Kobe is a city located between Osaka and Okayama. It is mostly famous for one thing: Kobe beef.
But we chose to spend more time in the city to discover much more than this iconic dish.

Kobe is uniquely set between the sea and the mountains, which makes it a perfect city for viewpoints. In this article, we share our favorite viewpoints in Kobe, each offering a different perspective on the city and its atmosphere.

We recommend spending at least two days in Kobe to fully enjoy it.

1. Kobe Port Tower – the classic viewpoint

The most famous viewpoint in Kobe is, of course, Kobe Port Tower.
The entrance is a bit pricey, but once at the top, you are rewarded with a 360° panoramic view over the city: skyscrapers, the harbor, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.

On the way to the tower, you will walk along the harbor and pass by the Earthquake Memorial Park, which commemorates the Great Hanshin Earthquake of January 17, 1995, which caused major destruction in Kobe and deeply marked the city.

After visiting the tower, you can head to the nearby open-air shopping area to discover local brands and enjoy the lively port atmosphere.

2. Kitano District – a viewpoint with history

Another viewpoint we highly recommend is a walk through the Kitano district.
This area is famous for its Western-style houses, built during the period when Kobe was one of Japan’s main international ports. Several of these houses can be visited.

For a beautiful view over the city, climb up to the small temple Kitano Tenman Shrine near the tourist information center. From there, you get a lovely panorama over Kobe’s rooftops.

In this district, we recommend visiting Moegi House and Rhine House, and along the way, you can also collect one of the famous Japanese stamps (goshuin).

3. Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Waterfalls – nature above the city

Our third favorite viewpoint is the Nunobiki Herb Gardens, accessible by cable car.
The cable car station is located near Shin-Kobe Station, and the ride costs around … €.

We chose to take the cable car up only, then walk down through the botanical garden and continue on foot to the Nunobiki waterfalls. The garden has a very European atmosphere, with terraces built on the slope of the mountain. Everything goes downhill, making the walk easy and enjoyable, and the flowers and plants are beautiful.

At the end of the garden, keep walking down the trail to reach the waterfalls. They are very accessible, and while many people hike up from the station, combining the waterfalls with the botanical garden is, in our opinion, the best option.

Final tips

Kobe is often overlooked or reduced to its beef, but these viewpoints show a city that is diverse, scenic, and surprisingly relaxed. Of course, these are not the only viewpoints in Kobe. The city offers many more stunning spots, such as Mount Rokko or the famous Kikuseidai viewpoint on Mount Maya, especially impressive at sunset or at night. Whether you prefer city views, nature, or sea landscapes, Kobe has plenty of viewpoints to explore, making it a destination well worth more than a simple stopover.