What to do and see in Kobe, Kinki: The Best Bus Tours

May 11, 2022 Oliva Fomby

Famous for its luscious beef and crisp, pure sake, the Japanese port of Kobe is a thriving metropolitan city with an international feel. The sake-brewing season runs from October through April, and that's the best time to take a tour of a kura (the Japanese word for brewery). Visit the Hakutsure Sake Brewery Museum year-round. Naturally, the nightlife here is prime perfection.
Restaurants in Kobe

1. Private Car Day Trip to the Kobe Mountains, Gardens and Hot Springs from Osaka

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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Leave the hustle and bustle of Osaka behind, as you are whisked via highway in a luxury car to the mountains that rise above nearby Kobe. Over the course of your private tour, you will ride a historical cable car, visit impressive gardens and a hot spring at Arima Onsen, with a native (or equivalent) English speaking guide providing information, insight, and fun.

Inclusions: Transport by private vehicle, Private driver/guide

Exclusions: Entrance fees (1,000 to around 1,800 yen per person total, depending on your choices), Mountain cable car ride (590 yen for adults, 300 yen for children under 12), Lunch, Child seat: 1,000 yen payable on day of tour.

Reviewed By forcet2020

Kevin was awesome. Professional, knowledgeable, and gave us the perfect experience. Easily would’ve taken us 3 days to visit the sites on our own... and we certainly would not have had the context provided from the tour. With COVID a continuing concern, having a vehicle to transport us around instead of hopping on and off a dozen+ trains and busses, was a comforting benefit. Will use this service again when other family comes out to visit Japan in the future.

2. Kobe private tour from Osaka (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

3-chōme-10-12 Chikkō, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0021, Japan All Star Osaka Walk
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Visit a beautiful port city, Kobe with a private guide!  As it's a private tour, you can relax and see more sights compared with other group tours. This tour covers most popular sites like Nunobiki ropeway and herb garden, Harbor land and Sake brewery. You can't miss Kobe beef. We'll help to book the Kobe beef restaurant, if you'd like.  Tour guide will meet you at your accommodation and start the tour easily and go to Kobe by subway and train and explore the city by train and taxi efficiently.

Inclusions: National licensed guide, Sake tasting, Hotel pickup

Exclusions: Gratuities, Transportation to/from attractions, Lunch, Drinks

Reviewed By Cheryl S

We loved our Kyoto tour! Our guides Aki and Minako made it so special, the whole tour guide team even came on the call to sing Happy Birthday for my daughter. They also made a lovely personalised video for her birthday. The entire experience was so interesting and enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

3. Nara private tour from Osaka (Shore excursion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

Tempozan Park, 3 Chome-2 Chikko, Minato Ward, Osaka, 552-0021, Japan All Star Osaka Walk
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Nara was an ancient capital of Japan from 710 to 784. You'll explore peaceful shrines, Great buddha hall in Nara park and amazing Japanese garden called Isuien. Nara has beautiful natural scenery, good traditional food, cultural and historical sites. Several historical sites have been resistered on UNESCO's World Heritage List. One of the most exciting things is deer in the park. They are so tamed and cute. Our professional friendly tour guide will show you the best route and some places that is hard to find for the first time visitors. Why don't you have a great day in Nara with us?

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup, Drop-off at designated area, Private tour, Lunch

Exclusions: Transportation fee (2,000-3,000JPY per person for public transportation, 60,000JPY for a private van, Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Reviewed By Cheryl S

We loved our Kyoto tour! Our guides Aki and Minako made it so special, the whole tour guide team even came on the call to sing Happy Birthday for my daughter. They also made a lovely personalised video for her birthday. The entire experience was so interesting and enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

4. KOBE by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019 Customize Your Itinerary

iSEKAI Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Private VIP Tour in KOBE allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations. You have your own private Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours. Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information. <<< You customize your own Day Trip in KOBE>>> STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests. STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary. STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary. ***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the van. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time. ***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s). ***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reviewed By iamwillbar

We chose this experience so we could fit a number of sights into a single day as we could since we were only spending 3 full days in Kyoto. This allowed us to focus on seeing the things we wanted to rather than transportation between each sight. Marine-san worked with us over email to come up with an itinerary that was efficient and included the majority of the sights that we wanted to see. On the day Shenji-san sent us a message so we had his contact details and arrived promptly at our hotel. He drove us to each location, took photos of us (so we could all be in them!), and gave us additional facts about each location. He was a fantastic host for the day and we'd highly recommend this experience.

5. Kobe Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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3.0 based on 1 reviews

"This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kobe! Perched on a hillside sloping down to the sea, Kobe is one of Japan's most attractive and cosmopolitan cities. Compact and designed for walking, it is easily visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the city's distinct atmosphere and dining options! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history."

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Private Vehicle, Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By Cwshaman

The flexibility to chose locations that suited our wants and abilities was great. Hiro San was very quick to put together an itinerary that accommodated a family with a stroller-baby (no monkey park due to long unpacked walking paths). Taking in the beautiful temples and view of the Kyoto from the west was breath taking and the guide was able to explain many things we as new Japanese learners could not read or know through cultural knowledge. Overall a great experience, a wonderful and lively guide, and some great memories.

6. Kobe Walking Tour (Round Trip from Osaka)

Hotel Granvia Osaka, 3-chōme-1-番1号 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan JTB Sunrise Tours
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See the best of Kobe on this full-day walking tour. You’ll learn about one of Japan’s largest cities, known for its vibrant street culture. With your guide, take the train from Osaka to Kobe, where your immersive walking tour begins. You’ll spend the day traveling around Kobe’s historic districts on a city cute bus, cruising scenic waterfront parks, enjoying a Japanese and Western-style mixed buffet lunch and visiting the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens which is one of Japan's largest herb gardens.

Inclusions: Lunch, Professional English-speaking guide, Round-trip public transportation fee

Exclusions: Hotel drop-off, Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Reviewed By mm0711

The tour was just like a live stream. You will get on a rickshaw and your friendly driver will show you around in Kyoto. After the ride, your guide will walk with you and take you to the beautiful bamboo forest and Tenruji Temple. You will also meet monkeys at the park in Iwatayama! The only thing I was disappointed about was I couldn't taste the Shojin Ryori or Buddhist vegetarian meal that our guide Mickey-san showed and explained. I should be on the real tour!

7. KOBE (HIMEJI CASTLE) by Land Rover Discovery 2018 Customize Your Itinerary

iSEKAI Travel
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Private VIP Tour in KYOTO (HIMEJI CASTLE) allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations. You have your own private Land Rover Discovery Sport 2018 and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours. Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information. <<< You customize your own Day Trip in KYOTO (HIMEJI CASTLE) >>> STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests. STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary. STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary. ***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the car. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time. ***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s). ***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reviewed By iamwillbar

We chose this experience so we could fit a number of sights into a single day as we could since we were only spending 3 full days in Kyoto. This allowed us to focus on seeing the things we wanted to rather than transportation between each sight. Marine-san worked with us over email to come up with an itinerary that was efficient and included the majority of the sights that we wanted to see. On the day Shenji-san sent us a message so we had his contact details and arrived promptly at our hotel. He drove us to each location, took photos of us (so we could all be in them!), and gave us additional facts about each location. He was a fantastic host for the day and we'd highly recommend this experience.

8. Private Kobe Custom One Day Tour by Chartered Vehicle

Beauty of Japan

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan's ten largest cities. Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century alongside the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Niigata.

Inclusions: Local guide (if option selected), Driver, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Glenn B

We cancelled the tour in advance and have NEVER been refunded the payment, my advice to anybody is to avoid at all costs this tour

9. Explore the root of Wagyu beef in Hyogo Prefecture

Beauty of Japan

In this tour you will be able to discover the true root of Kobe Beef, the Tajima Beef. Did you know that the most highest ranking Tajima Beef can acquire the branding of Kobe Beef, meaning that Tajima Beef is the true origin of Kobe Beef. This is why in some places there are people and business that would use the name of Tajima Beef rather than Kobe beef. The roots of all Japanese beef "Wagyu", all starts from the Tajiri-gou. The Tajiri-gou is a cow raised by the founder of Tajima beef, Tajiri Matsuo he raised Tajiri with superior gene cow that makes up 99.9% of the current Japanese Black cows in Japan. All the famous Wagyu beef mostly all have the genes from Tajiri-gou. With this tour you will be able to explore around the beautiful area of Kamicho in Hyogo Prefecture with a bicycle and learn about the deep history roots of Wagyu beef. Of course you will be able to enjoy eating this high graded beef as well, this experience will be good for both your mind and your stomach as well!

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Transportation fee, Lunch(Tajima beef premium BBQ)

Exclusions: Drink, Transportation fee after tour terminates

Reviewed By Glenn B

We cancelled the tour in advance and have NEVER been refunded the payment, my advice to anybody is to avoid at all costs this tour

10. KOBE (HIMEJI CASTLE) by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019 Customize Your Itinerary

iSEKAI Travel

Private VIP Tour in KOBE (HIMEJI CASTLE) allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations. You have your own private Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019 and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours. Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information. <<< You customize your own Day Trip in KOBE (HIMEJI CASTLE) >>> STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests. STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary. STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary. ***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the van. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time. ***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s). ***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reviewed By iamwillbar

We chose this experience so we could fit a number of sights into a single day as we could since we were only spending 3 full days in Kyoto. This allowed us to focus on seeing the things we wanted to rather than transportation between each sight. Marine-san worked with us over email to come up with an itinerary that was efficient and included the majority of the sights that we wanted to see. On the day Shenji-san sent us a message so we had his contact details and arrived promptly at our hotel. He drove us to each location, took photos of us (so we could all be in them!), and gave us additional facts about each location. He was a fantastic host for the day and we'd highly recommend this experience.

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