Kobe: Sear-iously More Than Just Beef! (11 Attractions, 9 F&Bs, 1 Bonus Spot!)

Welcome to Kobe, a city that's often overshadowed by the more well-known travel hotspots of Kyoto and Osaka. But trust us, this charming harbour city, nestled between mountains and the sea, is just as worthy of your attention. Kobe's main gateway, Sannomiya Station, is conveniently situated at the city's heart, making it a breeze to branch out and explore. A short trip can take you to the historic district of Kitano, the buzzing streets of Motomachi, or the picturesque waterfront of Meriken Park. Navigating around Kobe is easy with Kobe Sightseeing Buses - City Loop and Port Loop (official website included below). These buses stop at all the major sightseeing attractions in the city. There are also 1-Day and 2-Day passes available for purchase, which comes with unlimited rides. They also offer discounts at some of Kobe's most popular tourist attractions. Alternatively, you could explore the city easily on foot. While Kobe boasts distinct beauty throughout the year, autumn steals the show with its comfortable temperatures and stunning fall foliage. But no matter when you visit, we're certain you'll fall for Kobe's unique allure, just as we did!

This is our go-to hotel every time we visit Kobe. With its charming British theme, it fits right into the historical vibe along Tor Road. It's reasonably priced and offers great value for money, especially when you consider the size of the rooms compared to most hotels in Japan. Not to mention, it's ideally situated near most of Kobe's popular attractions, food spots (including our favourite steakhouse Aoyama right across the street!) and the train station, making visits to the harbour area a breeze! Reasons why we love booking.com in Japan: 1) Competitive prices, especially when you book early. 2) The free cancellation offers flexibility in case of last-minute itinerary changes. 3) The in-built chat feature enables direct contact with hotels, allowing us to check if they offer a luggage forwarding service easily. When you book via 'Check Prices' or 'Check Prices & Availability', we receive a small kickback at no extra cost to you. This support helps us create more valuable guides for you. Thank you so much ❤️

Considering that each guest room has a balcony with panoramic views of the harbour, it's nuts that room rates can be as affordable as $120 per night. Definitely check the rates and keep an eye out for such deals!

Hands down, this is the BEST Kobe beef experience we've had - and we've had it multiple times. When we say 'BEST', we're talking top-notch A5 cuts at the best bang for your buck! Chef Shuhei is at the top of his game, whipping up a memorable feast right before your eyes, Teppanyaki style. And all this comes with a big dose of classic Japanese 'omotenashi' hospitality, thanks to Chef Shuhei's family, who help run the show. It feels just like being welcomed into a friend's home! Amongst insiders, his steakhouse is really popular so do make your reservations a few months in advance if possible on Steak Aoyama's Facebook page (link included)

The most affordable Kobe beef you will ever savour in your life. Highly popular amongst locals. Ideally, it's best to go early and queue at least an hour before opening time. Otherwise, expect to wait for hours as it's a one-man show. Each bowl served is made to measure and there are only 9 seats per sitting. Menu Pricing (as of July 2023) ¥1,980 - Regular bowl (generous portion by most standards) ¥2,200 - Large bowl ¥110 - Raw or hot spring egg on the side ¥550 - Beer

A patisserie legend born and baked right here in Kobe. If you're a fruit tart fanatic like us, you're going to adore this place. Expect to find not just fresh fruits, but seriously generous helpings of them. The tarts on display? They're so good-looking you'll wish you could sink your teeth into every single one. They serve tea too, which makes it a perfect chill-out spot after some serious sightseeing.

Heard of Aomori, Japan's apple capital, but can't make it there this trip? No worries, 'A la Ringo' has got your apple cravings sorted. These guys are all about celebrating the natural sweetness of apples in their baked goodies, and they only use the cream of the crop - handpicked Aomori apples. Their apple pies and gelato are certainly worth a try!

More than your average Starbucks, this one is tucked inside an 'Ijinkan' - that's an old foreigner's house from back when Kobe was just opening up to the world. It doesn't feel like a store, but someone's home from the 19th century with a lounge, a dining room and a guest room. It's a pretty cool spot to snap some photos and maybe grab some Kobe Starbucks merch.

Our favourite Kobe coffee spot in terms of quality and ambience. Nishimura coffee started in 1948 and is actually the first establishment to serve black coffee, cappuccino and coffee jelly in Japan. They've stuck to their roots, still brewing with Kobe's mineral-rich Nada ward water. This particular shop opened in 1974, and was a members-only spot till '95. So you can imagine the kind of sophisticated charm this coffee shop boasts. That said, it's a friendly joint where you can enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.

Owner Bunn's love for coffee isn't just deep - it's global. Before setting up shop in Kobe, he journeyed to over 10 countries, getting the lowdown on the coffee craft from local experts and mastering the art of roasting. He's a bit on the shy side, but spark up a conversation and you'll find he's a friendly guy. But really, he doesn't need to say much - he lets his top-notch speciality coffee do all the talking!

Khye was never an espresso kind of guy but this place changed his mind! Tucked away on the 2nd floor and a stone's throw away from Kobe Chinatown, this spot has a range of other espresso-based drinks, coffee cocktails and desserts. Cozy and hipster atmosphere!

This isn't exclusive to Kobe, but it's one of our favourite Japanese snack stops that you just can't miss. Taiyaki is this traditional pastry filled with azuki bean paste. At Naruto, they bake 'em fresh on charcoal, so you get a super crispy crust while the inside is fluffy with a generous amount of azuki bean paste. It's sweet but not overwhelming, perfect for a snack! They roll out all sorts of seasonal flavours too. So, definitely swing by and give Naruto Taiyaki a go!

This place is perfect for plant enthusiasts or if you just want to unwind a bit. Nestled on the side of a mountain, Nunobiki Herb Gardens has 12 extensive garden areas with a vast array of aromatic herbs and vivid flowers blooming throughout the year. The journey up the ropeway, panoramic views of Kobe city at the top, and western style architecture combined offer a charming unique atmosphere that's different from other cities in Japan. To get to the Herb Garden, you can take the ropeway. There are 3 ropeway stations - bottom, middle, and top. You can hike up the Herb Garden (takes an hour) but we highly recommend taking a return trip on the ropeway as you can expect to be doing quite a lot of walking around the garden slopes. It takes about 10 minutes from the bottom to the top station. From the top station, you can take a nice stroll to the middle station, and enjoy the flowers and herbs along the way. Do check the official website linked below for the latest ticket fares.

The Veranda is located at Nunobiki Gardens. Soak in the panoramic views while chilling over some desserts and tea. 💯 Vibes. Alternatively, you could also unwind at the open recreation area and hammocks which could be used for free.

The observatory's design has an exterior frame made from Hinoki cypress. The inspiration comes from 'Komorebi', a beautiful Japanese term for sunlight filtered through trees. The design cleverly minimises the heat from the summer sun and keeps out the rain. Whether it's day or night, you're treated to stunning panoramic vistas of Kobe and beyond. Light-ups at night are also magical, so definitely come here and grab some shots!

Stepping into this district feels a bit like you've travelled back in time. Here is home to a collection of 'Ijinkan', or foreign residences, left over from when the city first opened to the world. These well-preserved, Western-influenced houses offer a unique look into the past. More than a dozens of them are now museums accessible to the public, usually at a small charge of about ¥500. Others transformed into quirky cafes and boutiques. We highly recommend that you allow yourself to just wander and see what you might find

Ikuta Jinja is one of those hidden gems in Kobe that you can't miss. This Shinto shrine has a deep history (it's about 1800 years old!), making it one of the oldest in Japan. It's dedicated to Wakahirume-no-Mikoto, the goddess of fabric, but it's worshipped for something quite special - bringing people together, just like entwined threads. It is a power spot for love and relationships.

Kobe Luminarie takes over the city from early to mid-December, drawing in crowds from all over. The sparkling trail begins at Motomachi Station, winds through the historic Former Foreign Settlement, and doesn't stop until it reaches Higashi Yuenchi Park. It serves as a tribute - an ongoing memorial to the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. It was really a memorable spectacle for us, definitely don't miss this if you're visiting Kobe in December!

This is a very popular shopping and dining district. The vibrant streets are packed with shops, eateries, and food stands offering a variety of treats. You can find everything from steamed buns (manju), to tapioca drinks and an array of Chinese dishes, each carrying a subtle yet distinct Japanese twist.

Great spot in Kobe for a chill afternoon! It's a waterfront park, so you get to see some cool views of the city skyline and the ocean. Plus, there are some iconic landmarks around, like the Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum. There's also a memorial for the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.

The Earthquake Memorial Museum in Kobe remembers the tragic Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, which claimed over 5000 lives and destroyed many homes. Inside, visitors can experience a large screen theatre showing the impact of the earthquake, a documentary about Kobe's recovery, and interactive exhibits on disaster prevention. It's a place for both reflection and learning.

Kobe Harborland is an entertainment hub that's hard to miss, thanks to the towering Ferris wheel at Mosaic Mall. Here, you'll find ample dining and shopping options, creating a lively atmosphere whether you're taking a spin on the Ferris wheel or not. The night view of the harbour is also perfect for taking a leisurely stroll around the area.

An absolute treat for the young ones, especially if they're fans of Anpanman. There are interactive exhibits, play areas, and a ton of photo ops with your favourite characters. Plus, the mall section has themed stores selling exclusive Anpanman merchandise and cute snacks.

International visitors often overlook this spot! The Kobe Port area is known for its night views. A great and absolutely free way to see this is to head up to the 24th floor of the Kobe City Hall 🤩 Opening Hours Monday - Friday: 8:15am - 10:00pm Weekends and Holidays: 10:00am - 10:00pm Closed New Year's holiday period: 1 day for equipment inspection