Classic Route Day 1

Arrive at Kansai International Airport

In the past, Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) in Osaka city was used for international flights.
However, due to reasons such as noise issues, Kansai International Airport (KIX) now serves as the main international airport.

Kansai Airport was built on an artificial island made by land reclamation, and all international flights arrive at Kansai Airport.

Most flights arrive at Terminal 1, but if you use Jeju Air or Peach Aviation, you will arrive at Terminal 2.

If you arrive at Terminal 2, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 1, then use the train to go into Osaka city.

• If you take an airport limousine bus to Osaka, you can depart directly from Terminal 2.

How to store luggage at your hotel

If you do not have much luggage, or if you want to start sightseeing in Kobe with more time, you can store your bags in a coin locker (luggage locker) at the station and leave right away.

However, you should check your hotel location clearly in advance, so you do not waste time looking for it late at night.
Also, coin lockers cost a few hundred yen, so it may be more efficient to stop by your hotel first and leave your luggage there.

In general, hotel check-in is between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm, and most hotels offer luggage storage before check-in.

If you arrive earlier than check-in time, you can usually leave heavy bags at the concierge desk, and many hotels also store luggage for a short time after check-out.
Using this service can help you travel more comfortably.

• Apartment-style stays often do not offer luggage storage, and even some hotels may not provide this service.
• Before your visit, it is safer to check the hotel website FAQ.

Travel to Kobe

Kobe is known as one of Japan’s top three night view cities, and it is also popular as a date destination. As a port city that opened early, it has a strong international atmosphere influenced by Western culture.

In 1995, the Great Hanshin Earthquake happened, and many people lost their lives.
From December of that year, the Luminarie festival has been held every winter in December or January, to honor the victims and pray for Kobe’s recovery and renewal. ✨

Kobe is also home to Arima Onsen, the most famous hot spring town in the Kansai region, and it is known as one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.
Depending on your schedule, it is also a good idea to make it a one-day trip together with Himeji Castle.

• For details on how to go directly from Kansai Airport to Kobe, see
  Osaka Part 1 - Flight (Ferry Ticket) Preparation and How to Travel from the Airport.

Sannomiya Station

三宮

It is often said that Kobe sightseeing starts at Sannomiya Station.
It is the city center and the main transport hub in Kobe.

From Sannomiya Station, Kitano Ijinkan Street and Tor Road are to the north, and Chinatown, Kobe Port Tower, and Harborland are to the south.

Many people visit Kobe for the night view, so it is efficient to visit the northern area first during the day, then go to the southern night view area in the evening.
However, if you do not have much time, you can still feel the Kobe atmosphere by visiting only the southern area.

City / Port Loop Bus 🚌

CITY / PORT LOOP

• CITY LOOP and PORT LOOP are sightseeing bus routes that loop through Kobe’s main attractions.
• CITY LOOP connects major sights in central Kobe, while PORT LOOP mainly operates around the Kobe waterfront area.
• The 1-day pass costs 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children. If you plan to visit several places in one day, the pass is a good deal.
• Even without the pass, you can ride for 260 yen per trip, and you can also pay with an ICOCA (IC card).

Kitano Ijinkan Street

北野異人館

Kitano Ijinkan Street was formed as an upscale residential area for Western merchants after Kobe Port opened.

Foreign residents built houses in the style of their home countries on a hill with a sea view, and the area has remained a popular sightseeing spot to this day.

• Most houses require an admission fee, so check which places are open and the prices before you visit.

Tor Road

Tor Road

Tor Road (Tor Road) is a pleasant street to walk along. In the early port-opening period, it was the daily route connecting Kitano Ijinkan Street, where many foreigners lived, with the foreign settlement near Sannomiya Station, where they worked.

Today, it has become a shopping street where stylish luxury and vintage vibes come together. In particular, on the downhill route from Kitano toward Nankinmachi, you will find many well-designed shops and stores popular with women.

Nankinmachi

南京町

Nankinmachi is Kobe’s Chinatown and is considered one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, along with Yokohama and Nagasaki. You will see Chinese-style buildings and decorations throughout the area, and it feels like stepping into a different world.

It is especially famous for street food. Among them, butaman (豚まん), a steamed pork bun, is a must-try snack. Walking through the streets with a warm bun in your hand is a great way to enjoy the lively atmosphere of Nankinmachi.

Kobe Port Tower

神戸ポートタワー

Kobe Port Tower is one of Kobe’s main landmarks. It is a red tower that was the world’s first to use a pipe structure design. Shaped like a traditional drum (鼓), it stands tall against the Kobe Port skyline and is 108 meters high. Its unique curved shape makes it easy to recognize from far away.

At the top, there is an observation deck with wide views of Kobe city and the harbor. There is also a cafe that rotates 360 degrees every 20 minutes, making it a nice place to enjoy Kobe’s night scenery at a relaxed pace.

Harborland & Mosaic

神戸ハーバーランド & モザイク

Harborland is Kobe’s famous waterfront complex. It is like an entertainment area where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and activities in one place. The large shopping mall Mosaic is located here.

🎡 Around Mosaic, there are many cultural and entertainment facilities, including a ferris wheel. It is so popular for night views that it can remind you of Odaiba in Tokyo, and it is also known as a romantic evening spot.

In particular, the night view of Kobe Port Tower and Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel from Mosaic is one of the highlights of a Kobe trip.

Kobe Luminarie

神戸ルミナリエ

To honor the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995 and pray for Kobe’s recovery and renewal, Kobe Luminarie has been held every winter since December of the same year.

The event fills central Kobe with beautiful illuminations and creates a quiet but powerful atmosphere. It is held for only a short period of about 10 days in December or January each year, so it is hard to see unless your travel dates match.

When to explore Osaka city?

In the classic route plan, you may notice that Osaka’s main downtown areas, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi, are not included in the daytime schedule.

Most attractions in Japan close around 6:00 pm, so after visiting places outside the city and returning to Osaka, it is usually around 8:00 pm. This is a good time to walk around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.

If your trip is mainly for shopping, it is better to spend more time in Osaka city. However, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are places you will naturally pass by often, so you do not need to set aside extra time just for them.

Osaka is Japan’s second-largest city, but most shops close after 10:00 pm. At that time, it is better to return to your hotel and rest well. If you sleep early and wake up early, you can have more time to visit one more place the next day.

• In Japan, taxi fares are quite expensive, so it can be a problem if you miss the last train.
• Ebisu-bashi (戎橋) is the bridge that connects Dotonbori and Shinsaibashisuji, and it is also called the “pickup bridge”.
• 'Nanpa (ナンパ)' in Japanese means “picking up (flirting with) strangers.”
• Recently, some travelers have been reported to approach Japanese women in an aggressive way, and this has been discussed as a problem in local communities.
• This can create a very negative impression, so please do not do it. 🙅‍♂️