When people say the word Kobe, the first thing that may come to mind is Kobe beef, aka the best beef you will ever have. Kobe beef originated from the area around Kobe, and it is widely available across the city. Aside from eating Kobe beef, there are several other cool things to do during one day in Kobe.
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Table of Contents
History of Kobe
The natural geography and convenience to the port made Kobe an important economic center in its early years, especially during its Nara and Heian periods. During the Kamakura period, it became an important trading center with China. Both the Edo and Meiji years expanded its use.
Now, Kobe is the 7th largest city in Japan and is located on the main island of Honshu in the Hyōgo Prefecture. It has a population of about 1.5 million people.
Currency in Kobe
In Kobe, the Japanese Yen is used, and credit cards are widely accepted.
Language in Kobe
The primary language spoken in Kobe is Japanese. However, the Japanese are some of the friendliest people I have ever met and will try their best to communicate with you no matter what!
When to Spend One Day in Kobe
Fall and spring are typically the best times to visit Kobe as Japan can get very hot and humid during the summertime and cold in the wintertime.
How to Get to Kobe
Kobe is a very easy train ride from both Osaka and Kyoto and makes for the perfect day trip. You can opt to use the Shinkansen (the bullet train) or the metro. If you have a Japan rail pass, it will be very easy to catch the Shinkansen and spend one day in Kobe.
From Osaka, head to Osaka station and hop on the A Tokaido-Sanyo Line. Ride this for three stops to Sannomiya Station. You could also catch the Shinkansen from the Shin-Osaka Station. Ride it one stop to the Shin-Kobe Station.
From Kyoto, you will need to go to Kyoto Station and catch the Shinkansen. You will ride two stops to Shin-Kobe Station.
Transportation in Kobe
Upon arrival in Kobe, the majority of the sites you will see in one day in Kobe will be walkable from the train station. If you need to, the metro is very easy to use to get around as well.
Where to Stay in Kobe
Although I recommend spending one day in Kobe as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, there are quite a few hotels in the area. Two popular options include the Kobe Minato Onsen Hotel (has hot springs as part of the hotel) and the ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Kobe hotels here!
What to do During One Day in Kobe
Day 1
Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Cost: Free
Hours: 9:30am-4:30pm
Start your one day in Kobe with a visit to the Sake Brewery Museum. This museum goes over the history of sake and explains how it is made. The exhibits can be a little cheesy, but it was worth a stop. At the end, visitors may sample several different sakes.
Eat Kobe Beef
For lunch, during your one day in Kobe you have to eat Kobe Beef. You cannot come to Kobe without doing so. Looking back, I wish I had eaten it for both lunch and dinner.
We ate at Kobe Beef Takakura. This place was awesome because they cooked it up right in front of you and explained different ways to eat it! I liked it with Wasabi and salt. We also felt it was reasonably priced for Kobe Beef.
Address: 1-2-10 Nakayamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hygo
Note: It looks like this palace is currently closed. However, you can walk around the street near that address. There are a TON of restaurants and all of them will give you a great experience.
Nunobiki Falls
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
After lunch, check out Nunobiki Falls, a series of waterfalls near the Kobe train station. Visitors can hike from the Shin-Kobe Station or take the ropeway up. The top of the falls offers views of Kobe.
Kobe Port Tower
Cost: $5
Hours: *Closed for Renovation*
The Port Tower is the main tower of Kobe with an observation deck at the top. Built in 1963, it is known for signaling the port of Kobe. In total, it has 5 floors of viewing platforms and offers 360-degree views of the area.
The area surrounding the Port Tower is called Harborland and offers lots of shopping and dining opportunities. Also in the area is Meriken Park, which contains various museums and memorials. It is a nice spot to take a stroll when spending one day in Kobe.
Himeji Castle
Cost: $7
Hours: 9am-5pm
If you have the time, start this one day in Kobe with a visit to Himeji Castle. It is very easy to pair a trip here with time in Kobe as it is only a 40-minute Shinkansen ride between the two.
The Himeji Castle is one of the most pristine castles and dates back to 1333. It lies on a hilltop overlooking the area. You can easily spend several hours exploring the castle and its grounds.
Final Tips for One Day in Kobe
Spending one day in Kobe is a fun addition to a Japan itinerary. It is not as visited as some of the more popular cities, but it is worth the trip for an amazing meal. If you have time, make sure to head to Osaka to visit Universal Studios or head to Hiroshima and Miyajima.
