Visitor’s Guide to Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka

Kobe, Japan

©KOBE TOURISM BUREAU

Kobe is a beautiful port city in western Japan with a population of 1.5 million, located less than an hour by train from Osaka and Kyoto.

Kobe opened as Japan’s first international trading port in 1868, and since then has developed into an international city that has adopted Western customs and culture.

The downtown area stretches approximately 2 km from north to south, between the sea and the mountains. Within this area, there are beautifully landscaped waterfront areas such as Meriken Park & Harbor Land, the Kitano area with its European-style houses, and Nankinmachi Chinatown, and many shopping and dining spots.

A short distance away, you can enjoy the rich nature of Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya, Japan’s largest sake production area (Nada Gogo), and one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan (Arima Onsen). And of course, don’t forget to try the world-famous Kobe Beef!

Osaka –Just 13 mins away from Kobe

Osaka is Japan’s second city. As well as the central business hub in western Japan, Osaka has been at the heart of Japan’s cultural and economical development for hundreds of years. With relics from the city’s past still standing, Osaka is a city where you can truly feel Japan’s history.

Osaka has taken center stage as the city with the friendliest and funniest people in Japan. With a perfect mix of traditional and popular culture, a stay in Osaka will provide you with unforgettable memories that will keep you smiling on.

Traveling to Kobe from Shin-Osaka

The shinkansen bullet train travels between Shin-Osaka Station and Shin-Kobe Station in just 13 minutes! An unreserved ticket costs 1,500 yen and a reserved seat costs 2,890 yen.
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For centuries, Osaka has been known as the “nation’s kitchen”. It is a city where the specialties of Japan’s many diverse regions have come together and flourished. Osaka is also a city that through culinary development and innovation has taken Japanese to new heights. Dashi, now a universal and essential component used in Japanese cuisinecooking, first made its appearance in Osaka, and has made a significant impact on the food culture of Japan today.

Kyoto –less than an hour away from Kobe

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. This long and prestigious history led to the development of many of the refined arts we now associate with Japan.

Kyoto is dotted with over 2,000 shrines and temples, which contain about 20% of Japan’s National Treasures and about 14% of its Important Cultural Assets; 17 places in the city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Many aspects of traditional culture have been carefully preserved since the Heian period. Kyoto people are justifiably proud of their traditions, including omotenashi, or traditional hospitality, as well as kaiseki ryori, food beautiful enough to be called art, and many others. Various seasonal events are held throughout the year when one can glimpse the noble heritage of this beautiful, ancient city.

Traveling from Kyoto to Kobe

The best route from Kyoto to Kobe is to travel on JR trains via Kyoto Station. The Special Rapid train on the JR Kyoto Line will get you to Sannomiya Station in Kobe in 51 minutes for a fare of 1080 yen.
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