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Getting Around Kobe

Kobe is one of the Kansai region's three major cities. The central areas can be explored on foot, but trains, taxis, and buses allow you to cover more ground quickly and easily. Here are all the detai

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How To Get To Kobe

Located about 30km west of Osaka and 64km west of Kyoto, Kobe is easily reached by multiple train lines from Osaka and Kyoto. It's also easy to get to Kobe from Tokyo. Read on for all the details. ![

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Kobe Cherry Blossoms

With lush mountains, public parks, and beautiful gardens, Kobe is a lovely place for enjoying Japan's famous cherry blossoms. Here is a list of the best spots in the city and information on when the c

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Kobe Districts

Located about 30km west of Osaka and 64km west of Kyoto, Kobe is a great day trip or overnight destination. Here, we'll introduce the main sightseeing districts in Kobe. ![Kobe port and skyline](http

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Kobe Fall Foliage

With many beautiful public parks and open green spaces, Kobe is a great place to see Japan's famous autumn colours. Here is a list of the best spots in the city and information on timing. ![View from

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Kobe Gyu Ramen Yazawa

Appropriately for Kobe, Gyu Ramen Yazawa serves up delicious beef ramen dishes simmered in a choice of broth. This Sannomiya-based restaurant lives up to its reputation. ![Kobe Gyu Ramen Yazawa](http

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Kobe Gyu Takakura

September 2024: Please note Kobe Gyu Takakura is now permanently closed. Please see Places to Eat in Kobe page for other restaurants in the area. Kobe Gyu Takakura is a s

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Kobe Hotels

Kobe has a wide range of hotels and guesthouses catering to all budgets. Here, we introduce the main hotels located in central Kobe (in the main districts of the city). ![Hotel Okura Kobe](https://ph

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Kobe Itineraries

Kobe is a great city to explore over several days, or if you're pressed for time, even as a day trip from another city in the Kansai region. Our one-day and two-day itineraries allow you to make the b

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Kobe Map

Use InsideKyoto.com's comprehensive Kobe map to help locate Kobe attractions, places to eat, accommodation, shopping and more View the [full size version of the InsideKyoto.com Kobe Google map](https

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Kobe Ryokan

If you're staying in Kobe and looking for accommodation, why not try the ryokan experience? The city has a number of these traditional Japanese inns, some with the added benefit of excellent hot sprin

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Kobe Steak Restaurant Mouriya Honten

As the name suggests, Kobe Steak Restaurant Mouriya Honten is a well-established teppanyaki steakhouse in the Sannomiya part of Kobe, that's been in business for over 130 years. ![Kobe Steak Restaura

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Places To Eat In Kobe

Cosmopolitan port city Kobe has a great selection of restaurants in all budget ranges, across all genres. Whether you want to indulge in gorgeously marbled Kobe beef or gorge yourself on toothsome pas

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Kobe Travel Guide 2025: Top Attractions, Food, & Sightseeing Tips

Kobe is renowned for its world-famous tender beef and the breathtaking views from Mount Rokko, making it a must-visit destination in Japan. Beyond these highlights, the city boasts a lively sake cultu

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Steakland Kobe Kan

If you're keen to try Kobe beef but are on a stricter budget, Steakland Kobe-kan in the Sannomiya district is here for you. One of the most affordable restaurants in the city but also a fun experience

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Things To Do In Kobe

Kobe makes a great city for a day out or for more extensive exploration over several days. We've selected our must-do highlights for a quick trip, along with plenty of choices for a deeper dive. ![Hy

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Kyoto Travel Guide: Essential Tips for Your First Visit

Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan, where ancient temples, serene gardens, and geisha culture come together to create an unforgettable travel experience. This comprehensive Kyoto guide will help

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Getting Money In Kyoto

In Japan, you'll use an IC card for local transport and small purchases, and a credit card for big purchases (hotels etc). But you still need some Japan

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How To Get From Tokyo To Kyoto

You can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over 2 hours on the fastest shinkansen (bullet train). It's possible to go by overnight bus too. Here's our breakdown of how it all works. ![Nozomi shinkanen c

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Im Dreaming Of White New Year

New Year's is the most important festival/holiday of the Japanese year. It's like Christmas and Thanksgiving all rolled into one. This is the time when families gather to feast and visit their local t

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Best Budget Hotels In Nara

There's plenty of quality cheap accommodation in Nara. Here I've listed what I consider to be the best budget hotels and guesthouses in Nara, all of which I've personally inspected. This Japanese-sty

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Best Luxury Hotels In Nara

Nara only has a few luxury hotels. Here are my personal recommendations. Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi Wow! The Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi is a superb Japanes

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Kyoto With Children

Kyoto is a fantastic place to visit with children: it's safe, clean and easy to get around. But, needless to say, it takes a bit of planning to keep your children happy -- after all, not every child i

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Best Time To Go To Nara

What is the best time of year to visit Nara? What's the weather like in Nara month by month? Here, I'll give you all the answers. ![Tea House, Yoshiki-en Gardens, Nara - image copyright Damien Douxch

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Best Mid Range Hotels In Nara

If you're looking for somewhere comfortable to stay without breaking the bank, Nara has a great range of mid-range hotels to choose from. I've personally inspected each of these properties. Located d

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Getting Around Nara

Nara is a very compact city that can easily be explored on foot. However, if you'd like to visit some of the sights around the city, you'll need to take a bus, train or taxi. Here's my guide to gettin

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How To Get To Nara

Nara is within easy day trip distance of cities like Kyoto and Osaka. It's also very close to Kansai International Airport. In this section, I give the best, fastest and cheapest ways to reach Nara fr

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Nara Annual Festivals Events

Nara has some truly spectacular annual festivals and events. Here's my rundown of the main Nara festivals and events which are definitely worth seeing if you can. ![Wakakusa](https://photos.smugmug.c

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Nara Cherry Blossoms

Nara is a fantastic place to enjoy Japan's famous cherry blossoms. The parks, gardens, temples and shrines of the city are studded with cherry trees. Here is information on timing and a list of the be

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Nara Districts

Nara has hundreds of fascinating sights to explore. Most are located in a few main sightseeing districts. In this section, I'll give you a full run-down of Nara's main sightseeing districts. ![Nigats

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