Top Kobe Historical Tours

Discovering a new city, especially one like beautiful Kobe, is exciting but it's even more fun when you get to do it with a friend by your side. That is exactly what it will feel like as you explore Kobe with one of our hosts from the area. Visit Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, or amble up Mt. Rokko. You could also venture beyond Mount Rokko to the outdoor hot springs of Arima Onsen. Kobe is a hive of activity, from fine dining to downtown shopping, animal petting, so get ready for an adventure. adventure awaits. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

This is a virtual tour using Zoom, online conference system. This unique 1h tour brings you to one of the most beautiful and popular cities in Japan, Kobe and surrounding hot spring resort, Arima. The friendly host will make your experience more interactive. We use not only photos or videos but also handmade materials or actual goods from guides' living room, that makes you feel livelier. You can ask them anything about Japan, Kobe and other popular tourists spots by chat or by talk session between and after the tour. This tour will provide helpful hints for your future trip to Japan. PLEASE NOTE the tour time is Japan standard time. Make adjustment to your time when booking. We'll send you Zoom URL invitation and you can enter the room easily.

City tours are great for first-time visits but often have rigid itineraries and tight schedules. This tour offers the chance to design a completely custom family-friendly itinerary with a local host assigned to you based on your interests. Highlights can include riding a cable car up Mount Rokko, visiting Arima Onsen Hot Springs, or checking out the Oji Zoo. Once the tour begins, you’re free to change destinations as you see fit.

You’ll spend the day with one of our hosts discovering the true nature of Kobe - and there is plenty of nature to see, the city is wedged between sweeping coastlines and vast mountain ranges after all. Explore the thriving Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street and indulge in authentic cuisine in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown. Scale the Kobe Port Tower, where you can see the city's sweeping skyline highlighted by the neon, and discover hidden gems along the way, like the smaller shrines and historic streets that many visitors miss - but not you! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Arima Onsen (hot spring) is famous as the oldest hot spring resort in Japan. The high quality of the spring water still attracts people, and many tourists from Japan and abroad come to spend a relaxing time in the old-fashioned streets. In this tour, you can experience the deeper Arima culture by strolling around the hot spring town. There are two main types of onsen sources in Arima Onsen: the reddish-brown "Kinsen" (Gold hot spring) and the carbonated "Ginsen" (silver hot spring). It is said to be very rare to find two hot springs with completely different ingredients gushing out in the same area. At some of the spots, you can see the source gushing out, touch it, and drink it. We will introduce you to the mechanism of the source, and visit stores that sell Japan's first cider, which developed from carbonated water, and specialty rice crackers, to show you all the charm of Arima Onsen. Join this tour of the highlights of Arima Onsen and experience Japan's hot spring culture!

This Kobe tour is a great pick for travelers who want the freedom to be able to customize their own itinerary. No need to worry about doing hours of research—before the tour, a list of potential sights are sent to you, which you can choose from to help finalize your itinerary. Then, on the day of the tour, enjoy the luxury of a private adventure for just your group.

Kobe is known worldwide for its eponymous beef, but there’s more to this city’s food scene than this prized meat. On this private tour, you’ll be matched with a food-loving local host who will devise a food-focused itinerary that suits your taste and eating style. Sample multiple foods, as well as beer, sake, and Japanese soft drinks.

In the north, the mountain. In the south, the sea... In the middle, you! Visiting this so beautiful city. We will discover together Kobe, from the north to the south. History, fashion and modernity are melting in this so picturesque city.

Take the train to Osaka with your local host to soak up the city’s history at Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha – one of the oldest shrines in Japan – or dive into its kaleidoscopic modern culture in the central entertainment districts of Dōtonbori and Namba, where animatronic signs and buzzing restaurants line the canals. Maybe you’ll experience Osaka’s food culture, feasting on takoyaki at a ramshackle izakaya in Hozenji Yokocho alleyway, or simply grabbing street eats in retro shopping district Shinsekai on your way to Tsūtenkaku Tower. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

How about spending an elegant time in a retro western building? Kobe has been flourishing as a port town since about 1000 years ago, and especially from around 200 years ago, it started to receive the western culture. There are still many buildings made from brick and stone built by wealthy men and large companies in the last century. You will visit the famous tourist spots among those historical buildings on this tour! Each of the spots is unique such as a red western building in a Japanese garden and a building with a beautiful contrast of green and white. Your otomo guide will tell you about the historical backgrounds of the buildings! Don’t forget to book your tour!

Kobe is one of Japan's most fashionable areas and known for having an unusual mix of cultures. This walking tour will take you to some of the must-visit places in Kobe alongside a private guide who will help you to better understand Kobe’s cultural background. Kobe's diverse culture is rooted in its history as a cosmopolitan city that has always adopted and developed new things. Kobe has prospered since the Middle Ages as a key point for domestic shipping, but its role as a residential area was limited and, consequently, there was no indigenous culture to speak of. The opening of the country to the outside world in 1853 led to the establishment of foreign settlements and the influx of Western culture. It absorbed and mixed the foreign cultures that came in with the opening of the country, and nurtured its own unique culture. Today, the city thrives as one of the leading international cities in Japan, thanks to its abundant flow of international cultural exchange.

This private and customizable tour for Kobe is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

Take the train to Kyoto with your local host, and discover another side of Japanese culture in its 8th-century capital. Explore the cobbled streets of traditional entertainment district Gion, see the famous flame-colored tunnel of Fushimi Inari Shrine, or visit the Arashiyama bamboo grove in western Kyoto. At dusk, when the city’s iconic paper lanterns are lit, you could even spot a mesmerizing geisha floating through the streets. Whatever you decide, you’ll discover more than just the Kyoto in your guidebook. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Kobe is famous for its cityscape and beautiful harbor views. However, these are not the only attractions of Kobe. Why don't you take a deeper look into the history of Kobe and the lives of the locals? Kobe has many historical sites left behind, especially the canals that have remained over 100 years. Also, there are still many old shopping streets in Kobe, such as butcher shops and grocery stores where locals go shopping. Furthermore, you can feel the daily life at taverns crowded with the locals. This tour will take you to temples and museums where you can learn about the history of Kobe, and to restaurants where you can taste local food loved by the local people! You can see one of the three largest Buddhas in Japan at a temple, which closely relates to the development of Kobe's port. We recommend this plan for those who want to know more about Kobe.

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 six-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.

You’ll spend the day with one of our hosts discovering the true nature of Kobe - and there is plenty of nature to see, the city is wedged between sweeping coastlines and vast mountain ranges after all. Explore the thriving Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street and indulge in authentic cuisine in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown. Scale the Kobe Port Tower, where you can see the city's sweeping skyline highlighted by the neon, and discover hidden gems along the way, like the smaller shrines and historic streets that many visitors miss - but not you! Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

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.

Make your own adventure in Kobe, one of Japan’s most historic port cities, during this fully-customizable private tour by chartered vehicle. Travel aboard your own limo, bus or van as you soak up some of Kobe's most picturesque views and unique attractions. Among the sights and activities you might choose are the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Nunobiki Herb Garden and Ropeway or a scenic Kobe sightseeing port cruise. The choice is up to you. A driver, private vehicle and round-trip hotel transport are all included.

From Kobe Port your host could lead the way to Sannomiya, the center of Kobe’s youth culture, or a little more inland to retro Shinkaichi’s quirky shopping areas and quaint cafes. You could discover Nankinmachi (Kobe’s Chinatown), barbecue your own Kobe beef, or pray for love at the 3rd-century Ikuta Shrine. The city’s natural beauty isn’t hard to find – at the famous Rokko mountain range you could hike pristine forest trails, soak in the Arima hot springs, or take the Rokko cable car to the summit for views all the way to Osaka!  Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

If you are visiting Kobe for the first time, chances are you want to find your feet amid the colorful sights and smiling faces of this special city. You probably want to get right to exploring so why not let one of our hosts, a savvy local, show you the ropes so that you can begin your adventure? You could check out top attractions, explore the area you are staying in or just wander the streets. Plan B- grab your host and head down to a restaurant where you can sit down to a meal and get the inside scoop on where to go and how to get there. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Hike Mt. Rokko with a National Licensed Guide Interpreter, who is also a tea ceremony instructor. The walk includes visits to Buddhist temples and a waterfall. The highlights of the tour are "Zen Meditation" and "Tea Ceremony" experience out in nature. You can feel the Japanese traditional philosophy of "Being one with nature" throughout the tour. ・5 hours of hiking at Mt. Rokko, one of the most famous mountains in Japan, located close to Kyoto and Osaka. ・Stopping at attractive places: unexplored temples and a representative waterfall in Kobe. ・Experiences of “Zen Meditation” and “Tea Ceremony”! You can feel the Japanese traditional philosophy of “Being one with nature”. ・Tea ceremony master, who is also a National Licensed Guide Interpreter, will guide you. ・You will have an unforgettable trip of off-the-beaten-track Japan that other tourists cannot have.

At 5:46 a.m. on January 17, 1995, an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude occurred, which no one had expected. Today, Kobe is known as a sophisticated city, but there is a long story behind. The theme of this tour is to know the strength of the people who experienced the earthquake and the history of reconstruction. You will learn about the scale of the actual earthquake and its devastation, and you will be able to see the difference between the way Kobe was then and how it is now. Furthermore, the major tourist spots in Kobe are also symbols of the reconstruction, so this tour will not only take you to famous tourist spots but will also give you a deeper understanding of the history of the city. Japan is an earthquake-prone island nation, and we never know when we will be struck by such a disaster again. Take a trip with your private guide to reflect on the trajectory of the earthquake and recovery.

This private and customizable tour for Kobe is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.

We introduce you to a tour of Kobe, one of Japan's most famous port cities, where you can capture some of the most beautiful scenery! The city of Kobe developed rapidly from a farming village with sprawling fields as the Port of Kobe was opened in the modern era and trade with foreign countries began. The city topography limits the amount of land you can live on due to the proximity of the sea and mountains, and the buildings are lined up along the slopes. Looking out to sea, cruise ships and transport ships come and go, and unique buildings such as the Port Tower and Harbor Land attract the eye in the harbor. Many tourists come to Kobe to enjoy the beautiful scenery. If you look towards the mountains, you will find many Western-style buildings that are deeply influenced by foreign cultures, and walking the streets will make you feel as if you have gone back in time. Why don't you join us for a photo tour that will leave you with memories of your visit to Kobe?