Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

based on 14 reviews

Duration:4 hours (approx.)
Location: Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture

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This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kobe!

Perched on a hillside sloping down to the sea, Kobe is one of Japan's most attractive and cosmopolitan cities. Compact and designed for walking, it is easily visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the city's distinct atmosphere and dining options!

Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hour tour that's best for you!

Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Mt. Rokko
Mount Rokko (六甲山, Rokkōsan, 931 meters) is the highest peak in the Rokko mountain range, which provides the pleasant green backdrop to the city of Kobe. Panoramic views of the heavily urbanized Hanshin region (Kobe and Osaka) can be enjoyed from the mountain and are particularly spectacular around sunset.
2. Shin-Kobe Trail
Shin-Kobe Ropeway (新神戸ロープウェー) is one of three services that lifts tourists up the southern slopes of the Rokko mountain chain. The ropeway departs from next to Shin-Kobe Station, Kobe's shinkansen station. As it ascends, it passes by the Nunobiki Waterfall and the Nunobiki Herb Garden, giving a nice aerial view of both. The highlight of the ride lies in the observation deck located just beside the top station, which offers spectacular views of Kobe and is a popular night view spot.
3. Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park
On January 17, 1995 at 5:46 am, the city of Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, resulting in the death of more than 5000 people and the destruction of tens of thousands of homes. The Earthquake Memorial Museum, part of the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (人と防災未来センター, Hito to Bōsai Mirai Center), was opened in 2002 to commemorate the tragic event and to educate visitors about earthquakes and disaster prevention. The museum includes a large screen theater with realistic images of the earthquake's destructiveness, a documentary film about the recovery process, lots of information about the earthquake and various interactive games about disaster prevention.
4. Kitano Ijinkan-gai
Kitano-cho (北野町, Kitanochō) is a city district at the foot of the Rokko mountain range where many foreign merchants and diplomats settled after the Port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade in the second half of the 19th century. More than a dozen of the former mansions, known as Ijinkan, remain in the area and are open to the public as museums. Most of the houses charge an admission fee between 550 to 750 yen, while combination tickets are available to see multiple houses. The entire district is pleasant to walk through and offers a variety of cafes, restaurants and boutiques, making it a favorite among young Japanese couples.
5. Kobe Harborland
Kobe Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド) is a shopping and entertainment district between JR Kobe Station and the waterfront of Kobe's port area. The district offers a large selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and other amusements, which, together with the romantic evening atmosphere, have made it a popular spot for couples and tourists alike. The most prominent shopping complex in Kobe Harborland is Umie which consists of three parts: Mosaic, South Mall and North Mall. Mosaic stretches along the waterfront and offers a wide selection of restaurants. Many of the eateries overlook the harbor with views of Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum across the water, which are especially nice in the evenings when they are illuminated. At the southern end of Mosaic stand a Ferris wheel and the Anpanman Museum, a museum dedicated to the popular manga and anime series about the bread-headed superhero. The South Mall and North Mall are enclosed shopping malls featuring a department store and more various smaller shops.
6. Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Kobe's Nada (灘) district is Japan's top sake producing region. It has long been famous for its sake due to the availability of high quality rice, suitable water and favorable weather conditions in the area. Its proximity to Kobe Port and Osaka has also facilitated physical distribution since olden times. Many sake breweries operate in the Nada district, which stretches approximately three kilometers east to west. Some open stores and/or exhibition rooms to the public and allow guests to taste their sake. A couple of them also maintain a museum introducing the process of sake brewing.
7.
Sawanotsuru Sake Museum was opened in 1978 with the aim of commemorating the sake-brewing heritage of the Nada district. It was destroyed by the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 and was subsequently rebuilt in 1999. Visitors can learn about traditional brewing methods and the ingredients involved. English pamphlets are available.
8. Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
Nankinmachi (南京町) is a compact Chinatown in central Kobe and a center of the Chinese community in the Kansai Region. The area was developed by Chinese merchants who settled near Kobe Port after the port was opened to foreign trade in 1868. As the Chinatown developed, it became known as Nankinmachi after Nanjing, the former Chinese capital. Nankinmachi is a popular tourist attraction and shopping and dining district. Two main streets run through the district, meeting each other at a small plaza in the center. They are packed with shops, restaurants and food stands that sell popular items such as steamed buns (manju), ramen, tapioca drinks and various other Chinese dishes, many of which have been Japanized to a certain degree.
9. Sakuramasamune Kinenkan Sakuraen
Sakuramasamune has a small exhibition space which showcases some tools and simple machines used in the past for sake production. There is also a video presentation showing clips of its traditional brewing process. Sake tasting is available at a shop selling its sake brews. There is limited English information at this location.
10. Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Brewery
Hamafukutsuru has won several awards for its high-grade "ginjo" sake. The exhibition space on the second level of the building explains to guests their sake brewing process through diagrams and written information (English available). Visitors are also able to peer through windows to look at brewing machines as they are being used.
11. Kiku-Masamune Shuzo Kinenkan
Kikumasamune Sake Museum is housed in a nice wooden-plaster building. Wooden tools, containers and machinery are exhibited in a room accompanied by atmospheric lighting and traditional music. Well-written pamphlets are available in nine languages.
12. Kobe Shu-shin-kan Breweries
Shushinkan has a large shop selling sake and sake-related products, as well as a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine in combination with sake. Free guided tours of the sake warehouse are held once per day except in December. Sake tasting is available as well.
13. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is, with a length of almost four kilometers, the world's longest suspension bridge. Opened in 1998, it spans the Akashi Strait (Akashi Kaikyo) between Kobe and Awaji Island and is part of the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway, one of three expressways which connect Honshu with Shikoku. The Bridge Exhibition Center at the foot of the Kobe side of the bridge provides well-presented information about the planning and construction of the bridge and about other suspension bridges around the world, although the detailed explanations are available in Japanese only.

ADDITIONAL INFO

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Posted By : Mildred_E
Our kind and patient tour guide was Hiromi.
She helped us navigate the buses and trains effectively and efficiently. The sites were chosen by our family as well as some recommendations by our guide. We took the Ropeway to the herb garden. It's a nice stable and smooth ride with great views of the city below. She recommended a nice restaurant at our last stop where we enjoyed a nice Kobe steak meal. Thank you, Hiro! What a great finish to a wonderful day!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-24 04:21:53

Posted By : 516mildrede
Our kind and patient tour guide was Hiromi. She helped us navigate the buses and trains effectively and efficiently. The sites were chosen by our family as well as some recommendations by our guide. We took the Ropeway to the herb garden. It’s a nice stable and smooth ride with great views of the city below. She recommended a nice restaurant at our last stop where we enjoyed a nice Kobe steak meal. Thank you, Hiro! What a great finish to a wonderful day!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-24 03:49:42

Posted By : cynthiacN8131NB
Ayako was a great tour guide! She was super organized and helpful! She met us right when we got off boat so we didn’t have trouble finding where to go. And she found all the things we were interested in seeing and more!!! She kept in mind what our capability in walking when planing our day. She also kept in touch ahead of trip to guide us! ❤️
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-06-22 07:22:05

Posted By : jenny_s
It was informative and easy to communicate.. we enjoyed our time :) thanks … we saw the same factory making barrels and also China town and walked around it was great
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-04 20:07:25

Posted By : mbowen340
Mr. Yama was our tour guide for this trip. He was very knowledgeable about Kobe and Japan. We visited some temples and homes that were beautiful. Mr. Yama was very spry for a 77 year old man. I am 76 and it was a challenge to keep up with him. At the top of the stairs, he would always be waiting for us. We had a good time seeing Kobe and if anyone wants an excellent guide, I would want Mr. Yama. Always funny, polite and ready to explore. Thanks Viator for such an excellent guide. Thank you Mr. Yama!!!!!! Michael and Mike
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-29 14:25:00

Posted By : Jennifer_R
We had a great tour with Akira. He took us to a lovely place to see the blooming cherry blossoms. It was beautiful. He moved us around on the subway and trains seamlessly.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-13 01:30:33

Posted By : Karen_S
HIRO was an excellent guide! He helped us through the use of the tram and train transportation to Himeji from Kobe. His expertise in explaining the Himeji castle and the surrounding grounds was amazing. He also helped us find the perfect spot for a Japanese lunch! Finally, the tea service at the tea house was indeed special! We were very grateful for his patience and wealth of information.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-02 18:14:57

Posted By : G4669DIkarens
HIRO was amazing ! He guided us to Himeji through the tram and train. His expertise in guiding us through the castle and gardens was greatly appreciated. He made for a perfect excursion!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-01 17:45:43

Posted By : P6796ZPchristiant
Yama-San was a great a knowledgeable guide. Would recommend him as a guide as he is very funny and takes good pictures…..
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-27 03:20:05

Posted By : chiekoc990
Our guide, Yama-san, was knowledgeable of the area and humorous in his explanation. He professionally planned our trip to meet our specific interests and needs. We thoroughly enjoyed our visits to sake breweries Yama-san chose for us (sake maker sang a traditional sake making song for us at Hamafukutsuru) and Nunobiki Herb Garden to see the view of Kobe. We highly recommend Yama-san for your guide when you choose Kobe Tour
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-05 22:58:21

Retrieving available

Tickets

Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Mt. Rokko

2. Shin-Kobe Trail

3. Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park

4. Kitano Ijinkan-gai

5. Kobe Harborland

6. Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

7.

8. Chinatown (Nankinmachi)

9. Sakuramasamune Kinenkan Sakuraen

10. Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Brewery

11. Kiku-Masamune Shuzo Kinenkan

12. Kobe Shu-shin-kan Breweries

13. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Mt. Rokko

2. Shin-Kobe Trail

3. Port of Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park

4. Kitano Ijinkan-gai

5. Kobe Harborland

6. Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum

7.

8. Chinatown (Nankinmachi)

9. Sakuramasamune Kinenkan Sakuraen

10. Hamafukutsuru Ginjo Brewery

11. Kiku-Masamune Shuzo Kinenkan

12. Kobe Shu-shin-kan Breweries

13. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY