Visiting Kobe, Japan

Visiting Kobe, Day One and a Half 

Living in the heart of Japan there are so many options for places to visit that is can be overwhelming. Thanks to our collective indecision we have put off traveling for some time now, but are finally forcing ourselves to venture outside of Kyoto and Osaka, and see what else there is.

As Kevin's company was closed this past week, we made a couple trips. The first was to Nara (see Nara post) and the second was to Kobe. If you are unfamiliar with Kobe, it is a coastal town on the main island of Japan. Boasting over a million residents and a large expat community, it seemed like a good bet. This one-time industrious port turned tourist destination is home to several great tourist spots, a booming night scene, and is easy to navigate.

We set out with plans to hit up a few of the major tourist spots: Nada district for its sake, the herb garden and ropeway, the nightlife, and Kobe port. Even getting a late start on our first day we managed to hit everything on the list and then some.

Kobe's Nada District

The Nada District sakes are excellent to say the least. If you are unfamiliar with sake and are not looking for the best tour of your life this will do just fine. There are maps all over the district (in Japanese) and each shop has big flags out front. As if the maps and flags are enough, many of the buildings were designed to look like old style, half wood, half white washed warehouses reminiscent of the Fushimi sake district in Kyoto.

Our favorite was Hamafukutsuguru Ginjo Kobo brewery and souvenir shop. The old man, who either had an eye twitch or loved to wink, gave us an abundance of tastings (rare in comparison to the other sake breweries), ranging from traditional sake to umeshu and even a little yuzu liqueur. As if a good round of tasting wasn't enough, they also have sake and vanilla flavored ice cream and even though it was raining out, you know we were lined up to try it!

image of Hamafukutsuguru Ginjo Kobo outside 

Nada Herb Garden and Ropeway

If you are looking for romance and/or scenery, you will find it at the ropeway and herb garden. This was by far Megan's favorite part of the trip. Unable to plan such a perfect surprise, when we reached the top of the ropeway/entrance to the garden it began snowing! We grabbed a quick lunch at their delicious herb garden buffet. Don't snub your nose quite yet, at $15 a head you get what you pay for. There was an assortment of fresh salads, sashimi, pasta, cooked salmon, 6 or so soups and stews (it is winter after all), a large assortment of fresh fruit and mini-desserts, loose leaf "create your own blend" teas, and much more. The service was excellent and the staff being traditional Japanese were fabulous. After lunch we made our way down to through the garden. For the winter season they had set up a small foot-soak tub outside on the balcony of the green house, overlooking the city of Kobe.

View from the Ropeway

Clock tower of the herb garden's main building

They were mainly growing lettuce and winter herbs as it is quite chilly on the mountain side this time of year. Still very well maintained, and accessible by well-maintained brick foot paths (with ramp access through the entire garden).

Green house fully stocked with lush, tropical plants, a cafe, crafts area, balcony over looking Kobe, and much more! 

Outside foot bath; This was fabulous! Absolutely nothing better than a good soak on a freezing day. For a 100yen ($1) you can purchase a small hand towel to dry off as well. 

Terraced herbs and lettuce

If you are a walker and prefer to save the cash by not taking the ropeway, there is a beautiful hike up (or down) from the garden. This waterfall is the main attraction for this leg of what appeared to be an extensive amount of hiking trails all over the mountains.  Access to these trails is most easily found by walking under and to the back side of Shin Kobe Station. A huge map is at the trail head, and following the main trail up (keeping the ropeway over head) and you will be there in no time.