Kobe

Attractions

• Kobe Luminarie

  Kobe's biggest yearly event, held to commemorate the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

• Le BaTaClan

  Fabulous little bakery and cafe in Kobe's huge Mint Department Store. Their morning set with a salad, hard boiled egg, and several types of bread is highly recommended.

• Mount Rokko (六甲山)

  Home to one of Japan's top-three night views. From up here you can get a pretty commanding view of the central Kansai megapolis, being able to see all the way from downtown Kobe, along Osaka Bay to Osaka, and down even as far as the Rinkū Gate Tower and Kansai Airport. Getting there requires a bus, a ropeway, and another bus -- all of which run until 8:00pm or so, allowing people who want to see the night view to get home.

Accommodations

• Kobe Dears BackPackers House

  Cute, clean little hostel in Kobe. Not located in a very hopping area, but the train station is close to take you into central Kobe. Dorm rooms are 2500.