24 Hours in Kobe: The Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

The Kansai region has many incredible places to visit, including Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. But one city that's at times overlooked but well worth visiting is Kobe, Japan's third biggest port city and capital of Hyogo prefecture. Located in Osaka Bay, Kobe is known for its namesake marbled beef as well as one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan: the historical Arima Onsen.

From Osaka, it's only 12 minutes away by Shinkansen or 35 minutes by local train, making it a perfect spot for travelers looking for a one-day and one-night excursion outside of the usual hotspots of Osaka and Kyoto. We've created a specially curated itinerary for the ultimate Kobe experience – enjoy your trip!

10:00 a.m. – Breakfast

To get the day going, let’s indulge in a little breakfast to fuel the day’s adventure. Nishimura Coffee was one of the first coffee shops to open post-war and started with only three tables in 1948. Nishimura Kobe was a pioneer of coffee in Japan, as it was the first place to offer straight black coffee on its menu. The kissaten (a Western-inspired Japanese coffeehouse) was also the first to offer cappuccino, coffee jelly, and other coffee-related items to Japan. Nishimura Coffee is an iconic spot to visit for your coffee needs and a light bite to get your day started.

Want something similar but for takeaway? Blue Bottle Coffee is another fantastic contender for sating your coffee cravings. As part of a global chain, Blue Bottle Coffee is not native to Kobe but is well regarded for its high quality, single-origin beans, and straightforward approach to coffee. Located near Motomachi station, Blue Bottle is a great spot for those who are waking up a little later as it’s easy to pick up coffee and some pastries and get started on their Kobe journey.

11:00 a.m. – Iconic Spots

First on the Kobe tour is Sannomiya Center Street. This is the city’s most prominent area for shopping, and tens of thousands of tourists visit the street during peak holiday seasons. The street is a covered, arcade-style street, so come rain or shine, the street stays open. It’s easily accessible from Sannomiya station, so follow the signage if you arrive from the station.

For those needing some quiet after the hustle and bustle of the arcade street, close by lies Ikuta Jinja – one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. You can walk to the shrine from either the cafes or the shopping street, which is only five to ten minutes away on foot. Ikuta Jinja was founded in the early 3rd century by Empress Jingū to enshrine the kami (a Shinto deity) Wakahirume. Nowadays, it’s the stage for two Noh plays (classic Japanese dance dramas) that retell stories of the Genpei War. These are usually performed during the shrine’s Autumn Festival.

Continuing on the theme of tranquility comes our next spot: Sorakuen Garden. The garden is only a ten-minute walk from Ikuta Jinja or a two-minute walk from the Kencho-Mae Subway Station. It’s a peaceful Japanese garden that has a walking path amid various blooms, ponds, and waterfalls. The garden team often grows seasonal flowers and posts updates and behind-the-scenes photos on their newly launched Instagram account.

1:00 p.m. – Lunch

After lots of walking around and taking in the sights and smells of Kobe, we’re sure that some travelers will be looking forward to a hearty lunch. Our recommendation is simple: go to Kobe’s Chinatown – Nankin-machi. From Sorakuen Garden, it’s a ten-minute walk to one of Japan’s three biggest Chinatowns.

The Chinatown was established in 1868, and its streets are lined with over 100 businesses, many offering souvenirs and produce but, more importantly, food. There are three ways to go about eating at Nankin-machi, and option one is to buy street food and walk around the district while you fill up.

The second option is to just go into a restaurant and order your food as usual. The final option is to do both: sample some snacks and then sit down for a full meal. If you want more context or information about Nankin-machi, feel free to walk around and use their handy guide map to spot some of the iconic features of the area.

2:30 p.m. – Museums

After lunch, you’ve got the choice of three museums. For those interested in learning about sake (an alcoholic drink made from fermented rice) culture, the HAKUTSURU Sake Brewery Museum is found on the city's eastern side.

If you’re on a family trip, you can go to Kobe’s Anpan Children’s Museum, which is near JR Kobe station. The children’s museum is an interactive attraction featuring the popular Anpanman franchise.

More educationally inclined? Kobe has a natural history museum dedicated to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. The Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution is a memorial and museum and a living and thriving research center. You can reach the memorial museum by Kasuganomichi Station on the Hanshin line or by a local bus.

4:00 p.m. – The Herb Garden

After touring the city, we felt it was best to say goodbye to the sun with a stunning view of the city. Our final spot for the afternoon is the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. Access to the gardens is via a gondola ride which starts near Shin-Kobe station – giving you a 360 degree look at the city, the mountain, and the distant cities of Osaka and Kyoto.

With 12 expansive gardens, an aromatic gift shop, and a free herbal foot bath, there are lots to do. The gardens grow flowers all year round, and you can find out which varieties they’re currently growing on their website. There are various shops, cafes, and restaurants – including a rest spot called View Plaza, which transforms into the Forest of Illuminations during evening operating hours, making it a magical spot for photos and panoramic access to the nightscape of Kobe.

Just make sure you check the times for the gondola as the final descending times change depending on when you visit.

7:00 pm – Dinner

To close the busy day, there’s nothing better than a meal that many travelers travel to Kobe for – their beef. To help you find the perfect restaurant for you, we’ve narrowed down the choices to three spots.

First on the list is Kobe Beef Steak Sakura, located near Ikuta Jinja. It is one of the most famous teppanyaki restaurants in Kobe and is known for its excellent beef steaks and engaging teppanyaki performances.

Some of the staff speak English, so don’t be afraid of interacting with the chefs while they prepare your meal. As a bonus, the restaurant also has a halal menu, and its beef is halal-certified.

Next is Setsugetsuka, another teppanyaki steak house that was awarded a Michelin 1 star in 2016. Reviewers rave about the beef and the service, and its higher price warrants such an experience. You can get to Setsugetsuka’s main store from Sannomiya station. Reservation is recommended but not needed.

Last on the list is Grill KISSHO, which many feel is a more affordable teppanyaki restaurant. Grill Kissho is only a two-minute walk from Motomachi station. The restaurant has a diverse range of courses and price points and is also known for its accessible Kobe beef hambagu (hamburger) steaks.

10:00 pm – Relax

With a packed day exploring the sights and sounds of Kobe, it’s time for some rest and relaxation. As the country’s seventh biggest city, the assortment of hotels in the city is sure to meet anyone’s standards and can be booked via the link below.