Kobe

Chinatown

南京町, nankinmachi

The original settlement of Chinese merchants. Today, it is rather touristy though it offers some "Japanized" versions of Chinese food such as pork buns (豚饅頭 buta-manjū, more often buta-man). Its architecture is still rather pleasant though.

Fruit Flower Park

フルーツ・フラワーパーク

Surrounded by a lot of flowers and greenery. Many people hold their wedding ceremonies here every year. In spring, the park becomes even more beautiful as about 10,000 tulips bloom.

10:00-18:00 (except on holidays)

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

白鶴酒造資料館, hakutsuru shuzōshiryōkan

This museum is inside a former brewery, and features traditional tools, dioramas and English-language videos to explain the sake-making processes. At the end, you can sample some sake, which is non-pasteurized, presumably because it doesn't have to travel far from the factory. Write your name on a piece of paper provided by the guard and return that at the end.

09:30-16:30, closed Mon·Free entry, free sake

Hamafukutsuru-Ginjo Brewery and Shop

浜福鶴吟醸工房

Offers factory tours, rather than just a museum. Can watch actual processes from behind glass walls.

Tue–Sun 10:00-17:00 (closed Mon)

Harbor Land

This is a modern shopping and dining area, developed on the edge of the Kobe Bay.

Hub

ハブ

A basement location of the British pub chain. Happy hour discount cocktails 17:00-19:00.

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum

菊正宗酒造記念館, "Kiku-Masamune Shuzo Kinenkan"

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum is the only facility that exhibits "Sake brewing utensils of Nada" which are Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. It is a museum of Sake that tells you the secret of traditional sake brewing techniques of the Tanba region. You can also try tasting different kinds of sake here for free. There will be a guide to take you though the museum and present the history of a prestigious "Sake of Nada" brewer.

09:30-16:30 (Entry until 16:00)·Free

Kitano Ijinkan

異人館

Kōbe's main attractions are the Ijinkan (foreign houses). These are 19th-century residences of Kobe's foreign traders, clustered in the Kitano area.

Kobe Overseas Chinese History Museum

神戸華僑歴史博物館

A museum about the many Chinese merchants and tradespeople who settled in Kobe following the opening of the Port of Kobe to foreigners in 1868.

Wed-Sat 10:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30·Adults ¥300, seniors ¥200

Kobe Port Tower

Built in 1962, it is the world's first sightseeing tower with a pipe structure. The unofficial symbol of the city. 108 m tall. 5 levels of observatories.

Closed · opens 9 am·¥700

Kobe Portopia Hotel Restaurants

There are several restaurants in the Kobe Portopia Hotel, some with high floor views.

Kyu-kyoryuchi

旧居留地

This is where foreign consulates and trading companies built their offices. Several 19th-century buildings have been converted into restaurants and shops. Notable buildings include Chartered Square, once the Chartered Bank branch and the 15th Building (十五番館), once the American consulate. The area is also packed full of high-fashion boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi.

MOSAIC

Kobe’s playground. There are restaurants, bars, a movie theatre, a shopping market, an amusement arcade and a little amusement park. Harbour cruises are offered, some of which go as far as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

Medium Rare Steakhouse @ Oriental Hotel

Great Kobe Beef, Hida Beef, Hamburg Steak, Abalone, and Fresh Japanese Tiger Prawns. All perfectly cooked right in front of you on Teppan grills to your liking.

Lunch 11:30-14:30; dinner 17:30-22:00·Lunch courses starting from ¥2,500

Meriken Park

メリケンパーク

Located on the harborfront has a poignant memorial to the devastating Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, which killed 6,433 people.

Modern Ark Pharm Cafe

A vegetarian organic cafe that also serves alcohol and desserts.

Closed · opens 11:30 am

Mouriya

One of the most famous houses serving Kobe beef. The slightly reduced lunch specials are worth checking out. Must make reservations.

¥9,000-20,000

Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Hankyu Sannomiya-ekimae

A cramped and popular taiyaki shop. Serves 2 varieties of taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake: sweet potato and red bean paste.

¥160-180

New Muenchen Kobe Taishikan

Serves seasonal brews and dishes as well as the timeless favorites of German and Japanese beer halls. Bar service on ground floor, table service on higher floors. Capacity 540.

Closed · opens 11 am·Beer ¥550-950; food ¥750-1,500

Nunobiki Falls

布引の滝, Nunobiki no taki

Four waterfalls that empty into the Ikuta River. The largest is 43m high.

Nunobiki Herb Garden

布引ハーブ園

garden on Mount Rokko. It is accessible by the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, near Shin-Kobe station. It features over 200 varieties of herbs, as well as greenhouses, exhibitions, and a restaurant.

10:00-17:00, or 20:30 in summer·Adults, including the round-trip ride on the Ropeway: ¥1,400, one-way ropeway: ¥900

Oji Zoo

王子動物園

Besides animals, there is a mini amusement park with rides for young children

09:00-16:30 from March to October and 09:00-16:00 November–February·Adults: ¥600; Children: ¥200

Sawa-no-Tsuru Museum

沢の鶴資料館

This museum is probably the best of the bunch, with an informative multi-level exhibit partly labelled in English, and a well-stocked gift shop

10:00-16:00, closed Wed·Free entry and free sake

Sone

An excellent place to relax with a drink, Sone also happens to be one of the best jazz clubs in Kansai. You will have to pay a cover charge on a night with big names performing.

Sōraku-en Garden

相楽園

A nice Japanese-style garden in the middle of the city. Very good value and a great attraction to see after going through the Ijinkan area.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·¥300; ¥260 with discount coupon available from tourist information booths

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

竹中大工道具館

A very nice exploration of hand carpentry tools, from the stone axes of Jomon age to the Western influenced tools of yesterday. Hands-on exhibits and English language descriptions make this a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.

Closed · opens 9:30 am·¥300

Tetsujin 28 statue

Kobe project

A 18-m-tall statue of a manga robot that was built to help rebuild the Nagata ward of Kobe both financially and morally after the great earthquake. The Nagata ward was one of the worst-hit areas and the character of the statue has a long history to Japan as a whole and specifically this area.

The Rock

An Aussie Bar and Grill popular with expats and locals alike. Shisha can also be provided.

Mon-Thu 17:00-01:00; Fri Sat 17:00-03:00·Drinks ¥500-800; food ¥600-1500

Grill Ippei

グリル一平

Specializes in yōshoku, or Japanized Western dishes. Specialities include Ebi furai (breaded shrimp), kaki furai (breaded oyster), hamburger steaks and tonkatsu (pork cutlets).

Junkudo

Huge bookstore with big selection of English books and magazines.