Photo by Sue Winston on Unsplash
Kobe's shrine, Kitano and harbour with a Kobe beef lunch, a day at Himeji Castle and Mount Shosha, then an Arima hot-spring soak and Mt Rokko at sunset.
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- Day 19 am – 7:30 pm · 6 stops
- 9 am 1Ikuta ShrineKobe
A five-minute walk from Sannomiya Station and one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines; a quiet first stop before the city wakes up (Travely Notes, Travel Stained). Free to enter.
10 min walk · 750 m - 9:50 am 2Kitano Ijinkan: the Weathercock HouseKobe
Uphill from Sannomiya, Kitano is the hillside quarter of 19th-century Western merchants' houses; the 1909 Weathercock House is its landmark (Travely Notes; Kitano Ijinkan official). Open 9:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:45, closed the 3rd Tuesday of the month; adult entry ¥500. Combination tickets cover several houses.
13 min walk · 950 m - 11:15 am 3Kobe beef teppanyaki lunch at Steakland KobeKobe
The budget Kobe beef counter near Sannomiya that travellers keep recommending: lunch is far cheaper than dinner for the same beef, from about ¥3,500 for a Kobe beef set (Travely Notes, Travel Stained). Opens 11:00; arrive early or book, as a queue forms by 12:30 on weekends.
8 min by train or taxi · 2.5 km - 1 pm 4Nunobiki Herb Gardens by ropewayKobe
Ride the ropeway up for views over the city and bay, then wander the terraced gardens; allow a couple of hours (Travely Notes). Round trip with garden entry ¥2,500 by day. Autumn weekdays the last ride down is 17:15; weekends stay open into the evening. Riding up and walking down past Nunobiki Falls is a good alternative.
8 min by train or taxi · 3.5 km - 4:45 pm 5Harbour walk to Meriken ParkKobe
Walk the waterfront to the BE KOBE sign and the red Port Tower, reopened in 2024, as the harbour lights come on (Travely Notes). Free.
7 min walk · 550 m - 6:15 pm 6Street-food dinner in NankinmachiKobe
Kobe's Chinatown is five minutes from Meriken Park; graze the stalls for buns and dumplings, then catch the train at Motomachi (Travely Notes). Many stalls wind down in the early evening, so don't leave it late.
- Day 29 am – 4:30 pm · 4 stops
- 9 am 7Himeji CastleHimeji
Japan's best-preserved original castle, about 40 minutes from Sannomiya by JR. Be at the gate at 9:00 opening, before the tour groups (The Navigatio, Flip Japan). Non-resident adults ¥2,500 since March 2026, under 18 free; ¥2,600 with Koko-en. Last entry 16:00; closed Dec 29 and 30. Shoes come off in the keep, so wear thick socks and carry a bag for them (official site).
6 min walk · 450 m - 11:40 am 8Koko-en GardenHimeji
Nine walled Edo-style gardens beside the castle moat; November maples make this the best month for it (The Navigatio). Buy the castle combination ticket (¥2,600) rather than paying twice (official site).
14 min walk · 1.1 km - 12:50 pm 9Lunch near Himeji StationHimeji
Eat around the station before the Shinki bus to Mount Shosha leaves from the terminal there (Flip Japan). Plenty of choice along Otemae-dori between the castle and the station.
12 min by train or taxi · 7.4 km - 1:50 pm 10Engyo-ji on Mount ShoshaHimeji
A thousand-year-old mountain temple complex in old forest, where The Last Samurai was filmed; see the Maniden and the Three Halls (Flip Japan, Tourist in Japan). Shinki bus from Himeji Station (about 30 min), then the 4-minute ropeway; a bus plus ropeway round trip is ¥1,700, temple entry ¥500. From Oct 11 the last ropeway down on weekdays is 17:00, earlier than you'd think; Sundays vary.
- Day 39:30 am – 5:50 pm · 5 stops
- 9:30 am 11Soak at Kin no Yu, Arima OnsenKobe
One of Japan's oldest hot-spring towns, 30 to 40 minutes from Sannomiya by subway and Shintetsu, or a 25-minute express bus. Kin no Yu is the public bath of rust-coloured 'gold' water (japan-guide, Hyogo Tourism). Open 8:00 to 22:00, closed the 2nd and 4th Tuesday; ¥800, less on weekdays. Two-bath ticket with Gin no Yu ¥1,200 (official).
3 min walk · 0 m - 11 am 12Arima onsen-town lanes and lunchKobe
Wander the steep lanes around the baths and eat in town before heading up the mountain (Hyogo Tourism, japan-guide).
8 min by train or taxi · 2.0 km - 1:30 pm 13Rokko-Arima Ropeway up the mountainKobe
A 12-minute ride over the ridge from Arima to the top of Mt Rokko (Hidden Japan Gems, Kansai One Pass). Fares reported differ, so check at the station; autumn hours end around 17:30.
8 min by train or taxi · 1.7 km - 2 pm 14Rokko Garden Terrace till sunsetKobe
Free terraces with the view over Kobe and Osaka Bay; stay for dusk, when the city lights come on. November sunset is about 17:00. Bring a layer, as it's cool and breezy on top, and check the last cable car and bus times (Hidden Japan Gems).
21 min walk · 1.6 km - 5:30 pm 15Rokko Cable Car down to KobeKobe
A 10-minute ride down (¥800 one way), reopened in April 2026 after renewal, then a city bus to Rokko or Rokkomichi station (Hidden Japan Gems). The summit bus links the terrace to the cable car top station.