Town Information

Kobe

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo prefecture, and the 6th largest city in Japan with a population of about 1.5 million. It lies between the Seto Inland Sea and the Rokko Mountains. Kobe is often called one of the most attractive cities in Japan.

The history of Kobe takes one back to 7th century. Kobe had been the capital of Japan for a short while (about five months in 1180 A.D.). Kobe port was one of the first Japanese ports opened to foreign trade in 1868 after national isolation period for over 200 years. Since there still exists a lot of foreign residences set up by foreigners once the port was opened, Kobe offers exotic atmosphere. Roughly a decade after the devastating 1995 earthquake which destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, the city has been completely rebuilt.

For your help for Kobe excursions, please look at this web site.

Feel Kobe Official Kobe Tourism Site: http://feel-kobe.jp/english/index.html

Sannomiya / Motomachi

Sannomiya / Motomachi is the downtown of Kobe. There are various commercial facilities. This is an area of many offerings, including gourmet food and shopping. The old settlement established at the entrance to the Kobe port combines a modern atmosphere with a “retro” one. Nankin-machi is the famous Chinatown district, where many restaurants and variety stores stand. Sannomiya station is a central station in Kobe area available for JR, Hankyu, Hanshin, subways and Portliner.

Kitano / Shin-kobe

Kitano, a town on the hills north of Sannomiya, is the most popular sightseeing spots in Kobe. Once the Kobe port was opened, foreigners built their houses around the Kitano area. As a result, numerous foreign residences gave Kitano an exotic atmosphere. The Shin-Kobe Ropeway operates from Shin-Kobe to Nunobiki-Herb Garden, from which you can enjoy panoramic views over Kobe.

Harborland / Meriken Park

Harborland, which is close to Kobe station, is the seaside entertainment zone. You can enjoy shopping, amusement and gourmet spots all together there. Meriken Park is a seaside park with a view of Port Tower, a Kobe landmark. Cruise ships touring the Kobe port and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge are in service to enjoy the beautiful view of Kobe from the sea.

Nada / Higashinada

The eastern coastal area of Kobe is the largest “sake” (rice wine) -producing reagion in Japan, and has been called “Nada-Gogo (The Five Villages of Nada)” since old times. Most of sake brewers have their own museums to introduce the process of sake brewing and information on production of sake. Visitors can watch the process of sake brewing using new equipment through the glass window and then try sake at the tasting corner.

Mt. Rokko / Mt. Maya

The Mt. Rokko is a series of green mountains running approximately 30 km from east to west in the north area of Kobe. The Mt. Rokko area is very familiar as the great outdoor leisure zone in the Kansai. The night view of the city center and port from Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya has been called “a night view worth ten million dollars.” It’s included among the three great night views in Japan, together with Hakodate and Nagasaki.

Arima

Arima lies in the north of Kobe. Arima Onsen is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan. Many documents since the 8th century mention this onsen. Here, in the hot spring area, you can enjoy two types of water; Kinsen (gold spring), which includes iron and salt; and clear, colorless Ginsen (silver spring). You can also enjoy strolling through the town, the atmosphere of which is so distinctly Japanese.

Suma / Maiko

The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge in Japan was completed in 1998 and is the world’s longest suspension bridge (measured by the length of the center span of 1,991 metres)．It links the city of Kobe on the main land of Honshu to Awaji Island by crossing the busy Akashi Strait.

Kobe and its neighborhood

Kyoto

Kyoto, the seventh largest city in Japan, is the most famous historical city that was the capital of Japan for over a thousand years from 794 A.D. to 1868. Kyoto has a lot of world-famous shrines, Buddhist temples, Japanese garden and castles such as Kinkaku-ji temple, Ginkaku-ji temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple. There are seventeen world heritages in Kyoto. You can also enjoy Japanese traditional culture. Kyoto is located about 70km to the north-east of Kobe. It takes about 30 minutes by JR Shinkansen (from Shin-Kobe station) and about 50 minutes by JR Shinkaisoku (new rapid-service train) from Sannomiya station, which is the fastest way available for a standard fare. Hankyu goes to the center of Kyoto city from Sannomiya station with a cheaper fare than JR.

Kyoto City : http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/index.html

Kyoto Travel Guide : http://www.kyoto.travel/

Osaka

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan. Since it is close to former capitals of Kyoto and Nara, it flourished as an important point for land and water transportation as well as a commercial city. There are abundant shopping spots and gourmet foods. Osaka is located about 30km to the east of Kobe. It takes about 20 minutes by JR Shinkaisoku from Sannomiya station. Hankyu and Hanshin are also available.

Osaka Tourist Guide : http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/

Nara

Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century and the cradle of Japanese culture. Nara area possesses many old, world-famous shrines and Buddhist temples such as Todai-ji temple, Kofuku-ji temple and Kasuga grand shrine. World heritage Horyu-ji temple established in 607 A.D. is home to the world’s oldest wooden structure and stands in Ikaruga town. Nara is located about 70km to the east of Kobe. Both JR and Kintetsu are available to go to Nara. It will be about 70 minutes trip.

Nara City Sightseeing Information Center : http://narashikanko.jp/en/index.html

Nara Prefecture : http://www.pref.nara.jp/nara_e/

Himeji

Himeji is the famous city that possesses the most beautiful castle in Japan. The world heritage Himeji castle has a history of 400 years and is dubbed as While Heron Castle due to its elegant architecture. Himeji is located about 60km to the west of Kobe. It is about 40 minutes ride away on JR Shinkaisoku.

Himeji Tourist Information : http://www.himeji-kanko.jp/en/index.html