TRAVEL | REDISCOVERING THE ELEGANCE AND HARBOR CHARM OF JAPAN’S COSMOPOLITAN PORT CITY WITH THE B KOBE
Kobe, Japan’s elegant port city, has long fascinated travelers with its international atmosphere, scenic harbor views, and the way it combines a modern lifestyle with deep cultural roots..
The city lies between the Seto Inland Sea and the green slopes of the Rokko Mountains, creating a landscape that feels open and welcoming. Kobe’s story began as a small fishing village that grew into one of Japan’s most important ports during the 19th century, when the country opened to international trade. Since then, the city has kept its cosmopolitan character while remaining unmistakably Japanese. My visit to Kobe became especially memorable thanks to my stay at the b kobe, a hotel that connects visitors directly to the pulse of the city. Located in the center of Kobe, close to Sannomiya Station, it offers an ideal base to discover the city’s lively streets, historic districts, and harbor area. The central location meant that almost every place I wanted to visit was within walking distance or just a few stops away by train.
Sannomiya Station is one of Kobe’s most active and convenient areas. It is the city’s main transportation hub, connecting local trains, subways, and buses. Around the station, Kobe’s daily life unfolds in small cafés, department stores, and local restaurants serving everything from sushi to Kobe beef. The area feels both modern and personal, with narrow side streets leading to independent shops and bakeries. Staying near Sannomiya made it easy to move around the city and explore without long travel times. From the hotel, I started my days by walking toward the waterfront. Meriken Park is one of Kobe’s most recognizable places. It was rebuilt after the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 and today stands as a symbol of the city’s renewal. The open park is filled with modern sculptures and installations, such as the “BE KOBE” sign that has become a popular photo spot for locals and visitors alike. The Kobe Maritime Museum and the earthquake memorial are also located there, offering insight into the city’s resilience and its long history as a port. The park’s most visible landmark is the Kobe Port Tower, a red steel structure that rises above the harbor. From its observation deck, I could see the curve of the coastline, the ships in the bay, and the outline of the Rokko Mountains behind the city.
Kobe’s maritime identity is part of everyday life. The port has always been a place of exchange, where Japanese tradition met foreign influence. Western-style buildings still stand near the waterfront, reminders of the international settlement era when merchants from abroad lived and worked in the city. This mix of architectural styles and cultural influences is one of the reasons why Kobe feels different from other Japanese cities. Not far from Meriken Park lies Kobe Harborland, a modern area that combines shopping, dining, and views of the sea. The long promenade is lined with cafés, restaurants, and small boutiques, while the Mosaic complex offers a variety of shops and entertainment. In the evening, the lights from the Ferris wheel and the reflections on the water create a calm but lively atmosphere. It is a place where locals and travelers gather to walk, talk, and enjoy the view of the port.
Back toward the center, Kobe’s Chinatown, Nankinmachi, adds another layer to the city’s international character, also nearby the b kobe hotel. The streets are filled with red lanterns, small temples, and the scent of freshly prepared food. Vendors sell steamed buns, sesame dumplings, and bubble tea to the steady flow of visitors. The area was established in the late 1800s by Chinese merchants who settled in Kobe after the port opened. Today, it remains one of Japan’s most famous Chinatowns and an essential stop for anyone who wants to experience Kobe’s multicultural side. A few minutes from Sannomiya lies Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. According to legend, it dates back more than 1,800 years. The shrine’s bright red buildings stand surrounded by trees, creating a quiet space in the middle of the city. During my visit, I watched people come to offer prayers and tie paper fortunes to the shrine’s racks. It was a reminder of how strongly traditional culture still shapes daily life in Kobe.
the b kobe itself made exploring all these places easy. In the lobby, a relaxed lounge area serves complimentary coffee, a simple but welcome detail before starting the day. The staff offered helpful advice for sightseeing and local transportation, and the hotel provides luggage storage and a small selection of city maps. Breakfast included both Japanese and Western options, with dishes such as Takoyaki and small Japanese sweets that reflected the local taste. It was a nice way to begin the morning and get a sense of the region’s food culture.
Kobe is a city where you can feel both movement and calm. The streets around Sannomiya are full of life, while the waterfront offers open space and sea air. On clear days, the views of the mountains from the city center are striking. The Rokko Mountains themselves are easy to reach by cable car or bus, and from the top, there are wide views over the entire city and the bay below. Many visitors go up in the evening to see the night lights, which locals call one of Japan’s “Ten Million Dollar Views.”
Outside the main urban area, a short train ride leads to one of Japan’s famous Daibutsu, or Great Buddha statues, located in Nōfukuji Temple. The statue stands quietly among temple buildings and gardens and is a reminder of the country’s long religious history. Visiting it after spending time in the modern parts of Kobe created a sense of balance between past and present. Throughout my stay, I noticed how Kobe’s identity is shaped by openness. The city’s connection to international trade brought diversity, and that diversity still defines its character today. From the Western-style houses of the Kitano district to the small izakaya near the station, Kobe reflects both the outside influences that shaped it and the traditions it has carefully preserved. Staying at the b kobe allowed me to experience the city’s rhythm directly. When I left, I understood why Kobe has always held a special place among Japan’s port cities. It is a city built on exchange, rebuilt through resilience, and defined by a quiet confidence that comes from knowing its place between mountains and sea.
