Kobe is not a city where you run from one monument to another. Most of the activities revolve around food, views, walking, shopping and a quieter atmosphere.

This is the reason why many visitors stay here for more than just a day trip.

Personally, I was impressed by Kobe and definitely don't see it as just a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.

The 10 best hotels in Kobe

Taste the real Kobe beef

Kobe is known around the world for its beef. Kobe beefwhich is one of the most expensive and sought-after beef in the world.

The city has a large number of restaurants specialising in this type of meat, from upmarket establishments to more affordable lunch menus.

If you want to try Kobe beef, it's worth it:

• reserve a table in advance, especially in the evening.
• compare menu prices, the differences can be big
• consider lunch, which is often significantly cheaper than dinner

Restaurants can be found literally on every corner in the centre.

• 👉 Read also: prices and card payments in Japan

I'd recommend using Google Maps a few days in advance to pick a few restaurants near your hotel or places you want to see and possibly try to make a reservation based on the reviews of each restaurant.

A city of great sights

One of the best activities in Kobe is a trip to the city's viewpoints. I love the views and maybe that's why I've grown so fond of Kobe.

• Mount Rokko - a larger area with views and walks
• Mount Maya - one of the best night views in Japan
• Nunobiki Herb Gardens - a combination of cable car, gardens and views

Most visitors just pick one of these places - I liked Mount Maya the best, where in addition to the views and hiking, there is also the Tenjo-ji Buddhist temple.

• 👉 Read also.

Ropeways lead to all the viewpoints, which is a tourist attraction in itself!

If you don't have time to look out over the city in Kobe, you can head to the historic Kitano district just about a 15-minute walk from the shinkansen station, which also offers beautiful views of the city.

And the most famous sight is, of course, the iconic red Kobe Port Tower.

Take a stroll around the harbour and Harborland

The waterfront around Meriken Park, Kobe Port Tower and Harborland are some of the most enjoyable places in Kobe for an evening, as well as a daytime stroll.

Restaurants, illuminated buildings and views of the harbour create an atmosphere that is quite different from the daytime.

The best part is arriving shortly before sunset and staying until dark.

• 👉 Read also: Our tips on where to stay in Kobe

Shopping and cafes in Motomachi and Sannomiya

If you want to spend time in the city without a specific plan, the Motomachi and Sannomiya area is perfect for:

• Cafes
• smaller shops
• evening strolls

The atmosphere is quieter than in Osaka, but just as lively.

Both the Sannomiya and Motomachi areas are known for their arcaded streets-pedestrianised areas with shops and restaurants, plus great access from train stations.

Hiking in the mountains

One of the most interesting things about Kobe is how quickly you can get into the countryside. Within half an hour's walk from the station you can be at waterfalls or in the mountains.

Kobe is a great destination for short trips that only take an hour or two, but also for day hikes in the hills.

Personally, I use maps.com to plan my hiking routes, which work quite well in Kobe.

The hiking trails are well marked and you can find trail maps in many places.

Where did I go hiking?

• Mount Maya and Mount Rokko area - you can easily combine them in a day hike through Rokkosan Pasture
• The area north of Nunabiki Herb Gardens - take the cable car up and choose one of the many hiking trails
• Hotel tip: stay at the highly rated RENEST pet farm **** in the middle of the mountains

I definitely recommend sturdy hiking shoes and comfortable clothes for trekking in the mountains.

If you don't have all day, the ideal 1-2 hour hike is from the Shin-Kobe shinkansen station to Nunobiki Falls.

Beaches and swimming

Kobe is the best urban beach destination in the Kansai area and a very popular summer destination for day trips from Osaka or Kyoto to the sea.

Beautiful sandy beaches with a pedestrian promenade can be found in the southern part of Kobe called Suma.

The place is very accessible by train from the centre, but also from Osaka or Himeji.

The local beaches are especially good for walking or sunbathing. The water is not as clean as in other places in Japan, but it is protected by breakwaters, so swimming here is safe even for children.

On summer weekends there are usually crowds of people.