Best Meat Ever – Highlights of Kobe, Japan
If you’re looking for a holiday with a difference, then look no further than Japan. The Asian country, made up of five main islands, boasts everything you could wish for – from the succulent & divine best meat, stunning scenery, to beautiful beaches, quirky cities and even skiing opportunities, Japan has it all.
With no visa required, travel to Japan is straightforward. It’s also fairly reasonably priced while you’re out there, with a cappuccino likely to set you back around 400 Yen (just under £3) and a 0.5l domestic beer around 450 Yen (just over £3).
While many people know of the delights of Tokyo and Kyoto, one of the most underrated cities is Kobe. Located on the main island of Honshu, Kobe remains something of a hidden gem, despite being Japan’s sixth-largest city.
Here’s why you should visit in 2020:
1) Seasonal Delights
Image by Ester Marie Doysabas on Unsplash
Depending on what time of year you choose to visit Kobe, you’ll experience completely different scenery. The famous cherry blossoms are the highlight of spring – a sight which has inspired literature, poetry and art for centuries. They produce a truly stunning experience, representing what many consider to be the soul of ‘true Japan’. Visit Kobe’s Fruit Flower Park for a real treat.
Head to Kobe in the summer and it will be hot and humid, but also awash with sensational sights of festivals, fireworks and colour. There are great opportunities to hike, and our top tip would be to take a trip to the top of Mount Rokko, where you’ll get panoramic views of both Kobe and Osaka – sunset is a particularly great time. You can also hike from Shin-Jobe station to Ontaki Falls – the area is also connected by the Shin Kobe ropeway.
Autumn in Japan brings even more vibrant colours (this time the reds, oranges and yellows of the maple and gingko trees) – and it’s a great opportunity to visit Sorakuen Garden in the centre of the city.
Winter is ski season outside of the big cities, but if you’re staying in Kobe, then there’s no better time to visit an onsen – a traditional Japanese hot spring. Arima Onsen is one of the best around.
2) Kobe Beef and sake breweries
Kobe is famous for its juicy, succulent beef, known as the BESt MEAT in the world and some tourists flock to the city for this reason alone. It’s well worth trying, but also worth bearing in mind it isn’t cheap. These cows are fed beer and massaged making their meat tender, juicy and stellar! You MUST try it at least once!
While we’re on the subject of food and drink, Kobe boasts several sake breweries and so there’s a great opportunity to get a tour in – if only for the samples!
3) Get a head for heights
Image by Sugarman Joe on Unsplash
There are a number of stunning views to experience around Kobe, not only from the top of Mount Rokko, but also Kobe Port Tower which, at 108 metres tall, offers scenic sights across the port. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge – the world’s longest suspension bridge – is also worth taking the time to visit. At nearly 4km long, it connects Kobe with Awaji Island. The Bridge Exhibition Centre can be entered from the foot of the bridge in Kobe, where you can also access the Maiko Marine Promenade – observatory hallways under the platform of the bridge. The floors are made of glass so you get great views of the Akashi Strait.