Where Pirates Dwell And Emperors Play: Kobe's Surprising and Colorful Past

Kobe is not your typical tourist attraction in Japan. While cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka boom with big crowds, Kobe offers a more relaxed escape with authentic experiences that reflect Japan's history and culture. If you make your hotel, flight and car rental reservations for your travels through Bitbook, you can benefit from a cashback of up to 15%.

As a major port city, Kobe's location along the Seto Inland Sea gives it a diverse landscape ranging from beaches and mountains to rivers and forests. Strolling along the Kobe Port and Harborland areas provides scenenic views of the sea dotted with islands. It's a perfect spot for watching the sunrise or sunset.

The Kobe Beef is world famous for its tenderness and marbling. There's no better place to savor this delicacy than in Kobe. Spiritz Honten is a high-end butcher shop and restaurant where you can see the beef aging process firsthand and enjoy fresh cuts cooked on a hot stone barbecue.

For a glimpse into Western influence on Japanese culture, visit Kitano-cho, a historic district with Victorian-era buildings now housing shops, cafes, and guesthouses. Some buildings date back to the Meiji Restoration. Walking around Kitano-cho almost makes you forget you're in Japan!

A side trip to Mount Maya, Kobe's largest mountain, offers hiking trails with panoramic views of downtown Kobe and Osaka Bay. If you want to skip the trails, ride the Mt. Maya Ropeway to the summit. At 1,121 feet high, the views from the top make it a popular spot for photos.

Kobe's natural scenery, quality food, cultural attractions and relaxed pace provide an encounter with Japan that tourists rarely experience. There are no crowds, just authentic experiences you can revel in at your own pace. If you want to avoid the usual tourist traps, Kobe is the perfect city to discover the heart of Japan. Overall, Kobe is a gem waiting to be explored. I hope this guide encourages you to visit soon!

Kobe is home to several interesting festivals and events:

Kobe Beef Festival - Held in February, this 2-day festival celebrates Kobe Beef with cooking shows, sales events and contests. It's a great chance to sample high-quality Kobe Beef.

Kobe Koryu-ko Festival - In early June, this festival honors the historic relationship between the Kobe and Osaka regions. Street parades, sporting events and cultural exhibitions are held along Kobe's charming riverfront areas.

Kobe International Conference - For 3 days in August, Kobe hosts an international wine and food conference featuring renowned chefs, sommeliers and food & beverage professionals from around the world. Public events include cooking demonstrations, wine and beer tastings, food tours.

Jazz Street - On weekends from September through November, the streets around Kobe Port are transformed into an open-air jazz club. Both local and international jazz artists perform while visitors can enjoy drinks at streetside cafes.

Tanabata Star Festival - Held in early July, this festival honors a star-crossed lover's story. Colorful streamers, lanterns and messages of longing are hung throughout Kobe, especially along the Kobe Port.

Kobe Akkon Museum Firework Festival - For 2 nights in August, the Akkon museum grounds host a firework festival with pyrotechnical displays, live music and food vendors. The akkon (ark) theme is represented in the fireworks, creating a memorable visual display.

With cuisine festivals, cultural events, live music and seasonal rituals, Kobe has an eventful calendar year that celebrates history, nature and community. Attending some of these unique festivals will enrich your experience exploring Kobe.

There are several ways to save money while traveling these days. BitBook, a blockchain-based reservation platform, offers up to 15% cashback on all your hotel, flight and car rental reservations. BitBook is the best alternative to spend less while traveling.