VISIT KOBE

Weathercock House (formerly the Thomas House) was built as the residence of German trader Gottfried Thomas, who lived in Kobe around 1909.

It was designed by a German architect, Georg de Lalande. Its red brick walls and weathercock on the steeple are cherished as a symbol of the Kitano Ijinkan houses. Extensive restoration was carried out from December 1983 to March 1985 to bring the mansion back to its original state to the extent possible. It is now a designated National Important Cultural Property.

Moegi House was built as a residence of the Consul-General of the United States in 1903 and was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 1980.
It is a wooden two-story clapboard Ijinkan house featuring two forms of bay window (a window space projecting out from the main walls to form a bay).
Luxurious design touches such as a staircase with an arabesque pattern and heavy mantlepieces are seen throughout. The veranda on the second floor offers a wonderful view across the city of Kobe.

A leading Kobe resort park right near downtown that overlooks the city from high in the mountains. In around 10 minutes, the ropeway whisks visitors up to sweeping views of Kobe and Osaka.
The gondolas’ big windows offer views of famous sights including Nunobiki Falls and Gohonmatsu Dam, an Important Cultural Property.
Alighting at an altitude of about 400 meters, you are soon surrounded by the 75,000 herb and flower plants in some 200 species, blooming seasonally in 12 thematic gardens.

Take a lunch break in a restaurant serving up colorful dishes reflecting its herb garden location, in the deluxe café lounge or out on the breezy terrace.

Meriken Park is a seaside gathering place featuring a landmark of the city, Kobe Port Tower and other eye-catching symbolic structures such as the Kobe Maritime Museum.
Get a taste of the “harborside city” in the cool sea breeze, go shopping at neighboring Harborland or board a cruise.

The BE KOBE monument is an especially popular photo spot in Meriken Park, which is always bustling with visitors.
“Be Kobe” is a civic pride message developed for the 20th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake that encapsulates the sense that “the true charm of Kobe is its people.”

Kobe Harborland umie MOSAIC is a large shopping mall with about 230 stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.

This is a good place to while away the day, taking a relaxed lunch in a wide-open seaside location, or taking a post-shopping stroll down the leafy promenade of Seseragi-dori.

The location offers good access: it’s about a 5-minute walk from JR Kobe Station, and popular tourist spots like the cruise ship terminal, Port Tower, and Meriken Park are all within a 10-minute walk.

A variety of cruise boats and ships come and go from Kobe Port every day. Encounter amazing views in the sea breeze. We also have romantic sunset cruises and onboard meal options.

【Cruise ships】

Name	Embarkation point *Notes
THE KOBE CRUISE Concerto	Takahama Berth (in front of Mosaic)  *Meal option available
boh boh KOBE	Kamomeria
Royal Princess	Kamomeria
Gozabune Atakemaru	Kamomeria

Kobe Chinatown counts as one of the top three Chinatowns in Japan, alongside Yokohama and Nagasaki.

It is a popular tourist area lined with Chinese food shops, general stores and restaurants. There are also many restaurants in Nankinmachi and its surrounding area that serve local Kobe specialties like miso-sauce dumplings and butaman (pork buns). In addition, be sure not to miss seasonal events such as the Lunar New Year Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival.