How to Spend 1 Full Day in Kobe, Japan

Kobe, nestled between the sea and mountains, is a vibrant port city known for its scenic beauty, unique history, and of course, the world-renowned Kobe beef. Whether you’re exploring its Western/European-style architecture, indulging in local delicacies, or enjoying waterfront views, Kobe offers a refreshing contrast to Japan’s larger cities like Osaka or Kyoto.

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TLDR 🫣 
Kobe: A charming city in Hyogo Prefecture known for its iconic Kobe beef and scenic waterfront, making it an ideal day trip for first-timers.
Itinerary:
- Morning: Arrive in Kobe, grab onigiri from Lawson’s, and explore the Kitano-cho district and its historic Western-style houses. 
- Afternoon: Stroll along Kobe Harborland, indulge in matcha treats at Maccha House, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
- Late Afternoon: Head to the Kobe Port Tower for panoramic views and snap a picture with the “Be Kobe” sign.
- Evening: Explore Chinatown and dine on authentic Kobe beef at a highly rated Kobe beef restaurant, like Kobemeriken hatoba.
Pro Tips:
- Book a reservation at Kobemeriken hatoba via Instagram for a memorable Kobe beef dinner—definitely worth the splurge! 
- For budget-friendly options, stay at the Kobe Motomachi Tokyu REI Hotel, which is close to the train station and in the heart of Chinatown for less than $70 CAD per night.

We spent 1 full day in Kobe (2 if you count travel days) during our month-long adventure in Japan! If you’re planning a longer trip, check out our 31-day itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for a high-level overview of the cities we explored, where we stayed, and what we loved in each place. But for now, let’s dive into how to spend 1 full day in Kobe for first-timers. (Heads up: some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase!)

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AWARDS

Best Experiences: Walking along Kobe Harborland, enjoying the scenic waterfront.

Best Eats: Having Kobe beef in Kobe at Kobemeriken habtoba, a cozy restaurant with just 6-9 seats. (Pro tip: DM them on Instagram for reservations!)

Best “Bang for your Buck” Hotel: Kobe Motomachi Tokyu REI Hotel (less than $70 CAD per night).

Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase)

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HOW TO GET TO KOBE

Reaching Kobe is a breeze via Japan’s efficient public transportation system. We took the train from Kyoto to Kobe, and when leaving, headed to Himeji by train as well. Both routes were quick, affordable, and much easier than trying to navigate bus options. In general, we try to take the local train if commute times are reasonable and avoid taking buses. Bringing your luggage on buses is frowned up (sometimes not even allowed) as they take up a lot of space. Here’s our route:

– Kyoto to Kobe: Tokaido-Sanyo Line, 1,100 yen per person (~$11 CAD), about 1 hour.

– Kobe to Himeji: Tokaido-Sanyo Line, 2,310 yen per person (~$23 CAD), about 2 hours.

If you’re also visiting cities like Osaka or Kyoto, check out our itineraries for How to Spend 4 Full Days in Osaka and How to Spend 4 Full Days in Kyoto for more detailed travel tips. If you’re thinking of stopping over in Himeji on your way from Kobe to Hiroshima, check out How to Spend 1 Day in Himeji.

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ITINERARY

Let’s break down How to Spend 1 Full Day in Kobe, Japan as First-Timers:

Morning: Kitano-cho District

Start your day in the Kitano-cho district, famous for its historic Western-style houses. We grabbed a quick breakfast—onigiris from Lawson’s for about $6 CAD—and took a stroll through the charming streets. Optional Stop: The Nunobiki Herb Garden & Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway is a popular attraction if you enjoy gardens and panoramic views, but we skipped it due to the 2,000 yen ($20 CAD) per person entrance fee.

While in Kitano-cho, you’ll find a beautiful temple after an uphill walk, offering stunning views of Kobe from above. We spent 20-30 minutes here, enjoying the serenity of another beautiful Japanese temple.

There’s also a quaint Starbucks at the bottom of the hill, housed in a historic building filled with vintage décor and maps—a nostalgic spot for a coffee break.

Honest Review: If you’re short on time, Kitano-cho can be skipped, especially if you’re visiting other cities with richer cultural experiences. In other words, if you’ve been to Europe, this area may feel underwhelming, as it mimics European architecture but lacks the authenticity.

Afternoon: Kobe Harborland

By the afternoon, make your way to Kobe Harborland, the city’s lively waterfront area. The serene views of the ocean, a giant Ferris wheel, and vibrant atmosphere make it a must-see. We loved this area the most in Kobe! There’s also an Anpanman children’s museum and mall here, but they close quite early. So, if you’re looking for something to do with the kids or if you’re an Anpanman lover, get here early in the morning!

One of our unexpected highlights was stumbling upon Maccha House for matcha snacks. After missing out in Kyoto due to long lines, we were thrilled to find no wait here in Kobe. We indulged in the matcha tiramisu and premium tea combo for $11 CAD. One of the few instances we’ve encountered in Japan where a combo is actually a deal and not the price of two items added together! But, the matcha ice cream for $7 CAD was the real winner—delicious and refreshing! Sometimes, you just need icecream for lunch.

Late Afternoon: Kobe Port Tower

After enjoying our dessert lunch, we headed over to the Kobe Port Tower for panoramic views of the city and harbour. This area is expansive, offering a perfect spot to imagine cruise ships docking or just soak in the coastal breeze. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the famous “Be Kobe” sign for a fun touristy moment!

Evening: Kobe Beef Dinner

By 6:00 PM, we found ourselves back in Chinatown and near our hotel. We wandered around Chinatown, tempted to get one of the snacks from the local shops as they brought back fond memories of Taipei, but we had bigger plans for dinner.

We made reservations at Kobemeriken hatoba to experience authentic Kobe beef at 7:00 PM. For those unfamiliar, Kobe beef is one of the highest-grade cuts of beef, known for its intense marbling and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The cattle are raised in the Hyogo Prefecture, and the meticulous care given to these cows results in an unforgettable culinary experience. Seriously, ranchers massage their cattle daily, sometimes with sake.

We ordered two steaks (one was a prime rib!), which each came with soup, salad, rice, and an alcoholic drink. This was one of those splurges, but absolutely worth it. We had done our research and we didn’t want to go to a cheaper place only to be disappointed by the quality of the beef – we only had one dinner so we thought, let’s do it right! This meal set us back about $136 CAD, but we saved throughout the day by having simple meals like matcha ice cream for lunch and Lawson’s onigiri for breakfasts. No regrets!

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TOTAL COST for 1 Full Day in Kobe (Approximate, CAD for 2 people):

Accommodations for 2 nights: $138

Activities: $0 (We focused on free experiences)

Food: $195 (Eating Kobe Beef was the main splurge)

TOTAL: $333 (Roughly $83 per person, per day)

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Did we like Kobe? Yes.
Should you add Kobe to your Japan itinerary? Maybe. While it’s a charming city with unique experiences (how many people can say they’ve tried Kobe beef in Kobe?), we’d rank cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo higher. Kobe is perfect for a quick stop, especially if you’re already passing through, but if you’re pressed for time, you could just as easily enjoy Kobe beef in another part of Japan and save the extra day for exploring elsewhere.

If you’re planning a longer trip, don’t forget to check out our 31-day Japan itinerary, How to Spend 1 Month in Japan, for more travel tips and inspiration. Comment below if you have any questions!