Kobe is one of Japan’s most appealing port cities, hemmed between the mountains and the sea. Cosmopolitan history, a famous night view and world-renowned beef make it a rewarding stop, easily reached from Osaka and Kyoto. This guide brings together our individual Kobe travel guides to help you plan.

Our Kobe Travel Guides

• Kitano Ijinkan: Kobe’s Historic Foreign Quarter — hillside Western mansions.
• Kobe Harborland and Meriken Park — the photogenic waterfront.
• Mount Rokko and Kobe’s Famous Night View — one of Japan’s three great night views.
• Kobe Beef and Nankinmachi: Eating in Kobe — wagyu and Chinatown.

How Long to Stay

Kobe works well as a one- or two-day trip. A single day covers Kitano, the harbour and a beef lunch, while a second day lets you add the Rokko or Maya night view and a soak at Arima Onsen. It is also an easy day trip from Osaka, just half an hour by train.

Getting Around

Central Kobe is compact and walkable, with Sannomiya as the main hub. Trains, a subway and the loop bus link the sights, and the harbour, Kitano and Chinatown are all within a short walk of one another.

Use the guides above to shape your visit, then check our hotel recommendations for the best area to stay.

Where to Stay in Kobe

• Where to Stay in Kobe: Sannomiya Hotels — central transport hub.
• Where to Stay in Kobe: Harborland and Port Hotels — scenic waterfront.

For everything in one place, see The Complete Kobe Guide.