Top 15 Must-Experience Activities in Kobe, Japan

The city of Kobe, located on the island of Honshu, is recognized for its dynamic atmosphere and scenic harbor. Additionally, the city features a mountain that provides expansive views of the surrounding region.

Kobe is also noted for the catastrophic earthquake of 1995, which severely impacted parts of the city. Today, visitors can explore various memorials that honor those who lost their lives during this challenging chapter in Kobe’s history.

In addition to monuments and memorials, visitors can explore serene gardens, remarkable waterfalls, and, of course, sample the city’s renowned delicacy – delectable Kobe beef.

Here are the 15 best attractions in Kobe:

1. Visit the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum

The Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum offers a fascinating insight into ancient tools that were utilized in Japan’s history.

Visitors can view a variety of artifacts, including stone axes originating from the Jomon Period.

Moreover, the museum features more contemporary items along with interactive exhibits that transport you back in time.

2. Walk across Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, located to the west of Kobe, stands as Japan’s tallest bridge of its kind.

With a height of approximately 283 meters, it spans the Akashi Strait.

To appreciate this architectural marvel, visitors should head to Maiko Marine Promenade, where a walkway 47 meters above ground provides a 320-meter crossing.

However, it is worth mentioning that the walkway features glass flooring, offering panoramic views of the strait, so those sensitive to heights should take caution.

3. Try the local food

Kobe is particularly famous for one culinary delight: the prestigious Kobe beef.

This beef is renowned for its extraordinary flavor and tenderness, attributed to its marbled fat content. However, it is essential to note that dining on Kobe beef in restaurants can be quite expensive.

Additional local dishes worth trying include sobameshi, a unique fusion of fried rice and noodles, providing a more affordable dining option in Kobe.

4. Explore Oji Zoo

For families traveling with young children, Oji Zoo is a prominent attraction in Kobe.

The zoo boasts a diverse range of animals, complemented by an amusement park, making it an ideal destination for family outings.

However, it is important to note that some animal enclosures may appear smaller than Western standards. Visitors may choose to bypass the zoo and focus solely on the amusement park amenities.

5. Climb Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko, also referred to as Rokko-san, represents one of Kobe’s key attractions. Visitors have the option to ascend the mountain by foot or take a cable car to reach the summit.

While some may opt for a hiking excursion as part of their adventure, the nighttime vistas from the top are particularly renowned, recognized among Japan’s Three Great Night Views.

Upon reaching the summit, guests can take in panoramic views of Osaka Bay and visit the charming Rock Garden located on-site.

6. Tour a sake brewery

Kobe is renowned for its sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine crafted from water sourced from the surrounding mountains.

Numerous sake breweries are scattered throughout the city, with informative maps available at the main tourist information office to guide visitors to these locations.

Prominent breweries include Sawa-no-Tsuru Museum, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, and Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Company.

Many of these establishments offer guided tours that delve into the history of sake, along with opportunities to sample a variety of blends.

7. Explore the Fruit Flower Park

The Fruit Flower Park offers a delightful escape from the busy atmosphere of Kobe’s city center.

The park features a wide variety of flowers and serves as a popular site for traditional Japanese weddings; thus, visitors may witness couples dressed in elegant wedding attire taking photographs.

If possible, consider visiting in spring when approximately 10,000 tulips bloom alongside breathtaking cherry blossoms.

8. Attend Kobe Luminarie

Kobe Luminarie is a prominent festival that occurs annually in early December.

The festival showcases an enchanting display of colorful lights, creating a captivating visual experience with a deeper, poignant significance.

The lights symbolize the lives lost during the Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, serving as a tribute to this somber period in the city’s history.

For those in Kobe at that time, it is an event that should not be missed.

9. Visit Nunobiki Herb Garden

Nunobiki Herb Garden encompasses an extensive 40 acres and is situated at the picturesque Mount Rokko.

Accessing the garden requires a cable car ride, after which visitors can wander through this unique and engaging site.

The garden features approximately 200 different herb varieties, alongside greenhouses and exhibits detailing the various herbs utilized in Japanese cuisine.

10. Check out the Tetsujin 28 Statue

The Tetsujin 28 Statue represents a significant robot that was instrumental in rebuilding Kobe following the devastating earthquake in the 1990s.

After the robot played a vital role in the reconstruction of the Nagata ward, it became an exhibit symbolizing the recovery of Kobe from this dark period in its history.

For those with an interest in robotics, it is certainly worth a visit.

11. Explore Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World

The Kobe Maritime Museum and Kawasaki Good Times World are two distinct attractions located within the same building.

The Kobe Maritime Museum features an array of model ships and provides insights into the maritime industry’s history in this region of Japan.

Those with a penchant for motorcycles will find Kawasaki Good Times World particularly interesting, as it chronicles the beginnings of the Kawasaki industry and offers a tour of a Shinkansen high-speed train along with aircraft models.

12. Visit the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park

In January 1995, Kobe experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes in Japan’s history, resulting in 6,000 fatalities and the destruction of approximately 300,000 buildings.

To gain a deeper understanding of the earthquake’s impact, visitors can explore the Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park, which features videos documenting the devastation and galleries displaying artifacts recovered from the debris.

Certain sections of the docks have been maintained to resemble their post-earthquake state, providing a stark visual representation of the destruction Kobe faced.

13. Admire the Nunobiki Falls

Kobe is often viewed as a vibrant urban center, yet it also hosts numerous stunning natural attractions conveniently accessible for day trips.

The Nunobiki Falls consist of a series of cascades descending the mountainside in four distinct sections.

This picturesque site has inspired Japanese artists throughout the centuries, and visitors can find stone tablets paying homage to the falls.

It is important to note that reaching the falls requires traversing a steep 400-meter path.

14. Visit Ikuta Shrine

Ikuta Shrine, believed to date back to 201 AD, is constructed from wood and has significant ties to the sake production industry in Kobe.

This shrine offers visitors a glimpse into the past, allowing them to feel as though they have traveled back in time.

Surrounded by an enchanting forest of camphor trees, it serves as a tranquil retreat after a day of exploration.

15. Scale Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower is an iconic landmark, regarded by many locals as a national symbol of the city.

Constructed in 1962, it was the first of its kind in Japan, comprising a complex arrangement of pipes.

Standing at 108 meters tall, the tower features several observation decks offering expansive views of the Port of Kobe.