I highly recommend Kobe as a day trip from either Osaka or Kyoto during your visit to Japan. It’s a simple and convenient day trip, as it’s under one hour on the train from Osaka, or a little over an hour on the train from Kyoto. If you’re planning to stay a night or two in Kobe I recommend staying in the Sannomiya area, which is the most convenient location for shopping, eating and sightseeing in Kobe.
Let’s take a look at my most recent day trip to Kobe, which will hopefully give you some ideas about possible things to do in Kobe when visiting. I live in Osaka, so I took the Hankyu train from Umeda to Kobe-Sannomiya station. During my day in Kobe I didn’t use public transport or taxis at all. You’ll find Kobe city isn’t very big, so I believe most people should be fine to walk the route as described – just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. If you get tired just pop into a cafe or take a rest at a nearby park.
I’ve mentioned Kobe Chinatown previously on my blog, so I won’t talk too much about it today. Basically, Kobe Chinatown (also called Nankinmachi) is a good place to try Chinese street food in Kobe. It’s popular with locals and also international visitors. Some people stop by for a snack, while others eat lunch or dinner here. Either way, the Chinatown in Kobe is worth a wander through whether you plan to grab something to eat or not. It’s centrally located, so you won’t have to go out of your way to visit.
Kobe is a port town, so it’s about time we visited the ocean. Walk down the hill to Meriken Park where you can find some of Kobe’s most famous sights. Lots of people like to hang out in Meriken Park, with a drink or a snack, and admire the view of the water. It’s a great place to take a rest after exploring Kobe on foot.
Construction of the Kobe Port Tower was completed in 1963. The tower stands at a height of 108 metres (around 354 feet), and is easily recognisable due to it’s interesting structure and bright red color. Unfortunately the tower was undergoing renovations during the last couple of times I visited.
The Kobe Port Tower has several observation decks that can be enjoyed during day or night. Lower floors include souvenir shops, places to eat, and a ticket booth for the observation deck.
The Kobe Maritime Museum (visible in the photos above) focuses on the history of the port of Kobe. The Museum opened in 1987, as a way of commemorating Kobe opening up to foreign trade some 120 years earlier.
Expect to see information about the history of the port of Kobe, information about Kobe’s sister cities, plus information on ship construction. The museum is easily recognisable from a distance due to it’s white color and modern sail-like structure.
Taking a look at the past at the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park. Meriken Park is home to a preserved section of the wharf that stood in Kobe until the time of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. Here you can observe the damage caused by the earthquake for yourself. It serves as a reminder of the power of nature.
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[Music]