Wonderguide by
Amy Vivian-Neal
The Local Kobe Travel Guide
Thanks to Kobe’s status as international port town, long established in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), it’s regarded as a refined city with an ever changing spectacular culinary scene. Known for its Western influenced architecture, as well as the succulent Kobe beef, this city is a must for travellers!
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🤩Top Kobe Beef Restaurants
Kobe beef is the signature dish of the city and deserves its own section in this guide! Kobe beef is succulent, tender and full of flavour. Eating authentic Kobe beef can be a life changing experience! Here is the creme de la creme of Kobe beef restaurants.
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Amy:Aragawa is a 2 Michelin Star Kobe Beef restaurant. They serve carefully selected charcoal broiled Sanda Beef, the highest quality kind of Kobe Beef!
Sanda Beef is an exclusive beef brand, with the farmer raising less than 1,000 cattle per year. They only offer one course menu for ¥35,640, it’s expensive but you can taste the high quality and care that went into preparing this delicious meal.
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Amy:You can still enjoy Kobe Beef without having to pay an arm and a leg. At Miyasu they serve an 8 course meal for ¥15,000 to ¥19,000.
They’ve been serving the best Kobe Beef for more than 75 years!
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Amy:Ishida maintains the highest standards and only obtains Kobe Beef for their costumers. You can relax in extravagance and savour each bite of the sumptuous beef at Ishida. There are 4 branches throughout Kobe.
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Amy:Moriya might be an exclusive restaurant but the chef will warmly welcome any travellers that come in.
You get dinner and a show with the chef cooking the beef in front of you teppanyaki-style!
The Kobe Beef with Akaho salt is highly recommended!
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Amy:Bifteck Kawamura is an award winning Kobe Beef restaurant and is well known in the city. The chef cooks the meat in a large grill right in front of you, teppanyaki-style! The meat is tender, juicy and super rich in flavour.
The chef is really friendly and can speak in English.
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😊Experience
Experience the very best Kobe has to offer. I have included both local recommendations and activists that cater to first time travellers that don’t want to miss out on quintessential Kobe activities and experiences!
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Amy:Stay overnight in a traditional Japanese Inn (ryokan) and take a dip in Arima hot springs. Surrounded by spectacular natural scenery, Arima Hot Springs have over 1000 years of history and are the most highly ranked springs in the Kansai region.
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Amy:Voyagin is a Tokyo based tour company that have fantastic tours all over Japan. Their Sake Brewery Tour In Kobe is a great one! For just ¥10,000 you’re taken to 3 of the best breweries in Kobe, visit a museum that specialises in traditional Japanese pickles plus lunch with your local host! Not bad for a day out!
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Amy:If you are looking for a view of Kobe from above, give Shin-Kobe Ropeway a try. The ropeway is located next to Shin-Kobe Station. It lifts tourists up to the southern part of the Rokko mountain chain. For those who are willing to walk, there is also a hiking trail to climb. Along the way uphill, visitors can find Nunobiki Waterfall — one of Japan’s three most holy waterfalls. You will also find the first concrete dam to be built in Japan, Nunobiki Dam. Just before the top station, do stop by at Nunobiki Herb Garden. Finally, the last part of the trail will be the observation deck and a rest house. You might want to try to hike uphill and go down by the ropeway when it gets dark. As you go down the hill, you can enjoy a beautiful night view of Kobe from inside the ropeway car.
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Amy:The Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum is located in the infamous sake brewery neighbourhood of Kobe, Higashinada. There are several other breweries and museums nearby but this is the only museum in the area to showcase the secrets of master brewers and provide inside insight into how sake is made. The unmissable part is the chance to taste the ultra-precious freshly pressed sake free of charge. While you’re there don’t forget to try the local specialty sake-flavored ice cream!
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Amy:【Ocean Prince】 Proudly claiming the title of the first sailboat to be launched into Kobe Port, this vessel will take you on a 45-minute cruise that takes you outside and inside Kobe Port. Enjoy scenic Kobe attractions from the sea, including Kobe Airport and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in the distance. A spacious deck and a canteen to enjoy are even more reason to get on board!
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🚗Visit
After Japan ended it’s national isolation by opening its doors to the world after the arrival of Commodore Mathew Perry and Townsend Harris, Kobe became an international port town. Throughout the Meiji Period (1868-1912) Kobe established itself as one of Japan’s major ports. Flash forward and it’s still a major port town filled with bustling energy!
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Amy:To experience some different Asian flavours you can escape to this part of Kobe. Get taken in by the bustling energy, the lights, smells and food...
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Amy:One of the biggest disasters to hit not only Kobe but the Kansai area was The Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995. In memory of the devastating event, this site preserves some of the damage caused by the earthquake. For the first 2 weeks in December a Luminarie Festival is held in memory of the lives lost during the disaster. Towering metal archways decorated with hundreds of thousands of light displays illuminate the road from China Town to Kobe’s city hall.
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Amy:For a Muslim tourist, this mosque is a must-visit while you are in Kobe. As the first mosque in Japan, it survived World War II as well as the Great Hanshin Earthquake. For those eager to find halal ingredients, in front of the mosque there is a halal shop where you can do grocery shopping. In addition, if you are here during lunchtime, try the delicious Mediterranean food at Naan Inn, a restaurant across from the mosque.
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Amy:Part of the Kitano Iijinkan is the Mysterious Consulate of Trick Art. This distinctive spot takes you into the world of optical illusions, where what seems to be true to the eye isn’t really so. From being squashed by a giant slice of Kobe steak to seemingly different heights of rooms, this is definitely a fun place for the whole family. So bring your phone and selfie sticks along, and make some unforgettable memories!
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🍕Eat
Kobe is known for its Kobe beef, but this city has so much more! Thanks to it’s strong international connections, Kobe has a huge variety of culinary scenery. From authentic Indian curries and Vietnamese delicacies to mouthwatering European influenced desserts, on top of the restaurants that specialise in the tender juicy Kobe beef. Osaka better watch out, Kobe is nipping at its heels for the Kitchen of Japan City title!
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Amy:After a successful 4 years hosting the 東遊園地 “Eat Local Kobe” Saturday farmer’s market, Mari and Taro started up this shop to provide locally grown products from the garden straight to the table. A little piece of heaven for vegetarians and vegans.
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Amy:There are over 130 bakeries in Kobe and every local has their favourite go to place for their daily bread. Comme Chinois is one of the most popular and beloved bakeries that offers a large variety of breads and pastries.
“Please sir, can I have some more?”
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Amy:Thanks to the natural spring water from Mt. Rokko, this bar is able to produce exquisitely crafted beer. They usually offer between 5 to 7 craft beers, each with a unique and distinctive flavour. The only problem is when to stop drinking!
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Amy:Welcome to the largest restaurant ship anywhere in Japan, modeled after the SS Normandie, a luxury liner from the 1930s. Step aboard and be wowed by this journey back in time, amid sophisticated and elegant art deco surroundings. You'll enjoy a premium setting for a panoramic view of Kobe City and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, while feasting on authentic French cuisine using only the finest seasonal ingredients. All aboard!
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Amy:Once stepping into Bleu Parc, it feels as if you were in a park. Savor handmade gateau fromage and other seasonal cakes together with rich floral aroma that fills the cafe. The cafe also offers a variety of selected teas and coffees.
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Amy:If you like curry, you have visit the Aarti! It is run by an Indian chef and he serves the most beautiful saag paneer, lamb korma and chicken dhansak.
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Amy:This small Italian bistro serves simple and authentic Italian dishes with generous portions. The Mozzarella Oven Bake and the Conger-eel Rotolo are my favorites. <br /> Trattoria Kappa have over 40 varieties of wine to compliment your meal. The lunch menu, is very popular, offering a choice from two homemade pasta dishes. Enjoy a sumptuous meal made with truffles or porcini, when they are available.
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My Recommendations
Don’t know what to do on a day trip to Kobe? Check out some of my personal recommendations!
Wonderguide map
- Aragawa
- Miyasu
- Kobe Beef Steak ISHIDA Main-Shop
- モーリヤ 本店
- Biftek Kawamura Sannomiya Flagship Restaurant
- Arima Hot Spring Ryokan Hanamusubi
- Voyagin (ボヤジン)
- Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway
- Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum
- Kobe Bay Cruise
- Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)
- Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
- Kobe Port Tower
- 神戸ムスリムモスク (神戸回教寺院)
- Kobe Trick Art Museum
- FARMSTAND
- Comme Chinois
- In Tha Door Brewing
- 神戸クルーズ ルミナス神戸2
- ブルーパルク
- インド料理・インドカレーの店 アールティーズインディアンカフェ （神戸 アールティー）
- イタリア料理 trattoria kappa
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