Kobe Revisit

Just prior to covid - I visited Kobe as one of the last major cities I had not visited as a tourist. The city looked ok but did not really do much for me.

As I'll be leaving just after Golden Week (May 8th), I've decided to stay in Kobe on the 7th and then catch the fast ferry to KIX airport in the early evening (Hotel Nikko KIX - so next to terminal).

My last two trips covered the major sites (apart from the view and foreign resident quarter) along with visiting Arima Onsen (which was way too busy then - I would not want to see it on May 6/7!)

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3373
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3374

I guess my main question is anyone aware of something a bit different in Kobe? The main thing I've found is Yodoko Guest House which is designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

My basic plan for day 1 is (Sorakuen Garden, Kobe City Museum, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, BB Plaza Museum of Art, Kobe Oji Zoo and the Yodoko Guest House). I feel as though there is probably too much for the first day - with a few minor museums to visit on Rokko Island with a potential visit to the Kobe Port Aquarium (which is part art exhibit). One of the museums on Rokko Island also has a Sanrio Exhibit which looks interesting - but it's also a little pricy.

Any suggestions would be appreciated as I feel as though it's currently too art focused. I do like architectural things - to give you some ideas.

Have you not gone to the Nunobiki Herb Gardens? I enjoyed it quite a lot, for views (on a nice or at least halfway decent day) and general ambience. I think itfs misnamed, because there are a lot more plants than just herbs there. I expect there will be some nice flowers in May. It is very easy to get to, and you can spend as little or as much time as you want, and combine the ropeway with some hiking if you want.

What about Rokko-san?

I really enjoyed a one-night stay at the Hotel Okura recently, just for the natsukashii atmosphere and very nice port and ferris wheel views. It is most definitely not for everone, but it reminded me of my earliest trips to Japan back in the Showa era (when I could not have afforded such a place). The thing is, they are very proud of their tradition and in many ways have not changed since they opened in 1989 (post-Showa, but not by much). In some ways this is a little weird, but I liked it. If itfs after golden week you might be able to get a good price on a room (I did, during the off-season on a weekday). Anyway, just an idea. For me just staying there was a high point of a visit to Kobe. But I like hotelsc

Nunobiki Herb garden and Hotel Okura Kobe are also my favorites. If you like nostargic feel, you may also like Nishimuraya coffee.

https://kobe-nishimura.jp/index.html

I like Hotel Okura Kobe's morning buffet, but when I feel it too much, I would go to Nishimuraya's Sannomiya branch to have their "morning service".

I think Frog1954 and I are of almost the same vintagec The qualities (and quality) of the Okura might be lost on a younger person who wasnft around during the bubble era. That was exactly the time period when the hotel was conceived, designed, and built.

I liked their breakfast, too. But Ifll check out Nishimuraya when Ifm in Kobe again. I think next time maybe Ifll stay two nights at the Okura. I love a nice big hotel breakfast buffet, but not every day.

Thanks for the info everyone. I had a quick look at the Okura and it's a bit too expensive compared to what I have at the moment (staying at the Kobe Port Tower Hotel) but will keep a look out for special deals.

I'll probably now do the Herb Garden as I was looking at one of the ropeways and was not sure of which one. The idea of flowers basically sold that. As I was in Matsue today (I visited Yuushein, Tottori Flower Park, Shimane Flower Park + Vogel Park which was spectacular flower wise) so it's right up my alley.

The coffee shop seems to be a chain and I'll probably give it a go at some stage - probably for lunch. My second day basically looks as though it's the Herb Garden - some houses near the herb garden (included in a pass I'll probably get), some minor art museums and then the Animal Kingdom. I don't know - but I enjoy these types of places in Japan as long as I don't have to pay full price. Some can be atrocious for animal space though.

Thankfully this is the last part of my trip to put together.

I donft know anything about the zoo, but the aquarium (atoa) has gotten some bad reviews as far as animal welfare is concerned, if that is meaningful to you. You always have to take such reviews with a grain of salt, as some people canft stand any places where animals are kept in confined spaces (you have to wonder why they even go to them), but I read a couple that basically turned me off to going. I originally had it on my list of places to go in Kobe, but then decided gmaybe not.h

If you just want a clean decent place to stay, possibly with a view, I donft know if youfd want to pay more to stay at the Okura. Kobe has a lot of hotels, and prices are competitive. I looked at a lot of other places, many of which were cheaper, but in the end was glad I chose the Okura because for me it was like a trip back in time. (And the view from my room was stunning, although I did have to pay a little more to guarantee the port side.) I think they have done a great job of balancing tradition with the need for periodic upgrades, so they donft feel like just an old, outdated large hotel. But I think that many of its finer points are subtle. Many people would prefer to have a more trendy-style bathroom, and a convenience store inside the hotel, among other things. I was delighted to see someone else who appreciated the place, but I suspect that many peope just would not.

I don't have the time to search all the reports you've made, but you might try the sake district (it's around 3 km long, so you can burn off the sake calories). There's over 20 places there however and you'll likely need to call an ambulance if you go to all of them.
The Soraken Garden was one of my favorites.
https://youtu.be/A7ppPkI2msA

At Mt. Rokko I was a bit disappointed in that the city lights seemed so far away. Another choice may be Mt. Maya or the Venus Bridge, though Rokko is much more accessible. The Kobe Chinatown is small but worth a walkthough (plus the Kanteibyo Chinese temple; not in Chinatown). There is also Ikuta Shrine, as well as the old western quarter, the Kitano Ijinkan-Gai (lots of places, fairly time consuming, and you'll get sorely nickle & dimed - get the combo tickets). Lastly, Golden Week is a wonderful time to see springtime come alive, and while it's a bit further away, the Suma Rikyu Park might be quite nice.

If you're going to the herb garden anyway you'll be near Nunobiki Falls. That's 19 min walk from Shin-Kobe Station according to Google Maps, but it's all steep uphill from Shin-Kobe station, so I'd expect the way there to take longer. Make sure you're wearing good hiking shoes if you go. Nothing extraordinary, but pretty enough if you get all peopled out during the rest of the trip and want something to get away from the crowds. It's considered one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls.

Hi All.

Yep, I've been to the Sake district but would probably like it more now. I remember people saying 500 yen for 5 shots which were filled to the brim. As a person who feels tipsy after a mid strength beer, I would not last long as Ken mentioned on the total number of places.

I also noticed the expensive prices of the foreign houses and might do some of them if I feel like it. 4 are included in a pass I'm considering getting.

Still on the Okura, I just stayed in a place in Masuda (Shimane) that just won an international design award. You are right about the small things, from slightly higher stools in the onsen to well thought out lighting and wooden comfortable furniture.

My main problem is I got a steal price on half board with snow crabs available for dinner at the forementioned hotel in Kobe. Somehow the price is less than 10K yen and it looks half decent.

If time is on my side, I'll look at the park you mentioned Ken. For the waterfall, I'll consider it but I do hate walking up hills. Call it 3 weeks of pain when visiting Japan where all places are hills.

Now back to watching the views from the west coast of Japan as I make my way to Hagi in Yamaguchi prefecture.