Kobe

What to know

Kobe (神戸, Kōbe) is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and ranks among Japan's ten largest cities. Nestled between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, it is widely regarded as one of the country's most beautiful urban destinations.

For centuries, Kobe has served as a vital port city. In the 19th century, its port was among the first opened to foreign trade, alongside Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate, and Niigata.

In 1995, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck Kobe, claiming over 5,000 lives and destroying tens of thousands of buildings. Today, the city has been fully rebuilt, with few traces of the disaster remaining.

Activities and attractions

Kobe BeefWorld famous local brand of wagyu meatArima OnsenCelebrated hot spring resort within the city limitsKobe Earthquake Memorial MuseumCommemorating the 1995 earthquakeKobe Nunobiki RopewayRopeway with great views over the city of KobeSorakuen GardenJapanese landscape garden in central KobeMount RokkoPanoramic Views of Kobe and OsakaKitano-choFormer residential area of foreign merchantsHyogo Prefectural Museum of ArtModern art in a spectacular building by AndoNada Sake DistrictKobe’s Nada district is famous for sakeAkashi Kaikyo BridgeThe world’s longest suspension bridgeKobe HarborlandPopular shopping and entertainment complexKobe City MuseumKnown for its collection of Namban ArtMeriken ParkWaterfront park with Kobe Tower and moreNankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)Kobe’s Chinatown is called Nankinmachi