When one mentions Kobe, the first that comes to mind is Wagyu beef (its marbled fat, melted during cooking, produces a soft texture and succulent flavor) and the namesake of the late basketball legend.
Kobe’s reputation, however, extends far beyond the prized Wagyu cattle that put the city on the global map. Kobe offers the pleasures of Japan in miniature, with maritime promenades, hillside greenery, memorable meals, and a sense of calm that makes it less crowded than many major tourist destinations. For curious travelers who want something familiar but different, this vibrant port city, nestled between the mountains and the sea, rewards slow walking, experimental dining, and quick escapes into nature, all in one easy city package.
A visit to its scenic waterfront area, notably in Meriken Park (the park’s name was derived from the word ‘American,’ which was commonly translated as ‘Meriken’ during the Meiji era), is a must. Built on an outcropping of reclaimed land, this waterfront park, a popular spot for locals and tourists, is covered in grassy lawn and open courtyards and is dotted with a collection of modern art installations and structures including the Bell of Hortensia (a colorful, modern mosaic sculpture representing Kobe’s official flower), the Kobe Maritime Museum (featuring a roof design similar to a sailing ship, it focuses on the history of Japanese shipping and Kobe Harbor), the 108-meter (354-foot) high Kobe Port Tower, a unique, red-painted steel structure designed to look like a tsuzumi, a Japanese drum), and the famous Kobe Port Emigrants Memorial Statue (honors the thousands of Japanese citizens who emigrated from Kobe Port, for new lives abroad, particularly to Brazil, in the early 20th century).
Another scenic oceanside city park is the 7.8-hectare Hyogo Prefectural Maiko Park (see main photo), the gateway for the 3,911-meter-long Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, the world’s largest suspension bridge, which also boasts the world’s longest central span at 1,991 meters. Aside from sea and bridge views, there are also plenty of things to do and see at the park such as large grassy areas, a 1,500-pine forest; the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Exhibition Center (displays showing the history of what is the world’s longest suspension bridge) and historic houses such as the former residence of Sanji Muto (a Western-style seaside cottage built in 1907), the iconic Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (Ijokaku), built in 1915 by Wu Jintang; and the former Japanese residence of the Kinoshita Family, an early modern Japanese home built in 1941 in the tea ceremony arbor (sukiyazukuri) style.
Another must-see in Kobe is the wonderful, ancient and serene Ikuta Shrine (Ikuta-jinja), a major Shinto shrine believed to be one of the oldest in Japan. Dotted around the spacious grounds of Ikuta Jinja are 14 sub-shrines, each dedicated to a different god; impressive buildings, a striking, continuous series of 22 vermilion-lacquered torii gates, and, at its rear, you can find a remnant of the ancient forest that once covered the entire area. The shrine is also famous as a ‘power spot’ dedicated to matchmaking, love, relationships, and good fortune. At Kinryusen, a popular spot in the forest, you can have your fortune read by water.
Near the park is the lively and vibrant Higashimon (‘east gate’) Street, so called because the area surrounds the east gate of Ikuta Shrine. This area is known for its array of restaurants (where you can indulge in high-quality, melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef), izakayas (informal Japanese pubs) and hidden bars that open mainly at night.
For a different kind of green escape, try the Nunobiki Herb Garden, a big 40-acre botanical herb garden (Japan’s largest), built in 1991, with themed areas growing over 75,000 herbs (200 varieties) and flowers blooming year-round. The 10-min. long scenic cable car ride to Nunobiki Herb Garden features sweeping panoramic views of the Kobe city skyline, the 43-meter tall Nunobiki Falls, the surrounding 931-meter high Rokko Mountain Range, the Seto Inland Sea, and previews of the gardens below.
The gorgeous Welcome Garden (View Plaza) is surrounded by a castle gate and the View Rest House, which is modeled after the ancient Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany. It has a large gift shop (offering herbal products, essential oils, herb-themed everyday utility items and souvenirs) and a dining option (The Herb Dining) plus access to sweeping outdoor terraces where you can enjoy your meals. There were a few stalls selling burgers, tarts, drinks and soft serve ice cream.
Nearby is the Mori no Hall, a small, wooden concert hall with great acoustics and a popular venue for concerts and recitals. At its Fragrance Museum, the historical aspects of fragrance are displayed and explained. Here, you can experience the scent of different natural essential oils.
Instead of taking the cable car all the way back to the Bottom Station, you can walk downhill from the summit, all the way to Kaze no Oka Mid Station, passing through twisting pathways and its 12 distinct, extensive, seasonally themed areas while enjoying aromatic and scenic views. The Glass House, along the way, features a spice museum, a herbal foot bath (behind the Glass House), café lounge, terraced restaurant (The Veranda, offering herb-infused treats), and tropical, fragrant, and citrus-themed plants, including a special, illuminated ‘rose garden.’