Kobe

Kōbe (神戸) is a city in the Hyogo Perfecture of Japan.

A cosmopolitan port city with an international flavor, hemmed in by Mt. Rokko, Kōbe is often ranked as the best place for expatriates to live in Japan. The city has a population of over 1.5 million people.

A port in what would become Kōbe was established as a concession to western powers in 1868, during the time when Japan was opening to the world. Nagasaki and Yokohama had already begun serving foreign ships nine years earlier. Today, a synagogue, Japan's first mosque, Japan's first Sikh temple, a Chinatown, and European architecture mark Kōbe as a place where foreigners and foreign culture first arrived in Japan.

At 05:46 AM on January 17, 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale, struck near the city. The quake killed 6,433 people, made 300,000 people homeless and destroyed 10,000 buildings and large parts of the port facilities, and toppled the Hanshin Expressway, an elevated freeway. It was one of the most costly natural disasters in modern history. However, visitors will not see any of the aftermath of the quake as the city has been restored.

Kobe's main attraction for the Japanese is its concentration of Western-style houses, some dating back to the days when Kobe was opened for foreign trade in 1868. Europeans who grew up in similar scenery may find them less fascinating.

• Kitano Ijinkan. Kōbe's main attractions are the Ijinkan (foreign houses). These are 19th-century residences of Kobe's foreign traders, clustered in the Kitano area.
• Kyu-kyoryuchi. This is where foreign consulates and trading companies built their offices. Several 19th-century buildings have been converted into restaurants and shops. Notable buildings include Chartered Square, once the Chartered Bank branch and the 15th Building (十五番館), once the American consulate. The area is also packed full of high-fashion boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi.
• Chinatown. The original settlement of Chinese merchants. Today, it is rather touristy though it offers some "Japanised" versions of Chinese food such as pork buns (豚饅頭 buta-manjū). Its architecture is still rather pleasant though.

Kitano Ijinkan. Kōbe's main attractions are the Ijinkan (foreign houses). These are 19th-century residences of Kobe's foreign traders, clustered in the Kitano area.

Kyu-kyoryuchi. This is where foreign consulates and trading companies built their offices. Several 19th-century buildings have been converted into restaurants and shops. Notable buildings include Chartered Square, once the Chartered Bank branch and the 15th Building (十五番館), once the American consulate. The area is also packed full of high-fashion boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Fendi.

Chinatown. The original settlement of Chinese merchants. Today, it is rather touristy though it offers some "Japanised" versions of Chinese food such as pork buns (豚饅頭 buta-manjū). Its architecture is still rather pleasant though.

• Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, +81 78 242-0216. 09:30-16:30. A very nice exploration of hand carpentry tools, from the stone axes of Jomon age to the Western influenced tools of yesterday. Hands-on exhibits and English language descriptions make this a pleasant place to spend the afternoon. ¥300.

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, +81 78 242-0216. 09:30-16:30. A very nice exploration of hand carpentry tools, from the stone axes of Jomon age to the Western influenced tools of yesterday. Hands-on exhibits and English language descriptions make this a pleasant place to spend the afternoon. ¥300.

• Tetsujin 28 statue. A 18-meter-tall statue of a manga robot that was built to help rebuild the Nagata ward of Kobe both financially and morally after the great earthquake. The Nagata ward was one of the worst hit areas and the character of the statue has a long history to Japan as a whole and specifically this area.
• Weathercock House. Arguably the most-often photographed house among the Ijinkan

Tetsujin 28 statue. A 18-meter-tall statue of a manga robot that was built to help rebuild the Nagata ward of Kobe both financially and morally after the great earthquake. The Nagata ward was one of the worst hit areas and the character of the statue has a long history to Japan as a whole and specifically this area.

Weathercock House. Arguably the most-often photographed house among the Ijinkan

• Kobe Port Tower, 5-5 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward (In Meriken Park, +81 78-391-6751. 09:00-21:00. Built in 1962, it is the world's first sightseeing tower with a pipe structure. The unofficial symbol of the city. 108m tall. 5 levels of observatories. ¥700.
• Observation deck on the 24th Floor of Kobe City Hall, 6-5-1 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku (6 minute walk south from Sannoyima, +81 78-331-8181. M-F 08:15-22:00; Sa Su holiday: 10:00-22:00. Offers nice bay and mountain views of Kobe. Free.

Kobe Port Tower, 5-5 Hatobacho, Chuo Ward (In Meriken Park, +81 78-391-6751. 09:00-21:00. Built in 1962, it is the world's first sightseeing tower with a pipe structure. The unofficial symbol of the city. 108m tall. 5 levels of observatories. ¥700.

Observation deck on the 24th Floor of Kobe City Hall, 6-5-1 Kano-cho, Chuo-ku (6 minute walk south from Sannoyima, +81 78-331-8181. M-F 08:15-22:00; Sa Su holiday: 10:00-22:00. Offers nice bay and mountain views of Kobe. Free.

Kōbe is a well-known center of sake production and many sake breweries are in the Nada (灘) area and have tours or museums open to the public. You can pick up a map of the sake breweries at the tourist information office in Sannomiya.

• Sawa-no-Tsuru Museum, +81 78-882-7788. 10:00-16:00, closed Wednesday. This museum is probably the best of the bunch, with an informative multi-level exhibit partly labelled in English, and a well-stocked gift shop Free entry and free sake.
• Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, +81 78-822-8907. 09:30-16:30, closed M. This museum is inside a former brewery, and features traditional tools, dioramas and English-language videos to explain the sake-making processes. At the end, you can sample some sake, which is non-pasteurized, presumably because it doesn't have to travel far from the factory. Write your name on a piece of paper provided by the guard and return that at the end. Free entry, free sake.
• Hamafukutsuru-Ginjo Brewery and Shop, +81 78-411-0492. 10:00-17:00, closed M. Reportedly, Hamafukutsuru offers factory tours, rather than just a museum
• Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Company, Kobe, Higashi Nada-ku Uozaki Nishimachi 1-9-1 (Approx. 10-minute walk south from Hanshin Uozaki Station; approx. 2-minute walk north from Rokko Liner Minami-Uozaki Station., +81 78-854-1029. 09:30-16:30 (Entry until 16:00). Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Memorial Hall is the only facility that exhibits "Sake brewing utensils of Nada" which are tangible cultural properties of Japan. It is a museum of Sake that tells you the secret of traditional sake brewing techniques of the Tanba region. You can also try tasting different kinds of sake here for free. There will be a guide to take you though the museum and present the history of a prestigious "Sake of Nada" brewer. Free.

Sawa-no-Tsuru Museum, +81 78-882-7788. 10:00-16:00, closed Wednesday. This museum is probably the best of the bunch, with an informative multi-level exhibit partly labelled in English, and a well-stocked gift shop Free entry and free sake.

Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, +81 78-822-8907. 09:30-16:30, closed M. This museum is inside a former brewery, and features traditional tools, dioramas and English-language videos to explain the sake-making processes. At the end, you can sample some sake, which is non-pasteurized, presumably because it doesn't have to travel far from the factory. Write your name on a piece of paper provided by the guard and return that at the end. Free entry, free sake.

Hamafukutsuru-Ginjo Brewery and Shop, +81 78-411-0492. 10:00-17:00, closed M. Reportedly, Hamafukutsuru offers factory tours, rather than just a museum

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Company, Kobe, Higashi Nada-ku Uozaki Nishimachi 1-9-1 (Approx. 10-minute walk south from Hanshin Uozaki Station; approx. 2-minute walk north from Rokko Liner Minami-Uozaki Station., +81 78-854-1029. 09:30-16:30 (Entry until 16:00). Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Memorial Hall is the only facility that exhibits "Sake brewing utensils of Nada" which are tangible cultural properties of Japan. It is a museum of Sake that tells you the secret of traditional sake brewing techniques of the Tanba region. You can also try tasting different kinds of sake here for free. There will be a guide to take you though the museum and present the history of a prestigious "Sake of Nada" brewer. Free.

• MOSAIC. Kobe’s playground. There are restaurants, bars, a movie theatre, a shopping market, an amusement arcade and a little amusement park. Harbour cruises are offered, some of which go as far as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

• Mt. Rokko (六甲山 Rokko-san) and its Rock Garden, the first an easy cable car trip for suitable romantic evenings, the second a light day's hiking with an excellent view. The view over the glittering expanse of Osaka Bay is canonized as one of the Three Great Night Views. The Mt. Rokko and adjacent Mt. Maya cable car routes close at 17:10, or 20:50 in the summer.
• Nunobiki Falls. Four waterfalls that empty into the Ikuta River. The largest is 43m high.

• Meriken Park. Located on the harborfront has a poignant memorial to the devastating Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, which killed 6,433 people.
• Fruit Flower Park, +81 78-954-1000. 10:00-18:00 (except on holidays). Surrounded by a lot of flowers and greenery. Many people hold their wedding ceremonies here every year. In spring, the park becomes even more beautiful as about 10,000 tulips bloom.
• Sōraku-en Garden, +81 78 351-4680. 09:30-16:30. A nice Japanese-style garden in the middle of the city. Very good value and a great attraction to see after going through the Ijinkan area. ¥300; ¥260 with discount coupon available from tourist information booths.

• Nunobiki Herb Garden, +81 78-271-1160. 10:00-17:00, or 20:30 in summer. 40-acre garden on Mount Rokko. It is accessible by the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, near Shin-Kobe station. It features over 200 varieties of herbs, as well as greenhouses, exhibitions, and a restaurant. Adults, including the round-trip ride on the Ropeway: ¥1,400, one-way ropeway: ¥900.
• Oji Zoo, +81 78-961-5624. 09:00-16:30 from March to October and 09:00-16:00 November–February. Besides animals, there is a mini amusement park with rides for young children Adults: ¥600; Children: ¥200.

Meriken Park. Located on the harborfront has a poignant memorial to the devastating Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, which killed 6,433 people.

Fruit Flower Park, +81 78-954-1000. 10:00-18:00 (except on holidays). Surrounded by a lot of flowers and greenery. Many people hold their wedding ceremonies here every year. In spring, the park becomes even more beautiful as about 10,000 tulips bloom.

Sōraku-en Garden, +81 78 351-4680. 09:30-16:30. A nice Japanese-style garden in the middle of the city. Very good value and a great attraction to see after going through the Ijinkan area. ¥300; ¥260 with discount coupon available from tourist information booths.

Nunobiki Herb Garden, +81 78-271-1160. 10:00-17:00, or 20:30 in summer. 40-acre garden on Mount Rokko. It is accessible by the Shin-Kobe Ropeway, near Shin-Kobe station. It features over 200 varieties of herbs, as well as greenhouses, exhibitions, and a restaurant. Adults, including the round-trip ride on the Ropeway: ¥1,400, one-way ropeway: ¥900.

Oji Zoo, +81 78-961-5624. 09:00-16:30 from March to October and 09:00-16:00 November–February. Besides animals, there is a mini amusement park with rides for young children Adults: ¥600; Children: ¥200.

• Kobe Luminaire, +81 78 303-0038. Early to mid-December, check the website for exact dates. Japan's best display of lights. Large, flamboyant light displays. The lights and the event itself have a deeper meaning: The luminaries began in 1995 after the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the city of Kobe. Each light is said to represent one life lost during in the earthquake.
• Kobe Collection. Fashion event popular with young women.
• Kobe Jazz Street. October. Famous Jazz event in Japan.

Kobe Luminaire, +81 78 303-0038. Early to mid-December, check the website for exact dates. Japan's best display of lights. Large, flamboyant light displays. The lights and the event itself have a deeper meaning: The luminaries began in 1995 after the Great Hanshin Earthquake devastated the city of Kobe. Each light is said to represent one life lost during in the earthquake.

Kobe Collection. Fashion event popular with young women.

Kobe Jazz Street. October. Famous Jazz event in Japan.

MOSAIC. Kobe’s playground. There are restaurants, bars, a movie theatre, a shopping market, an amusement arcade and a little amusement park. Harbour cruises are offered, some of which go as far as the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

Mt. Rokko (六甲山 Rokko-san) and its Rock Garden, the first an easy cable car trip for suitable romantic evenings, the second a light day's hiking with an excellent view. The view over the glittering expanse of Osaka Bay is canonized as one of the [[Japan's Top 3|Three Great Night Views]]. The Mt. Rokko and adjacent Mt. Maya cable car routes close at 17:10, or 20:50 in the summer.

Nunobiki Falls. Four waterfalls that empty into the Ikuta River. The largest is 43m high.

Kōbe's shopping is clustered around the Sannomiya train station and the Center-Gai shopping arcade leading off from it. Many of the unassuming little cafes and specialty shops in the arcade in fact have histories tracing back well over a hundred years.

Piazza Kōbe (ピアザ神戸) and Motokō Town (モトコータウン) are the two names of essentially one long arcade where all manner of second-hand goods are sold. These stores are underneath the JR lines, running from Sannomiya station, past Motomachi Station, to Kōbe Station. Motoko sells a variety of things such as books, clothes, shoes, accessories, knives, lighters, toys...... You can get heaps of things.

• Harbor Land (adjacent to Kobe station). This is a modern shopping and dining area, developed on the edge of the Kobe Bay.

• Junkudo (7th floor of the big DAIEI building in front of Sannomiya station and 5th floor of JR Sumiyoshi station). +81 78-252-0777. Open daily 10:00-21:00. Huge bookstore with big selection of English books and magazines.

Junkudo (7th floor of the big DAIEI building in front of Sannomiya station and 5th floor of JR Sumiyoshi station). +81 78-252-0777. Open daily 10:00-21:00. Huge bookstore with big selection of English books and magazines.

Harbor Land (adjacent to Kobe station). This is a modern shopping and dining area, developed on the edge of the Kobe Bay.

Kobe has many restaurants offering international cuisine.

Kōbe is known worldwide for its Kobe beef, exquisitely marbled, very fatty and very expensive beef. Recommended for a splurge, but expect to pay close to ¥10,000 per 100 grams. At the opposite end of the culinary spectrum is sobameshi (そば飯), a concoction of fried rice and noodles mixed together, which is cheap, filling and pretty much unique to Kobe.

Cheap eats can be found in Kōbe's Chinatown (Nankinmachi in Japanese), walking distance from Sannomiya station.

• Gaen Shuga Chinese Restaurant, 2-8-7 Sakaemachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0023 (Head west from the main square in Chinatown and turn left at the first street and Gaen will be on the left next to Kung Lung (the big Bruce Lee), +81 78 331-8828. 11:30-15:00, 17:00-21:30. Delicious Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine prepared by genuine Chinese chefs. An English menu is available. You can get a dish such as fried rice for under ¥1,000 or a set menu with several dishes including soup and dessert for slightly more. You can also ask the proprietor to prepare a special banquet menu for you that includes delicacies like shark's fin soup and fresh abalone.
• Minsei Chinese Restaurant, 1-3-3 Motomachidori, Chuoku, +81 78-331-5435.
• Modern Ark Pharm Cafe, 3 Chome-11-15 Kitanagasadōri (South of Sannomiya station, +81 78-391-3060. 11:30-22:00. A vegetarian organic cafe that also serves alcohol and desserts.
• Naruto Taiyaki Hhonpo Hankyu Sannomiyaekimae, 1-9-5 Kitanagasakidori (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-321-5520. A cramped and popular taiyaki shop. Serves 2 varieties of taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake: sweet potato and red bean paste. ¥160-180.
• Pizza Kitchen, 1-12-4 Nakayamate-dori (at the intersection with Kitano-zaka, just north of Sannomiya station, +81 78-333-0350. Free WiFi for customers. Beer: ¥600; Pizza: ¥1,000.
• Ryukaso, 1-4-8 Motomachidori, Chuo-Ku, +81 78-391-7728. Chinese restaurant. Try the chicken.

Gaen Shuga Chinese Restaurant, 2-8-7 Sakaemachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo 650-0023 (Head west from the main square in Chinatown and turn left at the first street and Gaen will be on the left next to Kung Lung (the big Bruce Lee), +81 78 331-8828. 11:30-15:00, 17:00-21:30. Delicious Cantonese and Hong Kong cuisine prepared by genuine Chinese chefs. An English menu is available. You can get a dish such as fried rice for under ¥1,000 or a set menu with several dishes including soup and dessert for slightly more. You can also ask the proprietor to prepare a special banquet menu for you that includes delicacies like shark's fin soup and fresh abalone.

Minsei Chinese Restaurant, 1-3-3 Motomachidori, Chuoku, +81 78-331-5435.

Modern Ark Pharm Cafe, 3 Chome-11-15 Kitanagasadōri (South of Sannomiya station, +81 78-391-3060. 11:30-22:00. A vegetarian organic cafe that also serves alcohol and desserts.

Naruto Taiyaki Hhonpo Hankyu Sannomiyaekimae, 1-9-5 Kitanagasakidori (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-321-5520. A cramped and popular taiyaki shop. Serves 2 varieties of taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake: sweet potato and red bean paste. ¥160-180.

Pizza Kitchen, 1-12-4 Nakayamate-dori (at the intersection with Kitano-zaka, just north of Sannomiya station, +81 78-333-0350. Free WiFi for customers. Beer: ¥600; Pizza: ¥1,000.

Ryukaso, 1-4-8 Motomachidori, Chuo-Ku, +81 78-391-7728. Chinese restaurant. Try the chicken.

• Grill Ippei, Several branches near Sannomiya station, Motomachi station, and elsewhere. >Specializes in yōshoku, or Japanized Western dishes. Specialities include Ebi furai (breaded shrimp), kaki furai (breaded oyster), hamburger steaks and tonkatsu (pork cutlets).
• Sky Buffet, 5-1-14 Hamabedori, Chuo-Ku (Just east of Higashiyuenchi Park and Flower Road, near the highway in a tall building, +81 78-252-7570. At 24 floors up, the view is quite impressive, especially at night. Go for the view, not the food.
• Sona Rupa, 3F Lighthouse, 2-2-9 Shimoyamatedori (adjacent to the Kobe Sauna building, opposite the bee's hotel and Don Quijote shopping store in Sannomiya, +81 78-322-0252. 11:00-21:00. Possibly the best Indian restaurant in the Kansai region. The chef is famous for his creations and often recommends what dishes to order for first timers. Set lunch and dinner menus are available along with an ala-carte menu. The restaurant holds several food festivals, notably in summer (June - August) and in Christmas. Reservations strongly required, as seating is limited and the restaurant gets packed during lunch and dinner times. ¥1,800-5,000/person.
• Torikizoku, 3 locations: near the Hankyu station, near the shrine, and just down the street from the Haagen-datz near the concrete statue park. 17:00 or 18:00 to late. Torikizoku is the most popular yakitori chain in Kansai. The Yakitori is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 7:30PM to secure seats. As the drinks are cheap it's also popular for drinking with snacks on the side. Look for the distinctive yellow and red sign with the chicken and 鳥貴族 All food/drink ¥300 each.

Grill Ippei, Several branches near Sannomiya station, Motomachi station, and elsewhere. >Specializes in yōshoku, or Japanized Western dishes. Specialities include Ebi furai (breaded shrimp), kaki furai (breaded oyster), hamburger steaks and tonkatsu (pork cutlets).

Sky Buffet, 5-1-14 Hamabedori, Chuo-Ku (Just east of Higashiyuenchi Park and Flower Road, near the highway in a tall building, +81 78-252-7570. At 24 floors up, the view is quite impressive, especially at night. Go for the view, not the food.

Sona Rupa, 3F Lighthouse, 2-2-9 Shimoyamatedori (adjacent to the Kobe Sauna building, opposite the bee's hotel and Don Quijote shopping store in Sannomiya, +81 78-322-0252. 11:00-21:00. Possibly the best Indian restaurant in the Kansai region. The chef is famous for his creations and often recommends what dishes to order for first timers. Set lunch and dinner menus are available along with an ala-carte menu. The restaurant holds several food festivals, notably in summer (June - August) and in Christmas. Reservations strongly required, as seating is limited and the restaurant gets packed during lunch and dinner times. ¥1,800-5,000/person.

Torikizoku, 3 locations: near the Hankyu station, near the shrine, and just down the street from the Haagen-datz near the concrete statue park. 17:00 or 18:00 to late. Torikizoku is the most popular yakitori chain in Kansai. The Yakitori is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 7:30PM to secure seats. As the drinks are cheap it's also popular for drinking with snacks on the side. Look for the distinctive yellow and red sign with the chicken and 鳥貴族 All food/drink ¥300 each.

• Cafe Terrasse de Paris, 4-9-2 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, +81 78-252-1113. A French restaurant with a romantic view.
• Kobe Beef Steak Ishida Kitanozaka, 4-7-11 Kanocho Chuo-Ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-599-5029. Rated one of the best places for Kobe beef. From ¥11,000.
• Kobe Portopia Hotel Restaurants, 10-1, 6 Chome, Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, +81 78-302-1111. There are several restaurants in the Kobe Portopia Hotel, some with high floor views.
• Kokubu, 1-21-2 Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-321-1717. One of the top Kobe beef steakhouses.
• Medium Rare Steakhouse @ Oriental Hotel, 25 Kyomachi, Chuo-ku (a 10-minute walk from Kobe-Sannomiya Station, +81 78-326-1577. Lunch 11:30-14:30; dinner 17:30-22:00. Great Kobe Beef, Hida Beef, Hamburg Steak, Abalone, and Fresh Japanese Tiger Prawns. All perfectly cooked right in front of you on Teppan grills to your liking. Lunch courses starting from ¥2,500.
• Mouriya, Daiichi Kishi Bldg. 3F, 9-9 1-chome, Kitanagasa Dori, Chuo-ku, +81 78-321-1990. One of the most famous houses serving Kobe beef. The slightly reduced lunch specials are worth checking out. Must make reservations. ¥9,000-20,000.
• Sushidai, 1-9-2 Mozan-Biru 1F (Sannomiya, +81 78-599-5509. 18:00-05:00. Definitely is the best place to enjoy sushi! With a cozy atmosphere, Japanese-style music and design, will make you feel comfortable and of course, fill your hungry stomach with fresh seafood, sashimi and sushi by Chef Nakanishi Shinsuke. Black-hair beef here is worth a try, too. The service is friendly and the kitchen is delightfully quick. Good drinks menu; try the ginger ale, Asahi beer, and wine. ¥7,000-9,000/person.
• Wakkoqu @ Shin-Kobe, 1-1 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku (At Shin-Kobe Station, +81 78-262-2838. Kobe beef prepared right in front of you.

Cafe Terrasse de Paris, 4-9-2 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, +81 78-252-1113. A French restaurant with a romantic view.

Kobe Beef Steak Ishida Kitanozaka, 4-7-11 Kanocho Chuo-Ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-599-5029. Rated one of the best places for Kobe beef. From ¥11,000.

Kobe Portopia Hotel Restaurants, 10-1, 6 Chome, Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku, +81 78-302-1111. There are several restaurants in the Kobe Portopia Hotel, some with high floor views.

Kokubu, 1-21-2 Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-321-1717. One of the top Kobe beef steakhouses.

Medium Rare Steakhouse @ Oriental Hotel, 25 Kyomachi, Chuo-ku (a 10-minute walk from Kobe-Sannomiya Station, +81 78-326-1577. Lunch 11:30-14:30; dinner 17:30-22:00. Great Kobe Beef, Hida Beef, Hamburg Steak, Abalone, and Fresh Japanese Tiger Prawns. All perfectly cooked right in front of you on Teppan grills to your liking. Lunch courses starting from ¥2,500.

Mouriya, Daiichi Kishi Bldg. 3F, 9-9 1-chome, Kitanagasa Dori, Chuo-ku, +81 78-321-1990. One of the most famous houses serving Kobe beef. The slightly reduced lunch specials are worth checking out. Must make reservations. ¥9,000-20,000.

Sushidai, 1-9-2 Mozan-Biru 1F (Sannomiya, +81 78-599-5509. 18:00-05:00. Definitely is the best place to enjoy sushi! With a cozy atmosphere, Japanese-style music and design, will make you feel comfortable and of course, fill your hungry stomach with fresh seafood, sashimi and sushi by Chef Nakanishi Shinsuke. Black-hair beef here is worth a try, too. The service is friendly and the kitchen is delightfully quick. Good drinks menu; try the ginger ale, Asahi beer, and wine. ¥7,000-9,000/person.

Wakkoqu @ Shin-Kobe, 1-1 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku (At Shin-Kobe Station, +81 78-262-2838. Kobe beef prepared right in front of you.

Kobe's specialty are tachinomiya, literally stand-and-drink bars.

• Chicken George. One of the most famous places with live music in Japan.
• Hub. A basement location of the British pub chain. Happy hour discount cocktails 17:00-19:00.
• Iznt, 4F1-1-8 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku (5-minute walk from Sannomiya Station on Higashi-mon gai, +81 78-334-3040. M-Th 17:00-01:00; F Sa: 17:00-late. One of the most popular international bars near Sannomiya Station. Hosts various events including salsa nights and live music on weekends. Weekday food and drink deals. Smoke-free. Drinks: ¥500-700; ¥300 during happy hour.
• New Muenchen Kobe Taishikan, Sannomiya-cho, 2-chome, 5-18 (on Ikuta Road a block south of Center-Gai, about 3 blocks south of the JR tracks, under 10 min. by foot from either Hankyu, Hanshin, or JR Sannomiya station, +81 78-391-3656. 11:00-23:00. Serves seasonal brews and dishes as well as the timeless favorites of German and Japanese beer halls. Bar service on ground floor, table service on higher floors. Capacity 540. Beer: ¥550-950; Food: ¥750-1,500.
• Sone, 1-24-10 Nakayamate-dori (in Kitano just north of Sannomiya station, +81 78-221-2055. An excellent place to relax with a drink, Sone also happens to be one of the best jazz clubs in Kansai. You will have to pay a cover charge on a night with big names performing.
• The Rock, FPB Bldg.2F, 3-5-6 Kanou-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 〒650-0001 (8 minutes away from Sannomiya Station on foot, +81 078-393-2111. M-Th 17:00-01:00; F Sa 17:00-03:00. An Aussie Bar and Grill popular with expats and locals alike. Shisha can also be provided. Drinks: ¥500-800; Food: ¥600-1500.

Chicken George. One of the most famous places with live music in Japan.

Hub. A basement location of the British pub chain. Happy hour discount cocktails 17:00-19:00.

Iznt, 4F1-1-8 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku (5-minute walk from Sannomiya Station on Higashi-mon gai, +81 78-334-3040. M-Th 17:00-01:00; F Sa: 17:00-late. One of the most popular international bars near Sannomiya Station. Hosts various events including salsa nights and live music on weekends. Weekday food and drink deals. Smoke-free. Drinks: ¥500-700; ¥300 during happy hour.

New Muenchen Kobe Taishikan, Sannomiya-cho, 2-chome, 5-18 (on Ikuta Road a block south of Center-Gai, about 3 blocks south of the JR tracks, under 10 min. by foot from either Hankyu, Hanshin, or JR Sannomiya station, +81 78-391-3656. 11:00-23:00. Serves seasonal brews and dishes as well as the timeless favorites of German and Japanese beer halls. Bar service on ground floor, table service on higher floors. Capacity 540. Beer: ¥550-950; Food: ¥750-1,500.

Sone, 1-24-10 Nakayamate-dori (in Kitano just north of Sannomiya station, +81 78-221-2055. An excellent place to relax with a drink, Sone also happens to be one of the best jazz clubs in Kansai. You will have to pay a cover charge on a night with big names performing.

The Rock, FPB Bldg.2F, 3-5-6 Kanou-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 〒650-0001 (8 minutes away from Sannomiya Station on foot, +81 078-393-2111. M-Th 17:00-01:00; F Sa 17:00-03:00. An Aussie Bar and Grill popular with expats and locals alike. Shisha can also be provided. Drinks: ¥500-800; Food: ¥600-1500.

• Cafe Freundlieb, 4-6-15 Ikutacho, Chuo-ku (Between Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya Stations, +81 78-231-6051. A cafe in a former church.

Cafe Freundlieb, 4-6-15 Ikutacho, Chuo-ku (Between Shin-Kobe and Sannomiya Stations, +81 78-231-6051. A cafe in a former church.

• Larus Kobe, 1-5-1 Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-391-2016.

Larus Kobe, 1-5-1 Kitanagasadori, Chuo-ku (Near Sannomiya Station, +81 78-391-2016.

• Arima Onsen is a hot-spring town just north of Kobe on the other side of Mt. Rokko.
• Nishinomiya is between Kobe and Osaka, Mount Kabutoyama makes a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
• Takarazuka is famous for its all-female musical theatre troupe, the Takarazuka Revue.
• Osaka has more shopping and nightlife and a beautiful restored castle.
• Kyoto is the true cultural capital of Japan.
• Awaji Island connects to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, 10 km far to the West. (10 minutes by train.)
• Kakogawa, 20 minutes away, is a bridge into history, culture and the outdoors.
• Himeji is a nice city with Japan's most beautiful well-preserved castle, a 30 minute train ride away.
• Okayama is a beautiful city, home to one of the top three gardens in Japan and the birthplace of the famous Momotaro tale
• Kurashiki is a charming stroll through old Japan, lined with local shops and museums
• Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa prefecture known as the Udon Kingdom. It has Ritsurin-park and Yashima.
• Suma is a beach just a few minutes from Kobe on the subway. The beach is right outside Suma station and is a lively place full of DJs and restaurants.

[[Nishinomiya]] is between Kobe and [[Osaka]], Mount Kabutoyama makes a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

[[Takarazuka]] is famous for its all-female musical theatre troupe, the Takarazuka Revue.

[[Awaji Island]] connects to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge, 10 km far to the West. (10 minutes by train.)

[[Okayama]] is a beautiful city, home to one of the [[Japan's Top 3|top three gardens]] in Japan and the birthplace of the famous Momotaro tale

[[Takamatsu]] is the capital of [[Kagawa]] prefecture known as the Udon Kingdom. It has [[Takamatsu #see|Ritsurin-park]] and [[Takamatsu #see|Yashima]].