10 Things to Do in Kobe on a Small Budget

The history of Kobe as a city is not to be outdone by Kyoto and Nara in the Kansai region. Kobe has countless temples and shrines that are well-known throughout the country and are beloved by those with deep religious beliefs, collectors of goshuin (special red stamps), and history buffs, as well as by those who enjoy touring spiritual sites.

Highlights include Ikuta Shrine and Kitano Tenma Shrine, which are famous for the luck they bring in love. Minatogawa Shrine, associated with Masashige Kusunoki (a warlord in the Edo period), and Sumadera Temple, the site of the Battle of Ichinotani, are also must-visits. These temples and shrines in Kobe, which contributed to the recovery from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, are places to pray for peace in the world.

Rokko Garden Terrace, with its excellent view and stunning night scenery, is one of Kobe’s leading tourist destinations. It’s known for the Rokko-Shidare Observatory, the highest location on Mt. Rokko, and its illumination with LED lights is another remarkable sight.

Visitors can fully immerse themselves in the garden and admire the view from various angles from the Lookout Tower, Lookout Terrace, and Lookout Deck. As the name suggests, strolling through the garden is a wonderful way to spend your time here. Admission is free. Having a meal at the attached café or restaurant while enjoying the night view is also an excellent choice.

Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park is located in Meriken Park, Kobe’s waterfront area known for its photogenic “BE KOBE Monument”. With photo panels, models, videos and other exhibits, visitors can learn about the extent of the damage and the restoration process following the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that occurred in 1995.

A 60-metre section of the collapsed quay wall has been preserved in its original state, making this a valuable place to see the devastation of the earthquake up-close. Experience for yourself the importance of remembering the past.

Higashi Yuenchi Park used to be an athletics park exclusively for foreigners, located adjacent to the Kobe Settlement, but is now open to the public and has become a favourite urban oasis for Kobe residents. Spring 2022 also saw the opening of the new "Kodomo Hon no Mori Kobe" (KOBE Children's Book Forest) library.

The site is also a venue for local events such as Kobe Luminarie, the illumination of the city centre that began as a memorial to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

Kobe Municipal Arboretum boasts a history of more than 80 years, bringing comfort and relaxation to the citizens of Kobe. Cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese iris and other flowers grow here, attracting countless visitors when they're in peak bloom.

The “Seattle Forest” and “Brisbane Forest” areas were created to commemorate the friendship between Kobe and its sister cities of Seattle, USA, and Brisbane, Australia, and there you’ll find a variety of trees from all over the world. Hase Pond, located right in the middle of the park, is a superb spot for viewing the autumn leaves.

In the same way as in Yokohama and Nagasaki, Nankinmachi is a Chinatown that developed near a seaport, in this case Kobe’s. Narrow streets spreading from Nankinmachi Square are crammed with eateries that offer a wide variety of low-priced, casual meals.

Starting with the ever-popular Roshouki, known as the original butaman (steamed pork bun) store, you’ll find places offering baked everything from xiaolongbao (small basket-stuffed dumplings), kakuni (stewed diced pork), moon cakes, and much more. The bustling streets with endless stalls are typical of Kobe's Chinatown.

The Kobe City Hall Observation Lobby is a sightseeing spot in the heart of Kobe that offers a free observation deck. Take a lift all the way up to the 24th and you can look out over the Kobe cityscape through windows divided into ocean and mountain sides. The ocean side offers a panoramic view of Port Island, Harborland, and even the Kii Peninsula that lies on the opposite shore.

On the mountain side, check out the amazing night view of the city’s skyscrapers and the lights illuminating the Shisho-zan, Ikariyama and Dotokuyama mountains in the background. The Lobby also overlooks the vast site of the Kobe Luminarie illuminations.

Flower Road is a main street running north to south from Sannomiya Station, Kobe's largest downtown area, to the junction in front of the Customs House. With the Kobe Flower Clock at the top of the list, the street is filled with flowers and other objets d'art, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

As you browse department stores and shopping streets, why not take a stroll to the pedestrian bridge in front of the Customs House? This bridge will transform into a promenade with a gentle slope connecting Higashi Yuenchi Park and Minato no Mori Park in 2023 after the redevelopment of the area.

Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum, established by Takenaka Corporation, was renovated and relocated near Shin-Kobe Station in 2014. It now offers visitors the chance to appreciate Japanese architecture and carpentry tools in a tranquil forest setting.

Old carpentry tools are carefully displayed like works of art, a marvel to behold. With exhibits that can actually be touched and an interactive corner, even those who are not architects or carpenters will get a kick out of this museum. You’ll definitely be inspired by the depth of carpentry culture on show as well as the traditional beauty of Japan's world-class architecture, such as tea ceremony rooms and five-storey pagodas.

The Former Foreign Settlement of Kobe captures the exotic flavour so typical of the city. Retro architectural structures once built for foreigners still remain, reminding visitors of the era when Japan opened its ports and civilisation to the outside world. You can enjoy strolling and taking photographs in this scenic area.

Kobe City Museum, a renovated bank building, and the Former Kobe Settlement Building No. 15, the only remaining building from the settlement era (restored after its complete destruction in the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake), as well as many other historical sites and museums, invite you to discover Kobe's history and enjoy a stroll through the city.