Kobe Day Trip: Itinerary and Tips
Last updated: September 5, 2025
Kobe is located in the Kansai region, just a 30-minute train ride from Osaka.
Getting to Kobe from Osaka
You can take JR, Hankyu, or Hanshin trains. Each line stops at different stations in Osaka and Kobe, but these stations are within walking distance of each other. Hanshin and Hankyu also offer set tickets, details are provided below.
- JR from “Osaka” to “Sannomiya” takes about 21 minutes and costs ¥420, details can be found here
- Hanshin from “Osaka Umeda” to “Kobe Sannomiya” takes about 34 minutes and costs ¥330, details can be found here
- Hankyu from “Osaka Umeda” to “Kobe Sannomiya” takes about 27 minutes and costs ¥330, details can be found here
Where to Stay in Kobe
If you want to enjoy the night view, staying in Kobe makes your trip much easier!
Kobe hotels also generally offer better value compared to Osaka.
It’s recommended to stay near JR Sannomiya Station, for example:
- Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kobe Sannomiya – 3 stars, 8.4 rating, 7,247+ reviews
- The Royal Park Canvas Kobe Sannomiya – 4 stars, 8.8 rating, 9,758+ reviews
One-Day Himeji & Kobe Itinerary
Himeji is about 95 km from Osaka and is famous for Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji Castle is Japan’s best-preserved, largest, and most beautiful traditional castle.
Morning: Visit Himeji Castle, see the Himeji Day Trip for details.
Afternoon: Explore Kobe. You can follow the sample itinerary in the next section.
by Vladimir Haltakov
One-Day Kobe Itinerary
Start from Osaka Station, take the JR line to Sannomiya, then transfer to the subway for Shin-Kobe. The whole trip takes about 33 minutes and costs ¥630.
Take the ropeway up to 1. Nunobiki Herb Garden and spend 2–3 hours exploring.
Walk about 10 minutes to 2. Kitano Ijinkan, where you can spend 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Then walk about 15 minutes back toward Sannomiya Station and enjoy a Kobe beef lunch at a nearby restaurant (advance reservations recommended).
After lunch, head to 4. Kobe Port for a stroll or sightseeing (30 minutes to 2 hours).
Return to Osaka, or continue to 5. Mount Maya for the night view. Including travel, this takes around 2–3 hours.
If traveling with kids, consider 6. Kobe Animal Kingdom.
If you love hot springs, consider 7. Arima Onsen.
Attractions in Kobe
1. Nunobiki Herb Garden
The Nunobiki Herb Garden is the largest European-style herb garden in Japan, with around 200 kinds of herbs and flowers. It is located on Mount Rokko at about 400 meters above sea level, and you’ll need to take a ropeway to reach it.
At the top, you’ll find exhibition halls about herbs and essential oils, a greenhouse, footbaths, lounge chairs, observation decks, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Hours: Vary by season (check here)
Ropeway tickets: ¥1,400 one way / ¥2,000 round trip (Book tickets online)
Recommended Visit Time: 2–3 hours (10 minutes one way by ropeway, 1–2 hours for walking around, about 1 hour to hike down)
Tips for Visiting: If you have enough energy and time, take the ropeway up and walk down. On the way, you can also see Nunobiki Falls.
Getting There: 5 minutes on foot from Shin-Kobe Station
Official Site: kobeherb.com
Watch: トKobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Area map: Click to enlarge
2. Kitano Ijinkan (Foreign Residences)
In 1853, the arrival of Commodore Perry’s “Black Ships” forced Japan to open its doors to Western countries. By 1858, Japan had signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, and France, opening 25 port cities to foreign trade. Kobe was one of them, and the Kitano area became home to many foreign residents.
“Ijinkan” literally means “foreign residences.” Today, 16 of these unique houses are open to the public, making it an interesting spot for visitors who enjoy cultural history and architecture.
Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00/6:00 pm
Admission: Tickets can be purchased for individual houses (e.g., the England House ¥880) or as combination passes (3-house pass ¥1,540 / 7-house pass ¥3,300).
Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes – 2 hours
Getting There: About 15 minutes on foot from Sannomiya Station
Official Site: kobe-ijinkan.net
Watch: Ijinkan, Cozy Cafés, & Unique Starbucks
Area map: Click to enlarge
3. Kobe Beef (near Sannomiya Station)
Kobe beef is the most famous beef in Japan.
What counts as Kobe beef:
Only Tajima cattle that are born, raised, and processed in Hyogo Prefecture can qualify. They must also meet the highest Japanese beef grading standards (A4 or A5). Because only about 3,000–4,000 cattle meet the requirements each year, the supply is very limited and the price is high.
Appearance:
The fat is evenly distributed, creating a marbled pattern.
Taste:
Kobe beef fat melts at around 25°C (77°F), giving it a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s especially good for teppanyaki or steak.
Where to eat:
There are many restaurants near JR Sannomiya Station. It’s best to reserve a highly rated place on Google Maps in advance.
- Google Maps may show Kobe beef meals starting from ¥10,000 per person, but expect to spend over ¥20,000 per person for a full dining experience.
- Kobe beef has a much higher fat content than regular beef, so a few people may experience indigestion, such as nausea or diarrhea, after eating.
4. Kobe Port
Kobe Port is one of the city’s most iconic areas. The main attractions include Meriken Park, Kobe Port Tower, and the shopping complex Kobe Harborland umie.
Recommended Visit Time: 30 minutes (just walking around and taking photos) to 2 hours (if you visit the tower, maritime museum, and shopping mall)
Getting There: 5 minutes on foot from Minatomotomachi Station
Meriken Park:
A small waterfront park in Kobe Port. The name “Meriken” comes from the Japanese pronunciation of “American.” The park features a large BE KOBE monument, built to celebrate the city’s recovery after the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Next to it is the Kobe Maritime Museum, a family-friendly spot (admission: ¥900 for adults / ¥400 for children, open 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, closed on Mondays).
Watch: Kobe Love Port みなとまつり2025
Kobe Port Tower:
Standing 108 meters tall, the tower has been a symbol of Kobe since 1963. It is open from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm (admission: ¥1,200 for adults / ¥500 for children, online booking available). Visitors can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and harbor, and there is also an open-air observation deck at the top.
Watch: Kobe Port Tower | Beautiful viewpoint reopens to visitors after major renovation
5. Mount Maya Night View
The night view from Mount Maya is considered one of the Three Great Night Views of Japan, along with Mount Hakodate in Hokkaido and Mount Inasa in Nagasaki. The main viewing spot is called Kikuseidai Observatory, located at about 700 meters above sea level. It’s worth visiting on a clear day, especially around sunset, check sunset times here.
Hours: Depend on the operating schedule of the ropeway and cable car, closed on Tuesdays, check here for details
Admission: Free for the observatory, but the cable car and ropeway require tickets (round trip: ¥1,560 adults / ¥780 children)
Recommended Visit Time: 15–30 minutes
Tips for Visiting: The summit can be quite windy, so bring extra layers to stay comfortable.
Official Site: koberope.jp
Getting There:
Getting to Kikuseidai Observatory from JR Sannomiya Station takes about 1–1.5 hours, including bus, cable car, and ropeway.
① From JR Sannomiya Station, take Bus No. 18 to Maya Cable Shita (25 minutes, ¥230). Buses run only 1–2 times per hour, so check the timetable in advance. The cable car station is right next to the bus stop.
② Alternatively, take Bus No. 2 to Kannonji (21 minutes, ¥230), then walk 7 minutes to the cable car station.
③ From Maya Cable Station, take a 5-minute cable car ride, then transfer to a 5-minute ropeway ride to Hoshi no Eki. The observatory is right there.
Watch: 神户百万夜景 | 摩耶山缆车下山
Photo Highlights:
Area map:
6. Kobe Animal Kingdom
Kobe Animal Kingdom is an open-style zoo where visitors can get up close with many small animals. It’s especially popular with families.
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00/5:30 pm, closed on Thursdays
Animal show schedule: See here
Admission: ¥2,200 adults / ¥1,200 children
Transport package: From Osaka, round-trip train fare + admission ¥2,800 adults / ¥1,500 children (details here)
Recommended Visit Time: 1–3 hours (the park isn’t very large, but watching animal shows takes more time)
Official Site: kobe-oukoku.com
Getting There:
① Take the Hanshin Line from Osaka Umeda [Hanshin] to Kobe Sannomiya [Hanshin] (31 minutes, ¥330).
② Transfer to the Portliner and ride from Kobe Sannomiya [Hanshin] to Keisan Kagaku Center Station (14 minutes, ¥290). The zoo is right outside the station.
Watch: JAPAN’s Amazing INTERACTIVE Zoo!
7. Arima Onsen
Arima, together with Dogo and Shirahama, is one of the Three Ancient Hot Springs of Japan. It is the most popular hot spring area in the Kansai region.
Recommended Visit Time: 2–3 hours
Suggested itinerary:
① Walk from the station straight to Taiko-no-Yu (A complimentary shuttle bus is available from the station to Taiko-no-Yu.).
② Enjoy the hot spring baths.
③ On the way back, stroll through the hot spring town, pick up snacks, or shop for souvenirs.
Getting There: From Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, take two simple transfers (at the same station, very easy) and get off at Arima Onsen (Kobe Dentetsu). The whole trip takes about 45 minutes and costs ¥690.
Taiko-no-Yu (太閤の湯)
This is the largest day-use hot spring in Arima, featuring six outdoor baths, four indoor baths, and one cold-water bath. It is very foreigner-friendly (English-speaking staff, English guides available) and offers both the famous gold and silver hot spring waters.
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Admission: Weekdays ¥2,750 adults / ¥1,239 children; Weekends ¥2,970 adults / ¥1,430 children
Official Site: taikounoyu.com
Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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