Kobe on a Budget: 3 Days of Adventure

Discover the hidden gems of Kobe without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Visiting Kobe, Japan on a limited budget is possible and rewarding. Delicious food can be found at affordable prices at street vendors, while the scenic Rokko Mountain offers free hikes and spectacular views of the city. A trip to the iconic Kobe Port Tower may also be possible with reasonable admission fees for the observation deck.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Arriving in Kobe

  • Check into the Hotel Sunroute Sopra Kobe, a modern business hotel with great rates.
  • Head out to explore Kitano-cho, the historic foreigner’s district with houses from the late 1800s.
  • Visit Ikuta Shrine, founded in the 3rd century, it's one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
  • Stop by Nankinmachi, the famous Chinatown area with over 100 Chinese restaurants.
  • Try some Kobe beef at Itoji, a reasonably priced yakiniku restaurant with a cozy atmosphere.
Day 2

Sake, Seafood, and Gardens

  • Take a morning train to the nearby town of Nada for a Sake Brewery Tour.
  • Enjoy a seafood lunch in Akashi, home of the legendary Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
  • Walk along the waterfront to Meriken Park, a postmodern park with plenty of sculptures and installations.
  • Visit the beautiful Sorakuen Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with stunning autumn foliage.
  • End the day with a soulful jazz performance at the entertainers’ street Jazz Alley.
Day 3

From Castles to Hot Springs

  • Explore Himeji Castle, one of the finest surviving examples of Japanese castle architecture.
  • Follow the scenic trail of Mount Rokko to Arima Onsen, one of Japan's most famous hot spring towns.
  • Indulge in a relaxing soak in a traditional Japanese bathhouse in Arima Onsen.
  • Have traditional kaiseki cuisine at Arima Hoshi, one of the top-rated onsen resorts in the area.
  • Take a night-time stroll around the lights of Kobe Harborland, a modern waterfront development with shops and restaurants.
  • Kobe has everything to satisfy any traveler, from historic landmarks, delicious food, cultural attractions, and plenty of adventures. You will leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Kobe, Japan by plane is to fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) and take the airport limousine bus directly to Kobe Station. This takes about 65 minutes and costs approximately 1,850 yen.

Car

If you are driving to Kobe, the easiest route is to take the Hanshin Expressway from Osaka. Depending on traffic, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to reach Kobe city center.

Train

If you prefer to travel by train to Kobe, the best option is to take the Shinkansen from Tokyo or Osaka to Shin-Kobe Station. This takes approximately 2 hours from either city and costs around 14,000 yen one way.

Boat

While there are no direct boat services to Kobe, you can take a ferry from Osaka to nearby port cities such as Kobe Airport or Kobe-Nishi Port. From there, you can take a bus or train to the city center.

Bus

If you are on a budget, the best way to get to Kobe by bus is to take a highway bus from Tokyo or Osaka. From Tokyo, it takes about 9 hours and costs around 9,000 yen. From Osaka, it takes just over an hour and costs about 1,800 yen.

Destination

Kobe

Welcome to the land of hidden gems, where you can marvel at majestic temples, indulge in delicious cuisine, and maybe even catch a glimpse of Kobe Bryant (just kidding, he's retired).

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

More travel plans

Kobe, Japan: A Day Trip of Sights and Flavors

As a tourist visiting Kobe, you can indulge in the city's famous Kobe beef and explore the bustling Chinatown. You can also admire the panoramic view of the city from the observation deck of the Kobe Port Tower or take a relaxing stroll through the scenic Meriken Park. Finally, make sure to visit the Hakutsuru Sake Museum and enjoy a tasting of traditional Japanese sake.

Kobe on a Budget: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide

Kobe on a budget? No problem! From strolling the atmospheric streets of Kitano to visiting the city's famous Kitano-cho mansions, exploring the Kobe City Museum, or waking around the Meriken Park, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do in Kobe. You can also enjoy a variety of delicious and affordable meals, such as Kobe beef burgers, sushi, and street food, and stay in affordable accommodation like hostels or capsule hotels.

Kobe: A 5-Day Adventure on a Budget

A trip to Kobe, Japan on a limited budget would include exploring tourist attractions such as the Kobe Municipal Arboretum and Kobe Port Tower for free and trying local street food, such as takoyaki and yakiniku, for a budget-friendly dining experience. Staying in hostels or budget hotels, such as J-Hoppers Kobe Guesthouse or Toyoko Inn Kobe Sannomiya, would also keep the trip affordable.

Kobe on a Budget: A 2 Day Adventure!

A trip to Kobe, Japan on a limited budget is still possible with careful planning. Consider staying in a budget-friendly hostel and taking advantage of the city's public transportation system. Don't miss the opportunity to try Kobe beef, which can be found at local restaurants at a reasonable price.