Kobe Harborland, a shopping and restaurant complex with waterside views and a multitude of eateries to suit all budgets.
A former freight yard that was transformed into Kobe dining destination in the early 1990s, Kobe Harborland is a nice place to walk around the boardwalks, breathe in the ocean breeze and try traditional snacks and foods like Kobe pudding.
You’ll also find several Kawaii and cool anime shops here like Ultraman and gachapons.
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6. Kobe Kitano-chō neighbourhood
Like no other area or thing to do in Kobe, the Kitano-chō district feels like you aren’t in Kobe anymore. It is a curious and compelling combination of Western / European style residences built during the Meiji period, famous for such homes as the Weathercock House and Rhine House.
The Kitano district developed due to the influx of rich foreign investors who left their home countries to settle here, enjoying the ocean views and cosmopolitan nature of the village.
In fact, it almost feels like being in a theme-park with all the different styles, from an American Midwest style home (Moegi House) to Kobe’s British Pavilion (complete with London Underground panels and English street-signs).
Many of the former homes are open to the public – some are free to visit and some have a small admission charge. There is also a Kitano-chō pass which you buy at any home and gets you into all the rest.
Along the way, there are tranquil temples in the hillsides, bronze statues of historic residents plus Kitano square, complete with cobbled streets and historic lamp-post.
Part Disney, part days of old, Kobe’s Kitano-chō district is worth visiting for the hillside views alone – we just enjoyed our time exploring the alleys and going into the free admission former residences.
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7. Kobe City Hall & Observation Deck
Head to the 24th floor of Kobe City Hall for excellent coastal views and a glimpse of Kobe’s cityscape unfurling before you.
Whilst not as spectacular as the views from the Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway, this is a free Kobe Observation deck that also has a nice little cafe to enjoy some caffeine with your city views.
Better yet, Kobe City Hall observation deck is open until 10pm every evening meaning you can see Kobe lit up by night.
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8. Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park & Museum
A solemn reminder of the devastation caused by the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake that struck Hyōgo Prefecture on January 17, 1995, many parts of Kobe were devastated and over 6,000 people lost their lives.
As well as establishing the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum, there is an area of Kobe port that has been left untouched as a lasting tribute and a reminder of the damage it caused.
Simple yet striking, the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park shows how the tarmac and wharf were torn up by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake, with a twisted street-light, collapsed cement and exposed beams – a haunting and harrowing sight.
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9. Meriken Park and ‘Be Kobe’ sign
A free thing to do in Kobe and one of the busiest spots with both locals and tourists, Meriken Park is where the cruise ships dock and a popular waterfront spot for families, joggers and picnics.
Home to the Kobe Maritime Museum and Port Tower, one of the most popular attractions in Meriken Park is the huge ‘Be Kobe’ sign, which dozens line up to queue in front of and take selfies.
Japan being Japan, it is always refreshing to see young and old respectfully queuing to take their turn in front of the sign too.
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10. Sorakuen Garden & Hassam House
A traditional Japanese garden located a few minutes walk from downtown Kobe, Sorakuen Garden was given to the public in 1941 after a period as the residence of Kobe magnates, the Koderas.
Sorakuen Garden is a sublime and peaceful place to visit, with several traditional style Japanese gardens, ponds, and bridges interspersed with western style buildings including the Hassam House, which was relocated here from nearby Kitano-cho.
Given that Kobe is one of the 10 biggest cities in Japan, the downtown area can feel a little overcrowded at times so this is a joyful Japanese garden to escape the city.
Sorakuen Garden is 300 Yen admission as of summer 2024 and is open from 9am to 5pm (closed every Thursday).
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11. Kobe Oji Zoo (go see the pandas)
Located just a 3 minute walk from Hankyo Oji Koen Station, Kobe Oji zoo is very cheap to visit (around 600 Yen – approx £3 / $3.80 USD) plus home to pandas big and small!
It is a ‘paw-some’ thing to do in Kobe, although the zoo is looking a little dated and rough around the edges (maybe they should charge a higher admission).
There are lots of animals to see, from polar bears to elephants, tigers to monkeys but obviously the star of the zoo is the pandas, who are kept in an enclosure.
They have red pandas too and supposedly gorillas (but when we visited Kobe Zoo, all we saw were cardboard gorillas – a true story)!
We’d recommend Kobe Oji zoo if you have kids (as it has a big amusement centre) or love zoos, but otherwise, maybe only do this if you have a lot of time in Kobe.
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12. Nunobiki Waterfalls
To get a little bit closer to nature, take the 20 minute hike from Shin Kobe Station to Nunobiki waterfalls.
Hidden amongst Kobe’s leafy green forests, Nunobiki Falls consist of a series of several streams and waterfalls, powered by the run-off from nearby Mount Rokko and other peaks.
If you are feeling lazy (like us) or it is too hot / cold to attempt the hike, you also get a beautiful bird’s eye view of the Nunobiki Waterfalls from the Nunobiki Herb Gardens Ropeway.
To get the best view, just try to grab a seat on the far side of the cable-car as you depart from the lower station.
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13. Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel
The Kobe attraction with real ‘altitude’, the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel is easy to spot from all over the city (mainly because it’s big and red, just like the nearby Kobe Port Tower).
Popular with kids and families, the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel looks out over the harbor and enjoys views of Mt Rokko, Kobe Bridge and the occasional cruise ship.
At night, Kobe’s famous ferris wheel illuminates with over 120,000 LEDs – the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel is open daily from 10am to 10pm and costs 800 Yen per person (children under 2 go free).
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14. Umie Mall
Just across from Kobe Harborland, Umie Mall is one of the biggest shopping centers in Kobe and a great all weather activity.
Split into three distinct areas, North Mall, South Mall and Mosaic, you’ll find big brands like Zara, GAP, H&M, ABC and UNIQLO plus a nice branch of the famous Japanese 100 Yen store, Seria 100.
We also found this a useful place to grab snacks in the daytime like takoyaki from Gindaco, cream puffs from Beard Papa and chips from the CALBEE store.
Umie Mall Kobe is open daily from 10am to 8pm.
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15. Don Quijote stores (including a MEGA Donki)
Don Quijote Japan discount department stores are home to thousands of items generally at low prices, from Pocky to fake food, Hello Kitty to Kit Kats (plus more interesting ‘adult sections’ featuring TENGA).
There are several branches of Don Quijote in Kobe including the MEGA Don Quijote Kobe Store, which is open until 5am every day. The other downtown Don Quijote (Don Quijote Sannomiya) is open 24 hours a day so they are great for shopping at night in Kobe.
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16. Kobe Red Brick Warehouse / Kobe Elvis Presley Statue
Constructed in the 1890s, these historic storage depots used to store goods and foods imported from all over the world. Like much of Kobe Port, they were transformed in the 1980s and are now a small-scale shopping area and dining complex.
Inside, you’ll find a handful of cute craft stores and souvenir shops but on our visit, the whole area seemed pretty quiet.
We were also intrigued by the Kobe Elvis Presley statue here, apparently one of only three official Elvis Statues in the world (uh-huh-huh!).
The weird thing is, Elvis has never been to Kobe (We’re all shook up!) and the statue was originally installed in Harajuku, Tokyo, before being moved to Kobe station then here. We just hope they don’t Return To Sender!
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17. Go to a Kobe baseball game
Baseball in Kobe is big business and the city’s most popular sport. So if you happen to be visiting Kobe during the Japanese Baseball season (usually March to October), you must purchase Orix Buffaloes tickets and make a home-run to Hotto Motto Field Kobe.
Kobe baseball tickets can easily be bought by foreigners or visitors online or in person at the Hotto Motto Field box office.
Please note though that the Orix Buffaloes play half their ‘home’ games in Osaka (the side is shared between Osaka and Kobe) so be sure to check the baseball schedule.
Japanese baseball games are always fun with cheerleaders, bands, beers, cheers and more – read our experience of going to a Tokyo Dome baseball game with the Yomiuri Giants or seeing the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
18. Kobe sake tasting / Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Kanpai to Kobe! Some of Japan’s finest sake originates from Kobe, particularly in the Nada District. It has been brewed here since the Edo period and is said to account for almost a third of Japan’s sake production – we’ll drink to that.
There are several ways to enjoy Kobe sake, either at source at the famous Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, or via one the popular sake tours, where you learn about the rich history of how it is brewed, before sampling several sakes:
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- A walking tour of Japan’s best sake brewery, Nada Sake Brewery >
19. Nishimura Kobe coffee shop
Likely the oldest coffee shop in Kobe, Nishimura’s black and white Tudor style coffee shop has been brewing the best coffee since 1948 in the very same location.
Given the Tudor exterior and English tea-room style interiors, you’d be right in thinking this looks like a little bit of Britain in Kobe – it is also said to be the first coffee shop in Japan to serve both black coffee and cappuccino.
Famous for its rich coffee and afternoon teas, Nishimura also recently unveiled the ultimate iced-coffee causing a buzz on social media.
Here you can drink a cup of coffee served in the middle of a hollowed out piece of ice (which you then drink with a straw so as not to ice-burn your hands).
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20. Kobe Maritime Museum
Located in Kobe’s port area and Mariken Park, set sail for the Kobe Maritime Museum.
Famous for its iconic wave-like roof, the Kobe Maritime Museum details Kobe Port’s rich history since the harbor opened to trade in the late 1860s.
Inside you’ll find permanent exhibitions and temporary installations as well as a crane simulator, where you get to experience unloading a vessel in Kobe Port.
There are several ships and vessels on display including the Yamato 1, the world’s first superconducting ship. Kobe Maritime Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm and costs 900 Yen for adults and 400 yen for children.
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21. Kitano Meister Garden
One of our favourite hidden gems in Kobe, Kitano Meister Garden is a cute crafts and gifts workshop with several restaurants and food kiosks, located in an old Kobe school.
Some of the former school-rooms and the former principals office have been preserved as they used to be whilst most have been transformed into an array of artisan stores and traditional gift-shops. It is also a handy free toilet stop if you are exploring the Kitano neighborhood!
Many of the shops here offer craft classes, ranging from candle making through to making your own pork buns.
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22. Kobe Harbor cruise
The best way to see Kobe Port is by water so time to jump on a Kobe Harbor cruise.
One of the most popular is the Concerto Cruise that departs regularly from the harbor. Set sail on an afternoon ocean sailing odyssey with a drink or treat yourselves to an evening cruise that includes a fancy French dinner.
Get up close to the Akashi Kaikyo bridge and enjoy live music – this is the ultimate way to see Kobe by sea.
Book your deluxe Concerto Cruise in Kobe here >
23. Hub Pub in Kobe
‘Kanpai’ to some British ‘boozing’ culture in Kobe – there is a brilliant British themed Hub Pub in Kobe, the HUB Sannomiya Moonlight Building.
One of Japan’s biggest bar chains with over 100 pubs, the 82 Ale House and HUB pubs are British themed pubs that have (VERY) happy hours, pub grub style food plus bar interiors just like British pubs.
If you are planning a big night out, the Hub Pub happy hours are an inexpensive way to kick-start your evening – they are a great spot to watch live sports too like baseball.
Check out our full guide to Japan’s British themed HUB Pub Bars and 82 Ale Houses here >
24. Anpanman Children’s Museum
Let’s Go Anpanman! A famous kids’s cartoon character in Japan, there are several Anpanman Children’s Museums across Japan including this waterfront museum in Kobe port.
As well as a themed mall selling Anpanman gifts, there is a huge cartoon world and indoor playground plus a show where they get to see Anpanman in action. Fun foods and snacks are also available to buy.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm costing 2,000 to 2,500 Yen per child / adult – the fun shopping area is free.
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25. Other things to do in Kobe
Other Kobe activities include:
- Kobe Rokkosan Tourist Pass – grab the pass that’s available only for foreign tourists to get around Mount Rokko cheaply including discounts to Rokkō Alpine Botanical Gard and more >
- Kobe Animal Kingdom – get up close and pet over 150 different animals like capybaras and kangaroos. Get your Kobe Animal Kingdom tickets here >
- Learn pen skills then get p*ssed on the Kobe Motomachi Japanese Calligraphy Experience and Bar Hopping Tour >
- Unwind at the 24 hour Kobe Harborland 24 Onsen Manyo Club Hot Spring >
- Try Kobe beef >
- Look at fish at at the Urban Aquarium AQUARIUM×ART átoa >
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