Things to do in

Kobe

Spend the day with a local host and discover the true nature of Kobe and its staggering food scene. Within 24 hours after booking, receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host who will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to show you what makes the city unique. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do. Discover one of Kobe's eclectic neighborhoods, exploring the thriving Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street and indulge in authentic cuisine while soaking up the vibe in Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown. Scale the Kobe Port Tower, where you can see the city's sweeping skyline highlighted by the neon, which casts its colors across Kobe. Or take a trip to Mount Rokko Garden Terrace, where you can breathe in the fresh alpine air, sit down for lunch in the terraced garden and enjoy magnificent sunset views of the city from the observatory deck. Discover hidden gems along the way, like the smaller shrines and historic streets that many visitors miss - but not you! Heads up - there are tons of weird, wacky and fun places hidden between the hotspots on your hit list that your host can’t wait to share with you. The only thing you have to do is tell your host what you want to do and see. That could mean strolling along the Maiko Marine Promenade on a sunny day, or crossing the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - just be sure to look down as the floors are made of glass. You could amble up (or take a cable car) to the top of Mount Rokko, visit the Kobe Maritime Museum, or explore Chinatown, where you’ll find all manner of unusual delicacies to try!

Arima Onsen is home to one of the oldest and the best hot springs in Japan, dating back to 631 AD. The Arima Onsen was originally established as a place of healing with a deep connection to Buddhism. 26 different types of baths are available. You can also take part in a "bedrock bathing" experience, to savor the Kinsen (gold) and Ginsen (silver) waters that make Arima Onsen so special. Take advantage of easy access to the Onsen from major stations in Osaka with this combo ticket. This all-in-one pass includes your Taiko-no-yu admission ticket, and a railway pass.  There are two railway passes to choose from: Hankyu Railway Pass Main Stations: Kyoto Kawaramachi, Arashiyama, Osaka Umeda, Kobe Sannomiya Includes all lines of the Hankyu Railway, and the Kobe Kosoku Line (Kobe Sannomiya Station-Minatogawa Station) Hanshin Railway Pass Main Stations: Osaka Umeda, Osaka Namba, Kobe Sannomiya Includes all lines of the Hanshin Railway, the Kobe Kosoku Line (Motomachi Station-Minatogawa Station), and Shintetsu train (Minatogawa Station-Arima Onsen Station)

Explore the Kansai region, the spiritual heart of Japan which is home to some of the country's most interesting cities. Once you’ve picked up your pass, you’ll be able to ride the JR West railways and buses throughout the Kansai region down to Hiroshima.  Discover the vibrant city of Osaka and its amazing food scene. Visit the ancient temples and shrines of Kyoto. See Nara's natural beauty, try the beef in Kobe, visit Himeji castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or connect with nature in the forests and waterfalls of Wakayama. Walk the UNESCO Kumano Kodo in Kishi, admire the best dunes in Tottori, relax in the Kinosaki Onsen's hot spring, or take amazing photos in the top Japanese garden of Okayama's Korakuen.  Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima by ferry. Take the road-less traveled and use the JR West bus network to see cities such as Kyoto, Shiga, Tsuruga, and Iga-Ueno.

Pre-book a 1 or 2-day car rental in Kobe and benefit from a stress-free and seamless car rental service. Simply pick up your reserved car from the rental office at Shin-Kobe Station, start the engine, and begin your driving journey to discover the best of Kobe and nearby Osaka. The rental duration for a 1-day rental is 12 hours and you can pick up the car any time during their opening hour (8:00 AM - 10:30 PM). The rental duration for a 2- day rental is 36 hours. For additional convenience, you can also drop-off the car in the Osaka or Shin-Osaka Station office at no additional cost.

Discover Kobe on this city walking tour with a local guide. Decide where to go and experience Japanese culture and cuisine in a tour tailored to your needs and interests. 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 who will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover Kobe. Indulge in freedom as you choose the locations and sites you want to visit. You can check out the most famous sights in the city like the Ikuta Shrine and Kobe Port Tower. Scale the Kobe Port Tower and see the city's sweeping skyline. Discover eclectic neighborhoods by visiting the Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street or Kobe's Chinatown called Nankinmachi. Another option is to explore nature by traveling through the coastlines and vast mountain ranges that embrace Kobe. Take a trip to Mount Rokko Garden Terrace where you can breathe in the fresh alpine air and sit down for lunch. No matter how many hours you dedicate to this tour, the choice is all yours as you experience Kobe throughout the day.

Re-live the moments of the popular anime series, Naruto and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. Step into the fantasy world of your favorite characters, take part in ninja challenges, and throw some shuriken.  Hop on the bus departing from Kobel and get the chance to meet Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Itachi, and many more. Be welcomed by life-size Naruto characters, who will take you into the world of the Japanese anime series. Try delicious ramen and see the reproduction of Hokage Rock.  Apart from exploring the park, you will also experience Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Walk across the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the world, at 1,991 meters (6,532 feet or 1,237 miles). Enjoy the scenic view from the bridge.

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer with a 24-hour service between Osaka Kansai Airport and your accommodation in Kobe city center.  Be greeted by your driver who will be waiting for you at the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Your driver will track your flight so you won't have to worry in case of a flight delay. Save yourself having to carry heavy bags and navigating the public transportation system and take comfort knowing that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high-quality standards.

Venture out from Osaka on day trip that gives you history, relaxation, and fun, all with the comfort and luxury of a private vehicle, tour guide, and door-to-door transportation. Customize your itinerary to your preferences and discover the gems of the Kansai region. Discover the mysteries of Himeji Castle, a feat of engineering and one of Japan's most elegant castles still standing today. Let your English-speaking guide take you into the castle buildings, providing you with stories and facts that make for a much richer experience than could be obtained on your own. Learn what rooms were used for what, all about defensive strategies, the role of concubines, and of course how the castle was designed to thwart invasion. Leave Himeji Castle and take a lunch break before heading off to Arima Onsen or central Kobe for some afternoon sights and relaxation. Feel restored by the therapeutic, mineral rich waters of Arima Onsen as others have done for over 1,300 years. Sense how your mind becomes more at ease and your skin smoother after the experience. Then, take a lovely stroll around the town, with shops and food vendors pleasantly scattered about. For those not quite so interested in hot springs, opt instead to explore the coastal areas of Kobe City at no additional cost. Choose from a number of local highlights according to your interests, including a well-known sake (Japanese rice wine) producer, where you can learn how the product is made and get some free samples. See the Western-style area of Kyu Kyoryuchi with its well-preserved houses dating back to the late 1800s.

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer with a 24-hour service between Osaka (Itami) Airport and your accommodation in Kobe city center.  Be greeted by your driver who will be waiting for you at the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Your driver will track your flight so you won't have to worry in case of a flight delay. Save yourself having to carry heavy bags and navigating the public transportation system and take comfort knowing that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high-quality standards.

Buy a ticket for the only regular ferry route between Japan's main island and Awaji island. It takes about 13 minutes between Akashi Port on the mainland to Iwaya Port on Awaji island. Enjoy the ferry passing under the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which has the longest central span of any suspension bridge in the world. Enjoy the beautiful scenery between the bridges. Once you have arrived on Awaji Island, beautiful nature, historic culture, abundant cuisine, and countless hot springs will be awaiting you.  You can also travel in the opposite direction, from Awaji to the mainland.