Full-day tour with Kobe beef lunch and highlights of Kobe

Overview

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Emi Matsuda

HYOGO

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Route

1. 1

   Kobe Herb Garden

   One of the largest herb gardens in Japan with herbs and flowers in full bloom is located at the summit station, about 10 minutes by the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway. The 12 gardens, divided by theme, are filled with 75,000 seasonal flowers and herbs of about 200 varieties. Visitors can take a stroll and relax in the herb footbath. From the top of the mountain, on a clear day, one enjoys a magnificent view that extends as far as Osaka Bay.

2. 2

   Takenaka carpentry tools museum

   Carpentry tools have a grim fate: the better quality they are, the more they are used until they wear out and disappear. In addition, with the rapid growth of postwar Japan, mechanical lumbering and electric tools became widespread, and today, along with the development of technology, the number of craftsmen using hand tools is rapidly decreasing. The Takenaka Carpenter's Tools Museum was established in Nakayamate, Kobe in 1984 as Japan's only museum of carpenter's tools, with the aim of collecting and preserving these vanishing tools as national heritage and passing them on to future generations through further research and exhibitions. The museum is filled with the fragrance of Japanese cypress, and visitors can learn about the structure and history of this wonderful Japanese architecture.

3. 3

   Meriken Park

   The landmark Kobe Port Tower, the Kobe Maritime Museum, and other symbolic buildings attract visitors to this seaside spot. Visitors can enjoy a taste of "port city Kobe" by shopping at the adjacent Harbor Land or taking a cruise on the sea under the refreshing sea breeze.

4. 4

   Cruise in Kobe port

   Enjoy an easy 40-45 minute harbor cruise around the Port of Kobe. From the Sky Deck, you can enjoy a 360° view of the construction of submarines and large ships, as well as the city of Kobe with Mount Rokko in the background. If the view is good, you can also see Awaji Island and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

5. 5

   Shopping in foreign Settlement area

   A foreign settlement (gaikokujin kyoryuchi) is a certain area specifically designated by the government as a settlement and trading area for foreigners. It remained in existence until 1899, when it was abolished due to a treaty amendment. The area is lined with beautiful Western-style buildings with Japanese elements, designed by Japanese architects immediately after the opening of Japan to the outside world, and is a great place to shop for high-brand goods.

6. 6

   Hyogo prefectural Museum of Art by Tadao Ando

   Designed by Tadao Ando, it is also a symbolic building of Kobe's reconstruction. Please enjoy the magic of light and shadow to the fullest. You can also enjoy the green apple object, the symbol of Tadao Ando.

7. 7

   Mt. Rokko

   The highlight is the view from Mt. You can also enjoy the wonderful eco-friendly architecture of Hiroshi Sanbunichi, famous for his work on Naoshima, an island of art in the Seto Inland Sea. The night view from the top of the mountain is the best in Japan. The wonderful view with a delicious dinner.

8. 8

   Soraku-en Garden

   Sorakuen Garden was built in the house of a former Hyogo Prefectural Assembly member and completed at the end of the Meiji period. It later became the property of Kobe City and is open to the public. The Japanese garden, with its ponds, stepping stones, and stone bridges, is also home to a 500-plus-year-old giant camphor tree, azaleas in full bloom in spring, and magnificent autumn foliage. The stately main gate and the impressive European-style architecture of the former family stables, the boathouse, and the former Hassam residence (all Important Cultural Properties), as well as the tea ceremony house, are in harmony with the garden scenery.

9. 9

   Kobe beef restaurant

   Kobe is the place to be for Kobe Beef. Enjoy a beef lunch cooked in front of your eyes in the authentic Kobe.

10. 10

    Nunobiki water falls

    Nunobiki-no-Taki Falls, which spans the middle reaches of the Ikuta River on the mountain side of Shin-Kobe Station, is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan. This time, first thing in the morning, we will walk about 5 minutes north from Shin-Kobe Station to the nearest female waterfall to feel refreshed.

Meeting point

Shin_Kobe station

Your guide meet you at Shin_Kobe station where the Bullet train stops.

Things to know