Things to do in Kobe
Kobe Travel Guide
Kobe has a sparse yet beautiful skyline – it overlooks Osaka Bay with Mount Rokko as a backdrop. Among high-rise buildings and neon lights, you’ll find bits of the city’s past in Shinto shrines like Ikuta, which is one of the oldest in Japan.
Go up Mount Rokko for panoramic lookouts or find hidden treasures like a tranquil onsen (hot spring) behind it. Explore sights and flavours in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s colourful Chinatown, visit sake breweries, or pop into the City Museum for exquisite Nanban art.
Best things to do in Kobe
Featured stories & fun stuff11 Best Things to Do in Kobe
Read itKobe's main attractions are an integral part of the city's landscape and history, with museums celebrating its past bumping up against high-tech, sleek showcases for fashion and art. In 1868, Kobe was one of the first ports in Japan to open up to international trade and soon after the city was welcoming settlers from Europe, America, China and elsewhere, who created a collection of homes and shops in small foreign enclaves within the city that still stand to this day. Also a centre for sake production, many of Kobe's centuries-old rice wine making facilities are proud to welcome visitors for a taste and a tour.
Much of Kobe life centres around its port, located close to the vibrant downtown area and lined with numerous parks and recreational facilities. Kobe is also home to some astonishing achievements in infrastructure development including the world's longest suspension bridge and large man-made islands.
What are the best things to do in Kobe?