Private Shore Excursion Kobe Port - Best of Kobe with a local

Kobe , Japan

Private Shore Excursion Kobe Port - Best of Kobe with a local

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(19 reviews)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

A private tour - to maintain the unique energy of your group.
Have any special interests or requests?
We can add it into your Kobe experience...just let us know.

A Great Mix of the Old & New of Kobe City... oh yeah!

You will have a Native English Speaking local guide.

Spend time enjoying the city, (and not spending time getting lost in train stations or lost in translation)....another Oh yeah!

Once you have booked your experience, we will be in touch with you within 48-hours to plan your personalized experience, and finalize our meeting point.

For tours less than 48-hours, we will contact you sooner.

Available options

7-hours

Duration: 8 hours<br/>Pickup included

4-hours

Duration: 4 hours<br/>Pickup included

What's included

4 or 7 hours with a Local Host

Native English Speaking host

Walking experience (train or taxi available at additional cost)

100% Private and Personalized Experience

Detailed itinerary

One of the two most popular shrines in Kobe City.
It is a shrine, and for this one, it is more muted... without the famous orange/red every where.
Very popular for many different important celebrations for locals.

Stop 2

We will be passing through Harbor land and Meriken Park.
This is a beautiful port area for both locals and travelers alike.

In Meriken there are many eateries and shops to browse.

The place where locals love to shop. Closer to Daimaru store, the shops are more so cosmopolitan, and going towards the Kobe Station side, you see a mix of new, and old (many generations owned stores).

China Town nestled on the side of Motomachi. You will feel like you are in a totally different area from when you step into this street. You feel like you are not even in Japan anymore.

One of two most popular shrines in Kobe City.
Vibrant colors, old history, and getting to this shrine is fun because you go through the entertainment part of Kobe.

Stop 6

What OTHER INTERESTS did you have in mind?
Sake Tasting?
We can either go to a local brewery museum, or go to a popular sake bar. Your choice, just let us know.

8-hour Experience is recommended if you would like Nunobiki Falls included.

Nunobiki features the flowers that bloom in the season you visit. As you walk down the garden paths, you have views of the Kobe City Ocean/Sky line along the way.

Fun ride up the mountain on a rope-way "gondola"; and on your ride up, you can see the Nunobiki waterfall, and other homes, foliage.... and not forgetting to mention, the skyline view of Kobe City.

Once at the top, visit the essential oil museum and smell some samples, walk down the path with many smaller gardens placed in beautiful patterns, and visit a greenhouse with wonderful sight and sound of streaming river.

If you want, you can also have lunch at the herb restaurant, (with courses of edible flowers).

You can't go wrong here if you want to see all that Kobe City landscape has to offer, (mountains, oceans, and all thats in between).

Seasonal - during Summer and early Fall months.

Although quiet on many of the months of the year, the summer gets fun with the pop up restaurants with music playing, stroll some through the warm waters, and people watch as some are perfecting their selfies.

Stop 9

Want to try KOBE BEEF? ...oh yeah!

We can end your tour at a recommended restaurant, so you can take your time enjoying.

If you prefer to have Kobe Beef for lunch during your experience, we can do that too :-)

What's not included

Food and drinks

Entry fees if applicable - (including for guide) Sōrakuen ¥300pp Ropeway ¥1800pp

Transportation costs within city (including for guide)

Gratuities (optional)

Available languages

Guide guide

JA EN

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

7 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Tripadvisor 5.0

12 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Meeting point

JR line. Right outside of the ticketing gate.

About Kobe

Kobe is a vibrant port city known for its stunning harbor views, diverse architecture, and world-class cuisine. It's a blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern urban living, with a rich history as an international trading hub.

Top Attractions

Kobe Port Tower

A iconic red tower offering panoramic views of Kobe's harbor and skyline. It's a symbol of the city and a popular photo spot.

Architecture 1-2 hours ¥800

Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)

One of the largest and most vibrant Chinatowns in Japan, filled with colorful shops, restaurants, and street food stalls.

Cultural 1-3 hours Free to explore, varies for food and shopping

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden and Ropeway

A beautiful garden with a variety of herbs and flowers, accessible by a scenic ropeway ride offering stunning views of Kobe.

Nature 2-3 hours ¥1,600 (includes ropeway and garden entry)

Kobe beef

Kobe beef is one of Japan's most famous and luxurious culinary delights, known for its tenderness and rich flavor. It's a must-try when visiting Kobe.

Cultural 1-2 hours (for a meal) Expensive (¥10,000-¥30,000 per person)

Arima Onsen

One of Japan's oldest and most famous hot spring resorts, offering a relaxing and rejuvenating experience in a beautiful mountain setting.

Religious Half day to overnight ¥1,000-¥5,000 (varies by bathhouse and ryokan)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Kobe beef

Tender, marbled beef from Tajima cattle, known for its rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Dinner Contains beef

Ikayaki (grilled squid)

A Kobe specialty, this grilled squid is seasoned with soy sauce and served with a tangy dipping sauce.

Snack Seafood, gluten (soy sauce)

Kobe-style sushi

A local twist on traditional sushi, featuring fresh seafood and unique toppings.

Lunch/Dinner Contains fish, gluten (soy sauce)

Menki crab

A popular winter delicacy, Menki crab is known for its sweet and tender meat.

Dinner Seafood

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Rokko Mountains Mountain biking Ropeway ride to Nunobiki Herb Garden Onsen (hot spring) visits Tea ceremonies Scenic harbor cruises Temple and shrine visits Traditional crafts workshops

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November)

These seasons offer pleasant weather and are ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Spring brings cherry blossoms, while autumn offers vibrant foliage.

15-25°C 59-77°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Japanese
Widely spoken: English, Chinese, Korean
English: Moderately spoken (in tourist areas)

Currency

Japanese Yen (JPY)

Time Zone

GMT+9

Electricity

100VV, 50/60Hz (varies by region)Hz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Very safe

Kobe is a very safe city with a low crime rate. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is uncommon. However, travelers should always be aware of their surroundings and take basic precautions to protect their belongings.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight
• Be cautious when using ATMs and avoid sharing your PIN
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and at night

Getting there

By air

Kobe Airport • 12 km from city center
Osaka International Airport (Itami) • 30 km from city center

By train

Shin-Kobe Station, Sannomiya Station

By bus

Sannomiya Bus Terminal, Kobe Station Bus Terminal

Getting around

Public transport

The subway system is efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. It's the best way to get around the city quickly.

Taxis

Available • Apps: JapanTaxi, DiDi

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Sannomiya Kitano-cho Nada

Day trips

Himeji Castle

30 km from Kobe • Half day to full day

One of Japan's most famous and well-preserved feudal castles, known for its elegant white exterior and beautiful gardens.

Osaka

30 km from Kobe • Full day

A vibrant, bustling city known for its modern architecture, historic sites, and delicious street food. Osaka offers a mix of traditional and contemporary attractions.

Koyasan

50 km from Kobe • Full day to overnight

A sacred mountain and the center of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Koyasan is home to numerous temples, monasteries, and beautiful gardens.

Festivals

Kobe Luminarie • Early December (dates vary) Kobe Port Festival • Early May (dates vary)

Pro tips

Visit the Nunobiki Herb Garden and Ropeway for stunning views of Kobe and beautiful gardens.
Try Kobe beef at a high-end restaurant for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Explore the historic Kitano-cho neighborhood for a glimpse into Kobe's international past and beautiful views of the harbor.
Take a day trip to Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most famous and well-preserved feudal castles.
Visit the Kobe Luminarie festival in December for a breathtaking light display along the harbor.