Main Attractions

Sannomiya, Motomachi – Sannomiya and Motomachi are shopping districts representative of Kobe. Walking southward, we find the Former Foreign Settlement where old and new exist side by side. In December, the Kobe Luminarie festival of illumination is held attracting no less than 5 million visitors. Enjoy delicious Chinese food in China Town (Nankin-machi). Hunt for a second-hand bargain under the elevated railroad (Kokashita).

Kitano, Shin-Kobe – Red brick chimneys, large verandas... Elegant western houses left by foreigners stand in a row along the Kitano Ijinkan Street. Touring around Ijinkan like Weathercock House and Moegi House, you must be impressed by the fantastic sight from the slope. Make a good buy at the shops, relish dishes of various countries. After having your fill of Kitano, go ahead to Shin-Kobe. Aerial stroll by Ropeway to the Nunobiki Herb Park on the hillside to the north of Shin-Kobe. Relax with the fragrance of herbs. "Kitano Meister Garden" with 20 Kobe-brand ateliers on Tor Road is also worth visiting.

Port of Kobe, Harborland - Stylish, modern foreign cultures have been adopted by the Port of Kobe since it was opened in 1868. Treat yourself to a walk around the illuminated port. Enjoy the port sights or the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge from a cruise ship. Harborland, to the south of JR Kobe sta. is also packed with various shopping, eating, and amusement spots.

Port Island, Rokko Island – With an International Conference Center and Convention facilities, Port Island is an enriched future-style marine town. Try the thrilling rides at Portopia Land! Extend your trip to Kobe Fashion Museum and Koiso Memorial Museum of Art on Rokko Island, Kobe's second man-made island.

Mt. Rokko, Mt. Maya - Mt. Rokko is a resort spot opened in the Meiji era as a foreigners' villa site. There are substantial resort facilities such as "Rokko Country House" that is used as an artificial skiing ground or a mini-golf course, "Hall of halls Rokko" where a variety of music boxes from the world are exhibited, etc. A tourist pasture "Rokkosan Pasture" with various attractions and "Maya Tenjoji Temple" dedicated to the Buddha's real mother Maya, are on Mt. Maya, located to the west of Mt. Rokko. The romantic 10 million dollar nightscape enthralls visitors.

Nada, Higashi-Nada - A stone's throw from Sannomiya, the quiet surroundings of Oji Park. Visit Oji Zoo where the pandas are visitor's favorites. Nada San Gou, with its famous sake warehouses is worth a trip. Sample sake brewed from the famous Miya Mizu water.

Arima Spa – Arima Spa is one of the oldest hot springs resorts in Japan, and said to be a kind of innermost Japanese room of Kansai. Visitors will get to know about the history of Arima at Taiko-no-yudono Museum where the bathroom made by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi is exhibited. Arima hot spring is famous for the reddish-brown "Kinsen" (gold spring) that contains much iron, and colorless, transparent "Ginsen" (silver spring) that contains radium. From antiquity, it has been said that this hot spring is good for all kinds of disease. Excellent nature in each season, cherry blossom in spring and fall color, etc. Only 30 min. from the center of Kobe. Visitors are welcomed to the spa with a great deal of atmosphere.

Suma, Maiko – Throughout the year, crowds of visitors come to "Suma Beach" to enjoy marine sports like swimming, wind surfing, etc. There is a "Play-Zone" beside the beach, including "Suma Marine Fishing Park" and "Suma Aqualife Park" famous for its "Dolphin Live House", "Sea-otter House" and "Amazon House". Many historical places such as a battlefield site from the Taira-Minamoto War show another face of this old town. The world's longest suspension bridge, "Akashi Kaikyo Bridge" is illuminated in seven colors by night. "Azur Maiko" resort beach by the bridge, "Marine Pia Kobe Port Bazaar", a shopping and gourmet spot, and "Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall", the only facility in Japan associated with Sun Yat-Sen are all worth seeing.

Seishin, Hokushin – It takes about 30 min. by subway from Sannomiya to Kobe's dormitory suburb, Seishin. Green Stadium Kobe in Kobe Sports Park is the home of Orix Blue Wave, and Universiade Memorial Stadium is the home of Vissel Kobe. Kobe Wine for souvenir at Nogyo Koen (Kobe Winery). There are some popular spots in Hokushin, north side of Rokko Peak, such as Shiawase-no-mura where you can enjoy hot spring and sports and Fruit and Flower Park with a theme of medieval Europe.