A solo day trip for 10,000 yen! ~Kobe edition~

This time, we will introduce a model itinerary for Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, a port city where you can enjoy touring Western-style buildings and cafes. There are many interesting places, from popular classic spots to new facilities that are attracting attention! It is easily accessible from Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport), Kansai International Airport, and Kobe Airport, so it should be perfect for a weekend trip. We will thoroughly enjoy a trip to Kobe for less than 10,000 yen, including "food", "experiences", "photo spots", and even "souvenirs".

*Prices include tax.

Your Kobe trip begins!

It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to get from Haneda Airport to Itami Airport.

When you arrive at Itami Airport, take the airport limousine bus to Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Kobe-Sannomiya Station can be reached in 1 hour from Kansai International Airport, and in about 20 minutes from Kobe Airport using the Kobe New Transit Port Liner. Your trip starts with a view of Kobe Port, Japan's leading international trading center!

Approximately 40 minutes by airport limousine bus

Approximately 2 minutes walk from Kobe Sannomiya Station

[Gourmet] Experience the charm of Kobe, the city of bread, from the morning! | Comme Chinois

When we arrived at Kobe Sannomiya, the first thing we did was have breakfast. Kobe was one of the first cities to adopt Western culture, and there are many delicious bakeries in the area, but the one we visited this time was "Comme Chinois," a boulangerie that opened in 1983 as a French restaurant.

When I visited the main store on the basement floor of the building first thing in the morning, the inside of the store was already filled with a fragrant aroma. The showcase contained hard breads made with natural yeast, soft and fluffy breads, and cakes. There were about 60 kinds! Freshly baked bread was brought out of the kitchen one after another.

For breakfast, I chose sandwiches. I took out two, "Special potato salad and roast ham soft bread sandwich" (324 yen) and "Salted mackerel rillette and apple piccolo" (324 yen), along with coffee (216 yen). In addition to these, there are other sandwiches unique to this shop, such as one with rustic pate, made by a French chef.

Comme Chinois

10-minute walk

[Photo Spot] Take a break in the green park in the city | Higashiyuenchi Park

With our sandwiches in hand, we walked towards the sea and arrived at the spacious Higashi Yuenchi Park. There was a wide expanse of grass and benches to rest on beneath the trees. It was a feeling of openness that you wouldn't expect in the middle of the city.

Here, I munched down on a sandwich I'd bought at Comme Chinois. This historic park was established in 1875 as Japan's first Western-style sports park, the Naigai Park. It is used as a place of relaxation for local residents, hosting various events and housing a cafe and outdoor library.

Once you've filled your stomach, it's time to head off to your next destination!

Higashi Yuenchi Park

12 minutes walk

[Experience] Immerse yourself in a unique world where art and living creatures co-exist! | AQUARIUM×ART átoa

We arrived at "átoa," a theater-style aquarium located inside the Kobe Port Museum.

This urban aquarium aims to combine aquariums and art, with each space designed with a completely different theme, such as "CAVE / The Cave of Origin" and "MARINE NOTE / The Fluctuation of Life."

The second floor, "ELEMENTS / Forest of Spirits," is a different world that makes you feel as if you have wandered into a sea of trees. This floor is home to freshwater fish and amphibians that live in rivers and waterside areas, but when you look down, you'll be surprised to see an Aldabra giant tortoise walking slowly! It's quite close.

On the third floor, "PLANETS / Miracle Planet" is a giant spherical aquarium that is the symbol of átoa. Fish swim inside the sphere, illuminated by lights. It feels like you're in space, or in the deep sea... Come and enjoy the mysterious experience that draws you into a unique worldview!

AQUARIUM×ART átoa

10-minute walk

[Gourmet] A cafe in a charming retro Western-style building | KIITO CAFE

We headed back a little towards Sannomiya and had lunch at "KIITO CAFE" located in the "Design and Creative Center Kobe", nicknamed "KIITO".

The facility was renovated from the Kobe Municipal Raw Silk Inspection Office, which was built in 1927 and 1932, and since Kobe was certified as a design city in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2008, it has been reborn as a design center with the aim of becoming a hub for design that connects the world. The elegant Western-style building with high ceilings hosts design and art events, and also offers rental space and office space.

KIITO CAFE is located on the first floor. It has a lovely retro atmosphere, with tables from the days of the Silk Inspection Office. We ordered the daily lunch, which uses plenty of vegetables from Hyogo Prefecture. The main dish for the day was "Chicken Simmered in Tomato Sauce," tender chicken and mushrooms topped with plenty of tomato sauce. Four side dishes, including pumpkin salad and marinated persimmon, were served next to the salad. Enjoy the seasonal and day-specific menu to your heart's content.

KIITO CAFE

15 minutes walk

[Photo Spot] Enjoy the sea city of Kobe! | Meriken Park

Now, let's head west along the coast! Our destination is Meriken Park. The park juts out into the sea and is dotted with various monuments and art. There are also many photo spots to commemorate your trip.

The Port Tower is currently undergoing renovations (until spring 2024), but its towering figure over the harbor remains a symbol of Kobe. There are also sightseeing cruise boats that depart from Meriken Park for about 30 minutes to enjoy the sea, so if you have the time, it might be worth taking a ride.

Meriken Park

5 minutes walk

[Photo Spot] Stroll through the fashionable area lined with Western-style buildings | Former Foreign Settlement

Kobe opened its port in 1868. What is now called the "former settlement" is the area where foreigners lived after the port opened. Many retro buildings built in the early 1900s still remain, and they have become popular spots with luxury brands and restaurants. You can feel the history of Kobe as you walk around and window shop while admiring the buildings.

Former settlement

10-minute walk

[Souvenirs] Shopping at stylish shops on Sakaemachi Street | room805

Sakaemachi Street, located between Kobe Chinatown and Kaigan-dori, is lined with many mixed-use buildings and dotted with stylish apparel and miscellaneous goods shops.

We went to one of them, "room805"! The owner selected items that would make spending time at home more enjoyable, mainly Korean goods such as beautifully designed pojagi (similar to Japanese furoshiki), simple nubi bags, and handmade tableware. In addition, there are goods from Japan and various other countries.

The souvenir I chose was an antique Korean brass spoon. Antiques are made by people long ago by hammering brass, and each one has a different shape and texture. I like the rustic feel of this spoon, which seems to become more and more tasteful the more you use it.

room805

6 minutes walk

[Gourmet] Buy the popular pork buns in Kobe's Chinatown | Nankinmachi Roshoki

Speaking of Kobe, Chinatown is also an unforgettable spot. It is lined with many restaurants and is always bustling with people.

There is always a constant line at the pork bun shop "Roshoki." Founded in 1915 during the Taisho era, it is a long-established store that has been loved for over 100 years.

Looking inside the store, you can see steam rising and piping hot pork buns being steamed one after another.

I bought a pack of six to take home as souvenirs. The chewy skin and the unique flavor of the bean paste are sure to whet your appetite!

Old Chronicles

3 minutes walk

[Gourmet] A luxurious parfait made with high-quality seasonal fruits perfect as a gift | Beniman

I had a little bit of extra money left, so I went to "Beniman." This shop was also founded in the Taisho era. It is a specialty store of gift fruits that has been in business since 1912, and is said to be the first fruit parlor in Kobe. Their luxurious parfaits, made with high-quality seasonal fruits that are perfect for gifts, are very popular.

The contents of the fruit parfait change depending on the season, but on this day a large, sweet persimmon was on display.

What's more, it was topped with 8-9 kinds of fruits, including ripe pineapple and melon, which was very satisfying! The crisp texture of the black sesame cookies added a nice accent to this elegant parfait.

Beniman Kobe Motomachi store

20-minute walk

[Souvenir] Custard pudding loved by a wide range of generations at the main store | Morozoff Kobe Main Store

Morozoff, a Western confectionery brand, was born in Kobe. It was founded in Kobe in 1931 and mainly produces and sells chocolate. One day, an employee made a custard pudding in a ceramic dish and sold it at a cafe as an original menu item for a limited time, which became a hot topic and has since become Morozoff's signature confectionery.

The appeal of custard pudding is its simple taste, made with milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla flavoring, etc. The perfect balance of gentle sweetness and bittersweet caramel sauce will make you want to eat it again and again! How about buying some custard pudding as a souvenir from the flagship store in Kobe, where the company was founded?

Morozoff Kobe Main Store

5 minutes walk

[Souvenir] "Ikumori" to nurture feelings and cherish each day | Ikuta Shrine

Ikuta Shrine is located in the downtown area near Sannomiya Station. This shrine has a history of over 1800 years and is also known as the god of matchmaking. First, pray at the vivid vermilion worship hall. Wakahirume-no-Mikoto is enshrined in the main hall. If you walk around the main hall, you will find a sacred forest spreading out to the north, creating a solemn atmosphere. This place is called "Ikuta Forest" and is a historic forest that appears in "The Pillow Book," which is said to have been written by Sei Shonagon in the Heian period.

The charm I was looking for was the "Hagukumamori" (protection from nurturing). It is a collaboration with "Familiar", a baby and children's brand with its headquarters in Kobe. It features a bear and the double cherry blossom, the crest of Ikuta Shrine, on the red and blue checkered background that symbolizes Familiar. I received this charm, which is filled with the wish that not only children but also adults will "nurture their own feelings and cherish each and every day," while praying for a safe journey.

Ikuta Shrine

Approximately 7 minutes walk to Kobe Sannomiya Station

Approximately 40 minutes by airport limousine bus

Arrived at Itami Airport! Had fun all in one day!

Kobe's sightseeing spots are scattered around the station, making it easy to get around on foot. The fresh breeze from Kobe Port makes walking around the city a pleasant experience. Kobe is also known for its beautiful cityscape! Even while you're on the move, you'll find yourself taking photos of the scenery.

When you suddenly feel like going out somewhere, why not try changing your mood by referring to the sample itineraries we have introduced this time?

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