In which quarter house in Kobe?

You who dream of going to Japan, here you are: Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto... Here are the areas where to stay in Kobe!

Great metropolis of the axis of the Keihanshin – the conurbation concentrating the cities of Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe -, Kobe is one of the major cities of the island of Honshu in Japan. Its population is 1,545,410, but the population of the entire urban area is home to three million Japanese. The traces of human occupancy in Kobe are multi-millenary and date back to – 10,000 before our era.

Kobe, a leading port city since the feudal era, was from the Middle Ages a strategic platform for trade in the Japanese archipelago. Today, Kobe is world-famous for its gastronomy (the beef), its international port, its famous red tower, the vast Chinatown district, Meriken Park – an iconic suspended park of the city – and unfortunately, the earthquake of January 17, 1995, during which 6,437 people died according to an official discount.

Kobe is among the most visited cities in Japan, frequented by the 10.36 million travellers who discovered the country in 2013. Today, the city has 9 districts and many neighbourhoods: here are our 4 favourite areas to stay in Kobe.

Sannomiya

Sannomiya is the most central area of Kobe, but also the most effervescent, groubling and merchant of the city. This is where you have to go to shopping: you will find many shopping centres, restaurants and a must-see for any traveller: the central train station of Sannomiya. It is also a privileged place to celebrate all night. In addition, many hotels allow you to find a room to stay in Sannomiya. However, as it is a popular neighborhood, the night can be expensive. If you love lively and festive areas that never sleep, it is here that you have to choose to sleep in Kobe.

Kitano

Kitano is one of the most appreciated areas in Kobe: here, on the hills juched north of Sannomiya and at the foot of Mount Rokko, the expatriates and rich Europeans elected home and built Western buildings. The neighborhood is a maze of winding streets that snake to the center, and has many cafés and trendy restaurants. Numerous residences dating from the late 19th century or early 20th century have become the symbols of Kobe: Kazamidori no Yakata, Moegi House, Uroko Museum; Yamate Hachibankan, Yokan Nagaya, or the former Chinese consulate. Many of these buildings are open to the public and are classified as “important cultural property”. Sometimes they were rehabilitated in coffee and restaurant. To stay in Kitano, you'll have to have the means!

Harbor Land and the port of Kobe

The port of Kobe is the second largest commercial port in Japan. Not far, Meriken Park makes the port district one of the most popular in the city, especially if you add the interest of visiting the Port Tower, 108 meters high, allowing you to have a beautiful panoramic view of the city. On the seaside and near the port, the Harbor Land district is a well-equipped area for leisure and entertainment: the Mosaic leisure and shopping complex is there, a den for you if you come with children and/or like shopping. In addition, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants in the area.

Motomachi

Another interesting area: Motomachi, a very commercial and very lively area where you can go shopping and enjoy the delights of Japanese cuisine in restaurants – many – of the neighborhood. Not far, you will enjoy the animation, scents and colors of Nankinmachi Street if you come to Kobe during the Chinese New Year: this is Chinatown. It is a lively neighborhood where to stay in Kobe.

Main photo credit: Pixabay – Isseymatnoh