Kobe’s harbour and beef, Himeji Castle and the canal-side hot-spring town of Kinosaki.
Kobe and Himeji are on the Sanyo Shinkansen and JR lines from Osaka, so they combine easily in one day. Kinosaki deserves an overnight stay.
JapaLens editorial guide · Read in about 5 minutesWalk the waterfront at Harborland and Meriken Park, the Kitano district of Western-style houses and Nankinmachi Chinatown. The Rokko and Arima hot springs are nearby, and Kobe beef restaurants are everywhere.
Shin-Kobe (Shinkansen) and Sannomiya (city centre) are different stations, one subway stop apart.
Read this area guide →Himeji Castle, called the White Heron Castle, is a World Heritage site and National Treasure with an original keep. Koko-en garden is next to it.
The castle is a 15–20 minute walk up the main street from Himeji Station. The keep has steep stairs; shoes are removed inside.
Read this area guide →Kinosaki has seven public bathhouses along a willow-lined canal. Guests stroll between them in yukata and geta; most inns give a free pass. Snow crab season is November to March.
Limited expresses run from Kyoto and Osaka in about 2.5 hours.
Read this area guide →An editorial route idea, not a timed tour. Adjust it for weather, opening days and your walking pace.
Himeji Castle in the morning.
Lunch near Himeji Station, then Koko-en garden.
Train to Kobe; Kitano or the harbour.
Kobe beef dinner in Sannomiya.
Try Kobe beef, akashiyaki dumplings, Kinosaki snow crab and Nada sake.
Stay in Kobe’s Sannomiya area for dining, Arima Onsen for a quick hot spring, or Kinosaki for the bathhouse experience.
JR shinkaisoku trains link Osaka, Kobe and Himeji; the Sanyo Shinkansen is faster. Limited expresses serve Kinosaki.
