Things to do in Kobe

Welcome to Kobe

Most people only know about Kobe thanks to the famous beef, but this city of 1.5 million people is one of the most beautiful and most international in Japan. The fifth largest city in Japan is home to an estimated 44,000 foreigners from more than 120 different countries, and with a position sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, it’s incredibly beautiful.

In 1995, Kobe was devastated by an earthquake that leveled entire blocks and took the lives of more than 6,000 people. Today, it’s hard to imagine you’re even in the same city. It’s a compact city that’s easily navigable on foot, and while you won’t find as many big ticket attractions as in Tokyo or Kyoto, you will find a very livable city with one of Japan’s best food scenes and a thriving nightlife.

At the end of the day, most people still come here for the beef, and for good reason. The city is filled with local and international steakhouses, all grilling up the tender, fat-marbled beef, though it comes at a steep price. If you want to sample Kobe beef while in Kobe, but your Japanese skills aren’t great, your best bet is to head to one of the major hotels where nearly all the restaurants will have English menus.

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Top 8 attractions in Kobe

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Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

Occupying two floors of a former sake brewery, the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum introduces visitors to the history and process of sake brewing. Life-sized figures recreate scenes from the traditional brewing process, and brochures are available in English to help non-Japanese speakers get their bearings.

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Meriken Park

Situated on the Kobe waterfront on a swathe of reclaimed land, Meriken Park is notable for its numerous art installations and memorializing those who lost their lives in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. It's home to the Kobe Port Museum and the Kobe Maritime Museum, both noteworthy examples of contemporary architecture.

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Kobe Port Tower

Kobe Port Tower—nicknamed “Steel Tower Beauty—is a crimson tower built in an hourglass shape resembling a Japanese hand drum, called a tsuzumi. Situated in the Central District, the tower rises 354 feet (108 meters) above the city, and is known as the symbol of Kobe. Visitors come here for the panoramic sightseeing decks and rotating bar.

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Kobe Animal Kingdom

Located on Port Island, Kobe Animal Kingdom offers up-close encounters with numerous varieties of animals and birds who roam the park freely. Visitors of all ages, including young children, will delight in seeing creatures from all around the world in recreations of their natural habitats.

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Kobe Maritime Museum

Kobe is an important port city, and the Kobe Maritime Museum records and celebrates its history. The latticed steel architecture of the museum was designed to invoke the impression of sailing ships. It’s a modern museum with plenty of interactive exhibits, model ships to explore, and information in Japanese and English.

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Kobe Harborland

Spread along Kobe’s sparkling waterfront, Kobe Harborland encompasses shopping, dining, entertainment, and more. The bustling, attraction-packed area is one of the Japanese city’s most-popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.

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UCC Coffee Museum

Most visitors to Japan have likely tried some coffee from the Ueshima Coffee Company (UCC), renowned for having introduced the world’s first canned coffee. At the UCC Coffee Museum, you can immerse yourself in coffee culture, learn about how coffee is made, and experience it with all five senses.

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Maiko Marine Promenade

Situated in Maiko Park, on the mainland side of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the Maiko Marine Promenade allows you to get a closer view of one of the world’s longest suspension bridges. Head to the observation lounge for great views of the bridge and the Akashi Straight below.

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