Free Kobe tour

10:00 AM – Kitano Ijinkan-Gai (Foreign Residences District)

Explore the charming hillside district filled with 19th-century Western-style houses.

Visit a few famous ones like the Weathercock House or Uroko House.

Great spot for photography and learning about Kobe's international heritage.

Travel: 10-min walk or short ride from Sannomiya Station.

11:30 AM – Nunobiki Ropeway & Herb Garden

Take the ropeway from Shin-Kobe Station up Mount Rokko.

Walk through the herb garden and enjoy panoramic views of Kobe and the harbor.

Optional: Light herbal lunch or snacks at the café at the summit.

Time to spend: 1.5–2 hours

Travel: Ropeway is ~5 mins from Kitano on foot.

1:30 PM – Nankin-machi (Kobe Chinatown) & Lunch

Head back down and go to Kobe’s vibrant Chinatown.

Try butaman (pork buns), Chinese dumplings, or a casual sit-down lunch.

Visit some unique shops or snack vendors.

Travel: 10 mins by subway or 20 mins walk.

3:00 PM – Meriken Park & Kobe Port Tower

Stroll along the waterfront and visit Kobe Port Tower’s observation deck.

Optional: Visit the Kobe Maritime Museum or Earthquake Memorial Park.

4:30 PM – Kobe Harborland

Browse shops or grab coffee/dessert at Mosaic shopping area.

Relax by the waterfront before dinner.

Great spot for evening photos with the Ferris wheel and harbor lights.

6:00 PM – Kobe Beef Dinner

Book a table at a famous restaurant like:

Mouriya Honten

Steakland Kobe

Wakkoqu

Enjoy premium Kobe beef in the city where it was born.

8:00 PM – Optional Night View or Onsen

Options:

Mount Rokko night view (30–40 min from city center, stunning panoramic view).

Arima Onsen (If you want to relax with hot springs, though it’s ~45 mins away by train/bus).