4 Days of Fun and Relaxation in Kobe, Japan

Experience the mystique of Japan's enchanting port city, Kobe.

03 May 2023

Kobe, Japan is a beautiful city filled with cultural and historic attractions. Some popular tourist spots include the Kobe Port Tower, the Kitano district with its charming Western-style houses, and the Sannomiya Shopping District. Visitors can also enjoy delicious Kobe beef and soak in a hot spring at Arima Onsen.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Welcome to Kobe!

  • Check in at Arima Grand Hotel a cozy retreat with natural hot springs.
  • Take a stroll in Kitano-cho, Kobe's historic district, with quaint houses and cafes.
  • Try Kobe beef at Steak Aoyama, a restaurant in the trendy Sannomiya area.
  • Visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum to learn about the city's resilience.
  • Walk along the waterfront in Meriken Park, with views of Kobe Tower and the iconic red Port of Kobe.
Day 2

Enchanting Gardens and Coffee Shops

  • Take a train to Shin-Kobe Ropeway to go up to Nunobiki Herb Garden for panoramic views.
  • Stroll through the gardens filled with over 75,000 flowers and herbs.
  • Take a cable car down and stop by the coffee shops in Kitanozaka, one of Kobe's hip neighborhoods.
  • Try coffee and desserts at % Arabica or Art Caffé Circuito.
  • Visit the Ikuta Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan, for a serene break amid the hustle and bustle of the city.
Day 3

Art, Shopping and Nightlife

  • Start the day at the Kobe City Museum with its collection of art and artifacts.
  • Spend the afternoon shopping in the Motomachi area, known for its boutiques and designer stores.
  • Try local delicacies like Akashiyaki, a type of octopus dumpling, at T originale or Nishimura.
  • Head to Harborland for dinner and drinks with a view of Kobe's skyline.
  • Visit the Kobe Jazz Street, a live music festival held every October, or check out the clubs in Kobe's vibrant nightlife scene.
Day 4

Temples and Hot Springs

  • Take a train to Himeji, a small city known for its impressive castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Walk to Kokoen Garden, a stunning garden with nine different landscapes.
  • Stop by Shinnoji Temple and its iconic seven-story pagoda.
  • Return to Kobe for a relaxing evening at the Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts.
  • End the trip with a soak in a communal bath and a kaiseki meal, a traditional Japanese dinner featuring seasonal ingredients.

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

Romantic 5-Day Getaway: Kobe, Japan

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Experience the Best of Kobe in 5 Days

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Kobe in 3: A Romantic Guide

A romantic trip to Kobe, Japan promises a perfect blend of traditional and modern experiences. Indulge in exquisite Kobe beef, relax in hot springs, and take a stroll hand-in-hand through the vibrant Kobe Harborland. Don't forget to visit Mount Rokko for stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

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.