Kobe itineraries

Hill to Harbour in a Day

Kobe is 30 minutes by train from Osaka, and this is the order that fits it into one day: Western mansions on the Kitano hill, Chinatown for lunch, the harbour at sunset and Kobe beef for dinner.

Night Views and Onsen

Day one climbs the mountain for the herb gardens and the Rokko night view; day two soaks in Arima Onsen on the far side and ends with sake in Nada. Two days on Kobe's mountain side.

Harbour and Himeji, 3 Days

Unpack at a waterfront hotel in Meriken Park, start with the harbour, spend day two at the white castle of Himeji and the Akashi bridge, and finish slowly with the earthquake museum and a garden. Kobe stretched all the way west.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — Kobe Luminarie
• 2 — Winter low season
• 4 — Cherry blossom
• 4 — Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks
• 5 — Kobe Matsuri
• 6 — Rainy season
• 8 — Midsummer heat and the beaches
• 9 — Nankinmachi Mid-Autumn Festival
• 10 — MINATO HANABI autumn fireworks
• 11 — Autumn leaves on Rokko and in Arima
• 11 — Kobe Marathon
• 11 — Kobe Christmas Market at the Herb Gardens

Souvenirs

• Fugetsudo gaufres
• Kobe pudding
• Arima tansan senbei
• Brewery-only Nada sake
• Freundlieb rusks and bread
• Nankinmachi pork buns
• Kobe beef steak sauce and curry