One of Japan’s major ports, Kobe now boasts a lovely blend of Western and Asian style and architecture. Despite being an international port city, Kobe entices with a relaxed pace, offering a much-welcomed respite from the hustle and bustle of Osaka or Tokyo.

The best part? It only takes 30 minutes to get to Kobe from Osaka! Start your day trip at Sannomiya station. This is the city’s main shopping area — indulge in some retail therapy at Motomachi shopping arcade, Sannomiya Center Street, and various department stores.

Eat Kobe beef in Kobe

As cliché as it may be, the first thing you have to do is to eat Kobe beef in Kobe. And yes, Kobe beef is a type of Wagyu beef! Hailing from the Tajima Black cattle (which accounts for 80% of Japan’s cattle), Kobe beef is known for its incredible marbling. To be considered Kobe beef, the cattle must be born, fed, and reared in the Hyogo prefecture. Only about 3,000 cattle are qualified as Kobe beef each year, making it a rare treat!

Many restaurants in Kobe serve this tender, juicy, and indulgent beef cut. If you’re travelling on a budget, Steakland is a popular value-for-money teppanyaki chain. Otherwise, Kobe Steak Restaurant Mouriya Honten and Wakkoqu are slightly pricier options.

We had a lovely steak lunch at Royal Mopr; a set lunch included soup, salad, baked vegetables, 160g of steak, as well as bread or rice with pickles. Choose A4 Kobe beef for JPY8,900 (~SGD88), or A5 Kobe beef for JPY9,600 (~JPY95).

Watch as the skilled chef expertly prepares and cooks the beef in front of you teppanyaki-style. Alternatively, enjoy Kobe beef as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu.

Explore Kitano-cho

Previously the residential area for foreign diplomats, Kitano-cho is Kobe’s ‘Western’ district. It’s filled with many 19th-century Ijinkan (Western architecture), many of which have been converted into museums and shops. Pay a visit to the popular Weathercock House and Uroko Museum, which are filled with historical artefacts and artworks.

Don’t miss out on the ‘English House’, which has a bar on the first floor, and the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ room on the second floor — which is a replica of the famous detective’s room! Otherwise, spend an hour or two popping in and out of the shops and boutiques, or enjoy a bout of people-watching from the cafés or restaurants.

Have your fill in Chinatown

Also known as Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown is a bustling district developed in the 1860s. Stroll along the vibrant streets, and try the many street foods on offer. Dig into gyoza, ramen, manju steamed buns, and more.

Nankinmachi comprises two main streets that converge at a small plaza, and comes alive especially during the Mid-autumn festival and Lunar Chinese New Year.

Before heading back to Osaka, you also drop by the Kobe Harborland shopping and entertainment district, enjoy a panoramic view from Kobe Port Tower, relax at Arima Onsen, take a stroll through Soraku-en Garden, take a cable car up Mt. Rokko, and more.

How to get to Kobe

Getting to Kobe is easy: take the shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Shin-Kobe station (15 minutes), or take a JR Special Rapid Train from Osaka station to Sannomiya station (20 minutes). We recommend the latter.

In Kobe itself, the City Loop Day Pass (JPY680; ~SGD7) will allow you to take the hop-on-hop-off bus to most of the city’s major attractions. A single ride will otherwise cost JPY260 (~SGD3).