About Kobe

Perched on a slope going down to Osaka Bay and backed by the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is known the world over for its signature marbled beef, and is one of Japan’s most visually appealing modern cities. The cosmopolitan atmosphere has its origins in Kobe’s days as a port town pioneering trade with China, which saw it become home to one of Japan’s first foreign settlements in the 19th century. Nankin-machi Chinatown is one reminder of this rich history, along with former merchant quarter Kitano, while elsewhere central Kobe is home to Sorakuen, a traditional landscaped garden. Contrasting with their sleek modernity are Hyogo Museum of Art, and the waterfront Meriken Park. Take the Shin-Kobe Ropeway up to the Rokko slopes for spectacular views especially at night.