Whether you enjoy watching or playing sports – or both – Kobe has all you need. The mountain backdrops are paradise for hikers, trail runners and cyclists and Mount Rokko is also home to Japan’s very first golf course. The Kobe Sports Park caters to baseball and athletics and the Kobe Marathon, established since 2010, invites around 20,000 runners to enjoy a beautiful loop course along the coastline. The local soccer team, Vissel Kobe, has world-class European talent and regularly sells out home games, while Kobe’s rugby team features ex-All Black players, and won the 2018-19 Top League title! Kobe is also a Rugby World Cup 2019 host city.

Rugby

The Kobelco Steelers, a prestigious club team owned by Kobe Steel, won Japan’s Top League for the second time in 2018-19. The core of the team features the cream of Japanese rugby talent, supplying many players for the national side, alongside key foreign players – ex All-Blacks among them. Kobe is also a Rugby World Cup 2019 host city!

Soccer

Kobe is home to Vissel Kobe, who play in the J1 league and have recently attracted international soccer players like Andreas Iniesta, David Villa and Lukas Podolski. Home games are played at the Kobe Misaki Stadium, which accommodates up to around 28,000 people.

Golf

Did you know the very first golf course in Japan was built on Kobe’s Mount Rokko in 1903? And that Hyogo Prefecture has more than 100 golf courses? You’ll also find driving ranges just one hour from Central Kobe, Sannomiya. So let’s tee off!

Marathon

Kobe hosted the first-ever marathon in Japan in March 1909. The modern Kobe Marathon has been held each November since 2010, over a beautiful looped coastline course from Sannomiya to Maiko and back, featuring sea views and attracting some 20,000 runners each year. Foreign runners also welcome!

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