Make the most of your time in Kobe, with a local insider leading the way and revealing its secrets! As one of the first ports to open to foreigners, Kobe has a uniquely international feel that’s unlike anywhere else in Japan. There’s nowhere better to begin than Kobe Port Town, the city’s cultural hub that’s known for its history, great nightlife and the iconic, twisting Port Tower. You could discover Chinatown, barbecue your own Kobe beef, or pray for love at the Ikuta Shrine. But it’s not just a cosmopolitan vibe that the city is renowned for; you could explore the Mt Rokko mountains to hike pristine forest trails, soak in the famous hot springs or even take the Rokko Cable car to the summit for views all the way to Osaka! 

From Kobe port, your host will lead the way, perhaps first to Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown, a historic quarter of the city near the port where you can feast on delicious Chinese dishes and peruse the busy, red-hued shopping streets. Explore neighboring Sannomiya, the centre of Kobe’s youth culture, or if it’s entertainment you’re looking for, head a little more inland to retro Shinkaichi. With locally loved cafes and quirky shopping areas, it’s a colorful area with a lot of history, full of eccentric shops dedicated to all things otaku culture. Or, to discover Kobe’s natural beauty and onsen (hot springs), visit stunning Arima, a region nestled in the folds of Mt Rokko that’s famous for its rejuvenating gold and silver onsen water.