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Road trip from Osaka · About 40 min by car
Kobe
Kobe is Osaka's stylish harbour neighbour, squeezed between the mountains and the sea. In one easy day you can walk the waterfront at Meriken Park, climb the red Kobe Port Tower, snack your way through Nankinmachi (Chinatown) and wander the old Western merchants' houses of Kitano on the hillside.
It is the closest of these trips and the most forgiving for a first drive in Japan: expressway almost door to door and plenty of multi-storey and coin car parks. Park once near the harbour and walk or take a short taxi up the hill to Kitano.
Where to go
1Kobe Port Tower & Meriken Park 神戸ポートタワー / メリケンパークThe 108 m red lattice tower, reopened in 2024 after renovation, with a rooftop deck over the harbour. Meriken Park around it is free and open 24 hours, with the 'BE KOBE' sign and sea views.1–1.5 hr · Tower: adult ¥1,000 (¥1,200 with rooftop); child ¥400 (¥500 with rooftop). Park free.Map ↗
2Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown) 南京町Two short crossing streets packed with food stalls selling steamed pork buns, dumplings and other Chinese snacks to eat as you walk.1 hr · Free to walkMap ↗
3Kitano Ijinkan (Weathercock House) 北野異人館 風見鶏の館Hillside district of preserved houses built by foreign traders after the port opened. The red-brick Weathercock House is the best known.1.5–2 hr · Weathercock House adult ¥500 (high school and under free); combined ticket with Moegi House ¥650Map ↗
4Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway 神戸布引ハーブ園 / ロープウェイRopeway from near Shin-Kobe Station up to hillside herb gardens with a wide view over the city and bay. The fare includes garden entry.1.5–2 hr · Round trip adult ¥2,500, child ¥1,250 (from 17:00: ¥1,500 / ¥750); special fares in the Christmas seasonMap ↗
5Kobe Anpanman Children's Museum & Mall 神戸アンパンマンこどもミュージアム&モールHands-on museum and shops themed on Japan's favourite children's cartoon hero, in the Harborland waterfront area.1.5–2 hr · Ticket price varies by date; check the official siteMap ↗
A day there
- 9:30Leave south Osaka; about 40 minutes to the Kyobashi exit
- 10:15Park at Meriken Park; walk the waterfront and go up Kobe Port Tower
- 12:00Walk 10 minutes to Nankinmachi for a street-food lunch
- 13:30Taxi or 15-minute uphill walk to Kitano; visit the Weathercock House
- 16:00Back to Harborland for shopping, or the Anpanman museum with small children
- 18:00Harbour lights at dusk, then drive home
What to eat
Steamed pork buns, dumplings and other Chinese street snacksNankinmachi (Chinatown), Motomachi
Kobe beef (teppanyaki or steak)Sannomiya and Motomachi districts
Western-style cake and coffeeKitano hillside cafés
With kids
Harborland's Anpanman museum is a hit with toddlers, and children ride the Port Tower at a reduced fare. Under-18s get into the Weathercock House free.
Good to know
- Weekend daily caps near the harbour are much higher than on weekdays, so a weekday visit saves on parking.
- Kitano has no parking at the houses and very steep, narrow lanes. Leave the car at the harbour and walk or take a taxi up.
- Chinatown restaurants often close for a break from 15:00 to 17:00, so eat lunch before 15:00.