Kobe's Epic Family Adventure: Animals, Food, and City Views

Discover the vibrant charms of Kobe, Japan - the perfect family adventure awaits!

19 July 2023

A family-friendly trip to Kobe, Japan offers a delightful mix of cultural experiences and entertainment for all ages. Begin your adventure by strolling through the charming streets of Kitano, exploring the historic houses and visiting the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Enjoy a thrilling visit to the Kobe Animal Kingdom, where kids can interact with a variety of animals and watch entertaining animal shows. End the day with a scenic cable car ride up Mount Rokko to witness breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscapes.

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Day trip plan

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Day

Konichiwa, Kobe!

  • Start your day with a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom, where you can interact with adorable critters like sloths and capybaras. Prepare for maximum cuteness!
  • Savor a delicious lunch at Chinatown, where you can feast on mouthwatering dumplings, sizzling noodles, and tantalizing street food. Let your taste buds party!
  • Head to the Kobe Maritime Museum for a fascinating journey through Japan's nautical history. From ship models to simulators, it's a voyage of knowledge!
  • Take a leisurely stroll through Meriken Park, a waterfront oasis dotted with iconic Kobe landmarks like the giant red Kobe Port Tower. Picture-perfect memories await!
  • Up for a splurge? Treat yourself to a Kobe beef dinner at a traditional teppanyaki restaurant. Sizzle, sear, and savor the melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Epic beefy bliss!
  • End your day with a scenic ride on the Shin-Kobe Ropeway to the top of Mount Rokko. Enchanting night views of the city await, making for a magical farewell to Kobe. Sayonara, Kobe!

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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Kobe's Epic Family Adventure: Animals, Food, and City Views

A family-friendly trip to Kobe, Japan offers a delightful mix of cultural experiences and entertainment for all ages. Begin your adventure by strolling through the charming streets of Kitano, exploring the historic houses and visiting the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Enjoy a thrilling visit to the Kobe Animal Kingdom, where kids can interact with a variety of animals and watch entertaining animal shows. End the day with a scenic cable car ride up Mount Rokko to witness breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscapes.