Destinations

Kobe

“My home city, Kobe, is a truly cosmopolitan city which has close ties with countries all around the world due to the busy port. Foreign visitors are therefore a common and welcome sight to the residents!”  

Asami Oba-Bennett - Rail Pass Department

Kobe must be Japan’s most attractive city. With gleaming modern streets, a welcoming international atmosphere and stunning night time views of the busy port, what’s not to like?  Yes, there’s little in the way of proper tourist attractions, but Kobe is a real working Japanese city with great shopping and fantastic cuisine to boot. 

It’s hard to imagine that only in 1995, more than 6,000 residents lost their lives in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Today there is little sign of the massive destruction that took place in just 20 seconds at 5.46am on January 17th that year. Yet Kobe will never forget this terrible tragedy and a visit to the earthquake museum is highly recommended.

Kobe was one of the first Japanese ports to open to foreign trade in 1868 and it was here that Japan got its first taste of football, golf and beef!  Today Kobe beef is world famous. Other culinary delights include fresh fish such as sea bream and octopus from the nearby Akashi Kaikyo Channel, which is spanned by the world’s largest suspension bridge.

Kobe’s early introduction to foreign influences gives it a cosmopolitan air unrivalled in Japan. Churches, mosques and synagogues sit comfortably together and the lively Chinatown, Nankin-machi, is well worth exploring. 

Wedged between the mountains and Osaka Bay, wherever you wander in Kobe you’ll never be far from the sea. Along the waterfront, Harbourland and the artificial islands of Port Island and Rokko Island are best visited at night. Recent harbour developments include the futuristic architecture of the maritime museum, ferris wheel and the glowing red Port Tower. Down town Sannomiya is the best place for shopping and partying, and a trip up the surrounding mountains by cable car offers unbeatable panoramas.

Products featuring Kobe...

Self Guided Adventure

Inland Sea Highlights Cruise

The sea is Japan's life blood and this deluxe cruise is the perfect way to experience the country. Your luxury hotel goes with you and unique and remote islands and cities become accessible overnight.

8 Nights: £4504

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Self Guided Adventure

Best of the West

Life continues as normal in Kyoto, Osaka and beyond. From Buddhist temple lodgings on Mount Koya, to sacred Miyajima Island, from the bright lights of Kobe port to the beautiful gardens at Matsue’s Adachi Museum; this itinerary offers a wonderful insight into the contrasts that make modern Japan

13 Nights: £1990

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