Best Kobe Day Trip Itinerary + Tips Before You Visit

During my last visit to Japan, I took a day trip to Kobe from Osaka.

I kept reading mixed reviews on if Kobe is worth visiting.

Since I was staying in Osaka for a bit and had time to do a Kobe day trip, I decided to go for it!

Here’s everything I did on a day trip to Kobe from Osaka, including things I wish I did.

📝 Mix and match: 33 Fun Things to Do in Kobe

Heading to Nara too? Check out my Nara day trip itinerary next.

Why Visit Kobe?

• Scenic Beauty: Kobe is a port town so you’ll get nice harbor views during the day and night. Plus, Kobe has Rokko Mountain for scenic hiking trails and panoramic views.
• Cultural Attractions: Kobe has the Kitano district with European-style houses, a vibrant Chinatown, and Ikuta Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan.
• Hot Springs (Onsen): Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring resorts, is a popular stop in Kobe.

My First Impressions of Kobe

• Kobe is Japan’s 7th largest city. It felt like a working city but without the chaos of Tokyo.
• It is very clean and walkable with lots of modern buildings and commercial areas.
• There weren’t a lot of foreign tourists, but it was a great “tourist city” with lots of places to see.

How Many Hours Do You Need in Kobe?

Admittedly, I started my Kobe day trip late, but a minimum of four hours is sufficient for a leisurely time in Kobe.

If you stay longer for your Kobe day trip, you’ll be able to visit hidden gems as well as see Kobe’s night views, which are pretty great!

I ended up staying until around 8:30pm, and easily took the train back to Osaka in no time.

To save time join a Kobe day trip tour:

• Kobe Day Trip from Osaka + Mt. Rokko Night View
• Private Kobe Day Trip Tour with a local for insights

Getting Around Kobe

• Train: Kobe has JR lines and subways connecting major attractions and neighborhoods, though you’ll still likely be walking 10-15 minutes to get to some sites.
• Bus: To limit walking distances, take the Kobe city bus, which accepts the Suica card.
• Walking: Many of Kobe’s key attractions are within walking distance of each other, in the range of 10-20 minutes. I ended up walking to most places, including a trek to a waterfall!

🎟️ Buy a Kobe Passport for free entry to 40+ attractions

Top 5 Things to Do for a Kobe Day Trip

Here are the five most popular things to do in Kobe for a Kobe day trip that separates it from other cities in Japan.

1. Meriken Park: This waterfront park has the iconic Kobe Port Tower, picturesque views of the harbor, and the BE KOBE sign.

There’s usually a short line to take a photo.

2. Kobe Harborland: A shopping and entertainment area and walking street along the harbor, with restaurants and shops like Donguri Garden Mosaic, a Studio Ghibli merchandise shop.

3. Kitano District: This area is known for its well-preserved European-style and English-themed houses.

4. Ikuta Shrine: While this shrine is not large, it’s popular for being one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dating back to the 3rd century, and is famous shrine to pray for love and healthy relationships.

5. Hike Mount Rokko: While getting here takes some effort, the hike or a cable car up Mount Rokko provides stunning views of Kobe and the surrounding areas.

Book a tour instead.

While there, visit the Rokko Garden Terrace and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden.

Top Kobe day trip tours to join:

🔹 Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

🔹 Sake Tasting at Local Breweries in Kobe

🔹 Combo Day Tour: Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto & Nara

Full Kobe Day Trip Itinerary

Here’s a full itinerary on how to spend a Kobe day trip, along with alternatives.

The main factor will be your preference on night and day views, and what time you have to leave Kobe.

Morning (2 hours)

*If you prefer night views, go again or save both locations for evening time.

1. Kobe Harborland:

• Walk along the pier.
• Stop by Donguri Garden Mosaic, a Studio Ghibli merchandise shop.
• Ride the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel (open 10am-10pm, $5 USD).

2. Meriken Park

• Take a photo with the KOBE sign.
• Explore the street art and several art installations.
• Sit by the harbor.

Early Noon (2hours)

Grab a bite or shop at any or both of these areas, a 10-minutes walk from each other:

3. Chinatown: Lots of eateries, including some vegan-friendly street food.

4. Sannomiya Center Gai Shopping Street: a long covered walking street with shops and restaurants.

Another similar location is the Motomachi Walking Street.

Noon (2-3 hours)

5. Mount Rokko:

• To get to the top of Mount Rokko, you can either hike or take a combo of bus from Rokko Station to Rokko Cablecar, then a cable car up to Mount Rokko.
• You can save Mount Rokko for sunset or evening views, deemed “10-Million Dollar Views.”
• Visit the Rokko Garden Terrace and Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden.

🎫 Make it easier: Book a day tour to Kobe + Mount Rokko

Afternoon (1-2 hours)

6. Kitano District:

• Walk along the street for views of beautiful western-style homes and museums.
• Visit The English House, a Sherlock Holmes-themed house and pub.

Evening (1-2 hours)

If you have more time before you head back from your Kobe day trip, stop by Meriken Park and Harborland again for great night views of the harbor, BE KOBE sign, and Kobe Port Tower.

You can also take the Mosaic Big Ferris Wheel, which closes at 10pm.

Plus, there’s lots of cement seating along the water to sit and relax on.

Downtown Kobe and Chinatown are also nice areas to walk through in the evening.

As people get off work, it becomes busy and vibrant.

Alternatives:

Here are additional things to do in a Kobe day trip if you have more time or prefer to switch things up.

📝 Mix and match: 33 Fun Things to Do in Kobe

1. Nunobiki Falls: While this was a mild walk and hike to get to, the trail and views, along with viewing deck was very peaceful.

2. Arima Onsen: If you have time, this is a popular activity in Kobe. Enjoy the onsen springs, stay at an onsen resort, and explore the charming town streets.

3. Nunobiki Herb Garden Trail: Enjoy a scenic hike or ropeway ride through the lush greenery, leading to the Nunobiki Herb Garden with a variety of plants and flowers.

🎫 Prebook the Nunobiki Herb Gardens Ticket & Ropeway Ticket

4. Cruise Kobe Bay: Take an evening cruise around Kobe Bay ($17 USD) to enjoy the city lights from the water.

How to Get to Kobe

Kobe is 30 km (19 miles) from Osaka, and about 75 km (47 miles) from Kyoto.

There are several ways to get to Kobe. Assuming you’re taking a Kobe day trip from Osaka, here are the easiest ways:

1. JR Line: Take the JR train from Osaka Station to Sannomiya Station in Kobe.
   • Time: 21 minutes
   • Cost: 420 yen ($2.60 USD)
2. Hanshin Line: Take the Hanshin Main Line from Umeda Station in Osaka to Sannomiya Station in Kobe.
   • Time: 31 minutes
   • Cost: 330 yen ($2 USD)
3. Shinkansen: Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station.
   • Time: 12 minutes
   • Cost: 1,510 yen ($9.50 USD) for unreserved seat

Tip: You can easily prebook the Shinkansen online on Klook.

Is Kobe Worth Visiting?

Kobe is an easy day trip from Osaka, with many things to do as tourist that varies from scenic water views to cultural and nature sites.

It’s also very easy to walk around, though some sites takes some transportation efforts.

If I had to do it again, I would join Mt. Rokko Night View Day Tour to bypass DIY-ing the transportation to Mt. Rokko.

For an overnight stay, I’d relax at one of the many onsen and buy a Kobe passport.

I personally enjoyed it and loved exploring Kobe, but I also had many extra days to take a Kobe day trip.

If your time in Japan is limited, and are debating between Kobe and Nara, I would go with the Nara day trip, since seeing wild deer is a rarity!

Still, both cities are charmingly different and worth visiting.

Enjoy your Kobe day trip!

Book before your Kobe trip:

▢ Purchase your bullet train ticket to Kobe

▢ Buy a Kobe Passport for access to 40+ attractions

▢ Best hotels in Kobe if you spend a night

▢ Hire a private driver in Kobe for a day

▢ Add a fun Kobe day tour to your visit