COMPLETE GUIDE: WHERE TO WANDER AROUND KOBE, JAPAN

Dengan lokasi yang mudah (dan murah) diakses dari Osaka, Jepang; Kobe adalah salah satu pilihan one day tour saat berkunjung ke Osaka. Kobe dapat menjadi pilihan jika anda tidak terlalu suka kota yang terlalu ramai, namun tetap dapat menikmati pertokoan, cafe-cafe di pinggir jalan dan berbagai attractions lainnya.

With a convenient (and cheap) location that can accessed from Osaka, Japan; Kobe is one of the choices for one day tour during a visit to Osaka. Kobe may be an option if you don't really like a city that is too crowded, yet still be able to enjoy shopping, the cafes on the road and various other attractions.

Meski memiliki pengaruh Eropa yang kuat di beberapa sisi, Kobe tetap punya citarasa Jepang. Gerbang torii merah di berbagai kuil, masakan-masakan Jepang yang menarik dan tentunya area pertokoan yang sangat terasa Jepang dari segi tampilan hingga barang-barang menarik yang seakan memanggil untuk dibawa pulang ke Indonesia.

Despite having a strong European influence on several sides, Kobe still has a taste of Japan. Red torii gates at various shrines, Japanese dishes are interesting and of course shopping areas that are so 'Japan' in terms of the display and interesting items that seemed to call to be brought home to Indonesia.

 

Kobe yang merupakan kota pelabuhan memang menerima banyak sekali pengaruh dari transaksi ekonomi yang berlangsung sejak dulu, membawa pengaruh dari pedagang dan saudagar dari berbagai belahan dunia yang kini terlihat bahkan pada beberapa area Kobe sepert Kitano-cho hingga Kobe Chinatown.

Kobe is a port city did receive a lot of influences from economic transactions that took place long ago, bringing the influence of traders and merchants from all around the world which are now seen even in some Kobe areas like Kitano-cho to Kobe Chinatown.

Kobe memberikan berbagai pilihan destinasi dengan rasa yang berbeda, ketenangan di wilayah perbukitan, kota yang sibuk di area Sannomiya di malam hari, city scape dengan bangunan ikonik di area Harborland hingga cafe-cafe stylish di Akashimachi. Kobe tentunya memberikan banyak pilihan dengan lokasi yang berdekatan dan mudah dijangkau.

Kobe provides a wide selection of destinations with different flavors, tranquility in the hills, busy city in the area of Sannomiya at night, city scape with iconic buildings in the area Harborland to stylish cafes in Akashimachi. Kobe certainly provides many options and which are located close to each other and easy to reach.

GETTING THERE

From Osaka:

Cara termudah untuk menuju Kobe dari Osaka adalah dengan naik kereta. Ada beberapa pilihan: JR Special Rapid Service atau JR Kobe Line Rapid Service ke arah JR Sannomiya (Waktu tempuh 23 atau 28 menit, harga tiket ¥410)

The easiest way to get to Kobe from Osaka is to take a train. There are several options: JR Special Rapid Service or JR Kobe Line Rapid Service toward JR Sannomiya (It takes 23 or 28 minutes, the ticket price ¥ 410)

 

WHERE TO GO IN KOBE

KITANO-CHO

Terletak di wilayah utara perbukitan Kobe, Kitano-cho merupakan jalanan-jalanan kecil yang sebagian besar menanjak dengan rumah-rumah bergaya Eropa di sisi kiri dan kanan jalanan beralaskan batu-batu yang disusun sehingga terasa sangat Eropa.

Located in the northern hills of Kobe, Kitano-cho is the small streets that mostly uphill with a European-style houses on either side of the streets paved with stones which are arranged so that feels very European.

Dahulu sejumlah saudagar dan pejabat dari Eropa memilih menetap di Kitano-cho dan menerapkan gaya arsitektur mereka di bangunan yang mereka tempati di sini. Kini, rumah-rumah dengan arsitektur bergaya Eropa ini menjadi salah satu tujuan utama turis yang datang ke Kobe. Jangan lewatkan pula Kitano Tenmangu Shrine yang cantik di sisi utara area ini.

In the past a number of European merchants and officials chose to live in Kitano-cho and applied their architectural style to the building they occupied. Now, houses with European-style architecture has become one of the main destinations for tourists who come to Kobe. Do not miss the beautiful Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the north side of this area.

  

Kitano Map (click to enlarge)

Where: Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0002

Admission Fee: (Untuk masuk ke dalam foreign houses): Kazami-Dori- no Yakata ¥500, Moegi no Yakata ¥350, Combined (Kazami-Dori- no Yakata & Moegi no Yakata) ¥600, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden (Ropeway) ¥900 one way (¥450 untuk anak-anak)

Admission Fee: (To enter the foreign houses): Kazami-Dori- no Yakata ¥ 500, ¥ 350 Moegi no Yakata, Combined (Kazami-Dori- no Yakata & Moegi no Yakata) ¥ 600, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden (Ropeway) ¥ 900 one way (¥ 450 for children)

 

Nearest Station: JR Sannomiya Station, Sannomiya Station, Hankyu Sannomiya Station

Bus: City Loop Bus dari Bus Stop No. 7 di depan Sannomiya Station (¥260 per ride, one day pass ¥660), berhenti di Bus Stop No. 10 (Kitano Ijinkan)

City Loop bus from Bus Stop No. 7 in front of Sannomiya Station (¥ 260 per ride, one day pass ¥ 660), stop at Bus Stop No. 10 (Kitano Ijinkan) 

Taksi: From Sannomiya ke Kitano Ijinkan ¥900 - ¥1000

KOBE CHINATOWN

Jika Kitano-cho adalah rasa Eropa di Kobe, maka sesuai dengan namanya, Kobe Chinatown memperlihatkan budaya Tiongkok yang kental di area yang berada di pusat kota ini.

If Kitano-cho is a taste of Europe in Kobe, then in accordance with its name, Kobe Chinatown showing thick Chinese culture in the central area of the city.

Terdapat lebih dari 100 jenis restoran ada di area Kobe Chinatown, mulai dari dim sum, pao berbagai jenis, chinese noodle, ramen, bacang, burger hingga Kobe beef dapat dinikmati di sini. Kios-kios makanan di Kobe Chinatown berada langsung di sisi jalan sehingga sambil berjalan kaki, kita dapat langsung hunting makanan dan snack yang anda suka.

There are more than 100 types of restaurants in the Chinatown area of Kobe, ranging from dim sum, various types of pao, chinese noodle, ramen, rice dumplings, to the Kobe beef burger that can be enjoyed here. Food stalls in Kobe Chinatown is located directly on the side of the road so while walking, we can directly hunt food and snacks that we like.

  

Where: Sakaemachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Precture 650-0023

Nearest Station: Motomachi Station (Hanshin Main Line, JR Tokaido Line)

Food Price: from ¥300, snacks from ¥100

CAFFERA DAIMARU

Stylish cafe dengan suasana ala Paris ini terletak hanya 5 menit berjalan kaki dari Kobe Chinatown. Terletak di pusat perbelanjaan Daimaru, Caffera menyediakan pemandangan jalanan di sisi Daimaru dengan butik-butik stylish dan susunan bangku yang menghadap ke jalanan seperti di Paris.

Stylish cafe with Parisian ambiance is located just 5 minutes walk from Kobe Chinatown. Located in a shopping center of Daimaru, Caffera provide street views in Daimaru with stylish boutiques and arrangement of benches overlooking to the street just like in Paris.

Jika anda memesan cappucino di Caffera Daimaru, jangan lupa untuk memesan bentuk latte art yang anda inginkan. Bahkan cafe ini menyediakan pilihan bentuk menggemaskan latte art yang dapat anda pilih tanpa tambahan biaya.

If you ordered a cappuccino in Caffera Daimaru, do not forget to order the form of latte art that you want. Even this cafe provides a selection of adorable latte art form which you can choose at no extra cost.

Where: 〒650-0037 Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe, Chuo Ward, Akashimachi, 40

Nearest Station: Motomachi Station (Hanshin Main Line, JR Tokaido Line)

Price: Coffee starts from ¥520, dessert starts from ¥290

KOBE PORT TOWER

Menara ini merupakan simbol Kota Kobe dan Kobe Harborland. Menara setinggi 108 meter ini dibangun di tahun 1963 dengan warna merah yang mencolok dan terlihat sangat stand out di area Kobe Harborland. Anda dapat menikmati makan di restoran yang berada di lantai atas, serta rotating cafe. Jika hanya ingin melihat-lihat sekeliling, terdapat dek observasi dengan pemandangan 360°.

The tower is a symbol of the City of Kobe and Kobe Harborland. This 108-meter high tower was built in 1963 with a striking red color and looks really stand out in the area of Kobe Harborland. You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant located on the top floor, as well as the rotating cafe. If you only want to look around, there is an observation deck with a view of 360 °.

Where: 〒650-0042 Hyōgo-ken, Kōbe-shi, Chūō-ku, Hatobachō, 5

Nearest Station: JR Kobe Station

Admission Fee: ¥700

Opening Hours: Desember - Februari 9 AM - 7 PM, Maret - November 9 AM - 9 PM

MERIKEN PARK

Taman di area pelabuhan ini merupakan area yang dipenuhi dengan bangunan ikonik Kota Kobe, mulai dari Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum hingga karya-karya instalasi kontemporer yang menghiasi taman. Gempa bumi yang dahsyat di tahun 1995 pernah meluluhlantakkan Meriken Park dan sebagian dermaga yang hancur tidak diperbaiki untuk menjadi pengingat kekuatan gempa.

This park in the port area is an area filled with iconic buildings of Kobe City, from Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum to the works of contemporary installation that adorn the park. A devastating earthquake in 1995 once devastated the Meriken Park and partially destroyed the wharf that is not repaired to be a reminder of the strength of the earthquake.

Suasana Meriken Park di sore hari sangat menyenangkan. Anda dapat bersantai di area taman, atau berjalan kaki di area dermaga. Ratusan burung juga seringkali bertengger di bangunan dekat dermaga kemudian terbang serempak yang membuat langit Kobe Harborland dihiasi gerakan mereka.

The atmosphere of Meriken Park in the afternoon is very enjoyable. You can relax in the garden area, or on foot in the area of the jetty. Hundreds of birds also often perch in a building near the pier and then fly in unison that makes the sky of Kobe decorated with their movement.

  

Where: 〒650-0042 Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe, Chūō-ku, Hatobachō, 2

Nearest Station: JR Kobe Station

KOBE HARBOURLAND UMIE

Pusat perbelanjaan di sisi Harborland ini dapat menjadi pilihan berbelanja dengan berbagai brand lokal Jepang maupun brand Internasional. Umie shopping area terdiri dari berbagai bangunan, termasuk bangunan yang berada di sisi Anpanman Children Museum.

Shopping center on Harborland side can be an option to shop with a variety of local Japanese brands and International brand. Umie shopping area consists of various buildings, including buildings that are on the side of Anpanman Children Museum.

Beberapa toko yang menggemaskan seperti Ultraman Official Shop atau Sanrio Shop berderet di bagian mall yang terhubung dengan Kobe Anpanman Children Museum.

Some shops are adorable as Ultraman Official Shop or Sanrio Shop lined up at the mall connected with Kobe Anpanman Children Museum.

Where: 1 Chome-6 Higashikawasakichō Chūō-ku, Kōbe-shi, Hyōgo-ken 650-0044

Nearest Station: JR Kobe Station

ANPANMAN CHILDREN MUSEUM

Museum yang berisi figur-figur serta permainan dengan tema cerita karya Takashi Yanase ini memang lebih ditujukan untuk anak-anak. Namun orang dewasa pun dapat menikmati area lain Anpanman Children Museum yang lebih menarik yaitu area perbelanjaan dan restoran yang tentunya semua bertemakan Anpanman.

The museum that is filled with figures and games with the theme of the story is the work of Takashi Yanase and is more intended for children. But even adults can enjoy another area of Anpanman Children Museum which is more interesting, the shopping area and restaurants are certainly all Anpanman-themed.

Di area ini anda dapat menemukan berbagai permen, coklat, snack dan makanan dengan bentuk-bentuk tokoh Anpanman dan dalam kemasan yang sangat menarik.

In this area you can find a variety of candies, chocolates, snacks and meals with Anpanman characters' forms and in very attractive packagings.

Di area ini kita juga dapat bersantai sambil memilih menu makanan bertema Anpanman. Cobalah roti-roti berbentuk karakter Anpanman yang menarik, dan juga karena Anpan dalam bahasa Jepang berarti roti kacang merah yang manis.

In this area we can also relax while selecting Anpanman-themed food menu. Try Anpanman-characters-shaped bread which are interesting, and also because Anpan in Japanese means sweet red bean bread.

Where: 1-6- 2 Higashikawasakicho Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0044 Japan

Nearest Station: JR Kobe Station

Admission Fee: ¥1500

Opening Hours: 10 AM - 6 PM

HOW TO GET AROUND KOBE?

Train

Sannomiya Station yang berada di pusat kota melayani banyak rute kereta. Dari Sannomiya anda dapat menuju Motomachi Station (5 menit berjalan kaki dari Kobe Chinatown dan Akashimachi), Kobe Station (15 menit berjalan kaki dari Kobe Harbourland, 10 menit dari Umie Shopping Area dan Anpanman Children Museum).

Sannomiya Station is located in the city center that serves many trains' routes. You can go from Sannomiya Motomachi Station (5 minutes walk from Kobe Chinatown and Akashimachi), Kobe Station (15 minute walk from Kobe Harbourland, 10 minutes from Umie Shopping Area and Anpanman Children's Museum).

Area lain dapat dijangkau dengan jalur Hanshin Electric Railway Main Line (dapat diakses dari area Sannomiya, Motomachi dan Nishimotomachi untuk transfer dari JR Line). Hanshin Line menjangkau Shinzaike dan Ishiyagawa Station (Nada Sake Breweries).

Other areas can be reached with the path of Hanshin Electric Railway Main Line (accessible from the area Sannomiya, Motomachi and Nishimotomachi to transfer from JR Line). Hanshin Line reaches Shinzaike and Ishiyagawa Station (Nada Sake Breweries).

  

City Loop Bus

Untuk berkeliling destinasi wisata di Kobe, gunakan one day pass City Loop Bus Kobe (Adult ¥660, Children ¥330). City Loop Bus menjangkau area dari Shin-Kobe Station, Kitano, Sannomiya, City Hall, Kobe Daimaru, City Museum, Chinatown hingga Kobe Harborland.

To get around tourist destinations in Kobe, use one day pass Kobe City Loop Bus (Adult ¥ 660, Children ¥ 330). City Loop Bus reaches the area of Shin-Kobe Station, Kitano, Sannomiya, City Hall, Kobe Daimaru, City Museum, Chinatown, to Kobe.

 

Kobe City Loop Bus Route (click to enlarge)

Rute dan timetable Kobe City Loop Bus dapat di download di:

Routes and Kobe City Loop Bus timetables can be downloaded at:

 

http://www.kctp.co.jp/outline/car/cityloop/41

ITINERARY

Kitano-cho -- Kobe Chinatown (you can have lunch here) -- Caffera Daimaru (just to chill and rest a bit) -- Kobe Port Tower -- Meriken Park -- Anpanman Children Museum -- Kobe Harbourland Umie (also dinner here) -- back to Osaka

For more RELAX OPTION:

Kitano-cho -- Kobe Chinatown -- Kobe Port Tower -- Meriken Park -- Anpanman Children Museum -- back to Osaka

So that's a bit of guide to enjoy Kobe, of course you can make your own itinerary based on your interest, HAVE FUN!

@marischkaprue - she made itineraries but could change it occasionally

**as written by me on Japan Guide Book: Explore & Enjoy OSAKA