Japan - Day 5: Kobe (神戸市 Kōbe-shi)

We bought a 3-day Kansai Rail Pass for 5,000円. In order to have the Day Pass fully utilised, we tried to look for attractive destinations that are located far from Takanohara (the place where we stayed) so that we could pay less on transportation. When we looked at the map, we found Kobe, a port city which is about 1 hour 15 minutes by train from Kyoto.

Kobe (神戸市 Kōbe-shi) is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture. Located in the Kansai region of Japan, it is part of the Keihanshin (京阪神) metropolitan area along with Kyoto and Osaka. After the opening of the Port of Kobe, many Americans and Europeans settled in the Kitano district. Call in on the foreign atmosphere which remains to this day, it is a fun area to stroll around. Kobe is a port city with centuries of history. Its port came to be developed due to several factors: its position on the Seto Inland Sea, Kobe's location in the center of Japan, its deep waters, and its good climate.

Kitano Injinkan (北野異人館)

Moegi House - Moegi means light green in Japanese. As the house's name suggests, its walls are a graceful light green. There is a gorgeous view from the balcony. Moegi House is an important Cultural Property of Japan.

Austria House

Denmark House

Rhine House - a cream coloured house surrounded by a beautiful garden. The outside walls are covered with horizontal wooden panels, creating lines. The beauty of these lines is said to be the origin of house's name

A beautiful cafe in Kitano Injinkan

Kobe City Bus

Masaya Honten Japanese Restaurant

15 Ban-kan

15 Ban-kan

The colonial two-storey wooden building was the residence of the American Consul General during the old settlement days. It is now a restaurant, perfect for a short rest while wandering around the Old Foreign Settlement.

Nankinmachi

Nankinmachi is also known as The Chinatown.

A small area stretching approximately 300m from east to west, and just 100m from north to south, packed with many restaurants and shops. Nankinmachi is Kobe's lively Chinatown.

The Motomachi Shopping Street

Al-fresco dining in Kobe, anyone?

Coming up: Kobe Food Trail......