Temple

Minatogawa Shrine (Minatogawa-jinja) is a Shinto shrine near Kobe Station, dedicated to the samurai Kusunoki Masashige, who is considered a symbol of loyalty and devotion in Japan. Compared to the busy tourist spots in the harbour, the atmosphere is quieter and the shrine feels more like a place frequented by locals than tourists. Read also: 👉 O ur tips on where to stay in Kobe Is Minatogawa Shrine worth a visit? The short answer: yes,…

Temple

Ikuta-jinja is one of the oldest and most important Shinto shrines in Kobe - it was founded in the 3rd century AD. It's just a few minutes' walk from the bustling Sannomiya district, but inside the grounds there's a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere with a forest, paths and several smaller shrines. Although it's Kobe's most famous historical landmark, it's incomparably less crowded than more famous cities. Read also: 👉 O ur tips on where to…

City Quarter, Historic building, Lookout

Kitano is a historic district on a hillside above downtown Kobe, best known for its well-preserved late 19th-century houses of Western merchants and diplomats. Unlike most Japanese cities, you'll see European architecture, cafes in old villas and a quieter atmosphere than in the bustling city centre, the harbour or even the nearby cities of Kyoto or Osaka. Read also: 👉 O ur tips on where to stay in Kobe Is Kitano worth a visit? Short…

Lookout, Cable car, Mountain, Temple

Mount Maya (698 m above sea level) is, in my opinion, the best vantage point over Kobe and together with Mount Rokko it is one of the places from where you can see the whole city, the harbour and Osaka Bay. The view from the top of Kikuseidai is considered one of the best night views in all of Japan and I just have to agree! Read also: 👉 O ur tips on where to stay in Kobe 👉 The best views in Kobe Is Mount Maya worth a visit? Short…