Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems • 8 hours 5.0
(6)

Must see Kobe with a local

Mount Rokko, glass bottomed bridges and strolls along the Maiko Marine Promenade.

If you only have one day to spend in Kobe, consider buying  a pass for the City Loop bus that hits all of the major tourist sites

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • Get to know the real Kobe through a local lens with your host (a city local), seeing the highlights while avoiding the tourist traps (yes, it can be done!)
  • Discover the main attractions, then hop off the beaten track and discover hidden gems along the way - like we said, no tourist traps!
  • Take in the awe-inspiring sights of the city's attractions and start ticking off those must-sees on your bucket-list (if you have such a thing)
  • Eat and drink authentic Japanese food by picking up street food recommended by your host or stopping by at a local eatery
  • Get tips from your host for exciting places to visit during the rest of your stay, and even more exciting things to eat

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

8 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience
8 hours with a host
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Kobe Tourist Information Center- The host will be waiting in front of the tourist information center

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

It's tough trying to sum Kobe up in one sentence, let alone seeing all its must-sees in a day! But that is not the aim. The important thing is that you get to experience the things that are unmissable to you. Great news - with one of our local Kobe hosts, you’ll be able to do just that.

Not sure what you want to see and do? Whether you want to explore iconic monuments, check out the scenic gardens and beautiful waterfalls or sink your teeth into the famous Kobe beef, the choice is yours.

We have a few suggestions though. Nothing beats walking along the Maiko Marine Promenade on a sunny day, and while you are there why not cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - be sure to look down as the floors are made of glass. Eeek!

If this is your first time visiting Kobe then you can’t miss the Kitano Foreign Residents area, where you will find row upon row of architecturally stunning buildings lined up next to one another.

It seems kind of mandatory that you amble up (or take a cable car) to the top of Mount Rokko, but if you would prefer something less strenuous and outdoorsy, you could always check out the Kobe Maritime Museum, or one of the other many fascinating museums in the city.

Hungry? We mentioned that famous Kobe beef but that is not all there is to eat (obviously). Kobe is home to a large Chinatown where you’ll find all manner of unusual delicacies to try!

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Marlene Oct 2023

Great one on one tour. Very good English

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Barbara May 2025

Our tour guide, Max, made this tour an unforgettable one. We learned a lot about Japan, its people, the food, and the city of Kobe from him. We look forward to coming back soon!

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Margaretha May 2025

Kobe is not a bustling city when compared to others in the area like Osaka and Kyoto. Having a host that explores Kobe with you is really special. Lovely to go to the herb gardens to see the city from the top, go onto the longest suspension bridge in the world, eat magnificent local sushi, see the earthquake memorial site and even play pachinko! A wonderful day out.

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Barbara May 2025

Max was an excellent guide. The places he took us to and the food he chose and had us try (and the beer!) were all very delicious. We felt more like locals and learned a lot in this specific tour out of all the ones we participated in. If you want to know more about Kobe and even other cities in Japan, he’s your guide!

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Margaretha May 2025

It was a delightful day. We started at the herb gardens. Once we sat down to share a drink and talk, it felt like a day out with a friend. By lunchtime, when we popped into a fantastic sushi place and drank local saki, it definitely felt like it. And our guide assisted with making a dinner booking at a Kobe beef restaurant. The day was just perfect, ending with him showing us how to play pachinko. Fun, insightful and all round a great experience.

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Diane May 2025
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