THE ULTIMATE KOBE TRAVEL GUIDE: WHAT TO DO, SEE, AND EAT
When most people hear "Kobe," they immediately think of the world-famous beef. And while the steak lives up to the hype, this vibrant Japanese port city has so much more to offer. From unique cubicle ramen dining and lush mountain herb gardens to incredible architecture and unexpected art collections, Kobe is a city full of wonderful surprises.
If you are planning a trip to the Kansai region, here is a complete guide on how to get there, where to stay, and what to do, see, and eat based on my recent visit!
🚄 How to Get There
Getting to Kobe is incredibly easy, especially if you are already exploring the Kansai area or coming down from Tokyo. I highly recommend using Omio to easily compare and book your train or bus tickets in advance. The Shinkansen (bullet train) will drop you at Shin-Kobe station, while local rapid trains from Osaka or Kyoto will take you right into the heart of the city at Sannomiya Station.
🛏️ Where to Stay: The Royal Park Canvas
I stayed at The Royal Park Canvas, and I cannot recommend it enough. It was surprisingly affordable, and the location was absolutely perfect for walking around and exploring the city's main sights. Plus, it puts you right next door to one of my favorite relaxing experiences of the trip (more on that below!).
🧖♀️ Relax and Unwind: Kobe Sauna & Spa
Right next to The Royal Park Canvas is the famous Kobe Sauna & Spa. If you are traveling with a partner, don't worry about the fact that it is gender-segregated! I went with my boyfriend, and it was perfectly fine—we just split up and headed to our respective gender-designated floors for a few hours of relaxation.
The Men's Experience: My boyfriend said the men's side is massive and truly amazing, featuring multiple saunas and traditional "Aufguss" (a ritual where a sauna master pours water on hot stones and waves the steam around with a towel)—but you get to experience it the Japanese way!
The Women's Experience: The women's side is a bit smaller, but still pretty great! You can also enjoy the sauna, the Aufguss rituals, and amazing full-body scrubbing treatments. It is the absolute best way to recharge after a long day of sightseeing.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Kobe: A Foodie’s Dream
Kobe’s food scene is incredibly diverse, offering everything from legendary local specialties to fantastic international cuisine.
Steakland Kobe-Kan
You can't go to Kobe without trying Kobe beef, and Steakland Kobe-Kan is the absolute perfect spot, especially for lunch. They offer a lunch set where you can choose your preferred beef quality. The best part? You get a private grill plate right in front of you with a dedicated chef who prepares your mouthwatering steak to perfection.
Ichiran Ramen
For a truly unique dining experience, you have to visit this famous ramen chain. You eat in your own private flavor-focus cubicle! When your food is ready, a small bamboo curtain opens in front of you—you never actually see the waiter's face. You will see them bow when they serve your food though. If you need anything, you communicate silently using small written cards. They even have a card you can pass to the staff to complain if your neighbor is eating too loudly :O!
Sushi Shimamoto
If you want to treat yourself to something a bit more special, book a lunch here. At around €100 per person for the lunch set, it is a splurge, but the quality and craftsmanship of the sushi make it an unforgettable culinary experience.
Organic Restaurant & Supermarket near Kitano-cho
While wandering near the historic Kitano-cho district, I stumbled upon a super delicious organic restaurant. They focus heavily on local products, and the flavors are incredibly fresh. The restaurant features a lovely outdoor terrace, and there is even a small organic supermarket attached where you can pick up some snacks or souvenirs. The name is Farmstand.
Nishimura’s Coffee
A Kobe institution! This is the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee and a slice of cake. It has a great, authentic vibe, and you’ll notice a lot of locals come here for brunch, too.
Malabar Kitchen
Craving something different? Malabar Kitchen serves the absolute best Indian food in the city. It is super authentic, and they do not skimp on the portions—you get a lot of delicious food!
🗺️ The Best Things to Do in Kobe
Once you are full of amazing food, it’s time to explore. Kobe perfectly balances nature, history, and modern design.
Explore the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (Tadao Ando)
Designed by the legendary architect Tadao Ando, this museum is a must-visit. They host amazingly well-curated temporary exhibitions—when I visited, there was a brilliant one focusing on post-war Japanese women artists. Be sure to check out the Tadao Ando retrospective gallery inside, which features awesome architectural "maquettes" (scale models) of his famous works.
Visit the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
This might sound niche, but it is exceptionally beautiful. The museum brilliantly showcases the importance of wood architecture in Japan and the jaw-dropping expertise and precision of Japanese craftsmen. It is a peaceful and highly educational stop.
The museum architecture alone is worth the visit:
Kobe carpentry museum
Ride the Ropeway to Nunobiki Herb Gardens
For a refreshing escape from the city streets, take the scenic cable car up the mountain to the Nunobiki Herb Gardens. You can explore the flower gardens and I even made my own pot-pourris with their own herbs. Pro-tip: Take the ropeway up and walk your way down. The walking trail down leads you right through the forest and past the stunning Nunobiki Waterfalls, which is considered the 3rd biggest holy waterfall in Japan!
Step Back in Time at Ikuta Shrine
Nestled right in the bustling center of the city, Ikuta Shrine is the oldest shrine in Kobe. It’s a beautiful, historic sanctuary that offers a quiet moment of reflection away from the neon lights and shopping streets.
Wander Through Kitano-cho (Ijinkan)
Kitano-cho is an old residential district famous for its Western-style mansions built by foreign merchants in the late 19th century.
The Moegi House: Be sure to visit this beautiful pale-green American-style house. It offers a super beautiful, sweeping view of the city below.
Unexpected Art: Another mansion (the Uroko House) holds a surprisingly robust art collection, including actual Rodin sculptures! It’s a random but incredibly nice surprise to find such high-caliber art stored in these historic homes.
Chill at Meriken Park
End your day by the waterfront at Meriken Park. Grab a drink at the iconic Starbucks located right in the park, sit back, and enjoy the views of the port and the Kobe Port Tower as the sun goes down.
I work at Omio. This article is based on my own trip and personal experience. Some Omio links in this post are tracked links, but I do not receive any personal commission if you use them.
