Kobe Maya Mountain Hoshidai & Himeji Castle One-Day Tour

▼Japan's No.1 Castle ‑ Himeji Castle（about 90 minutes, free time allowed, admission fee included）

Himeji Castle is located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is regarded as one of the most representative castles in the world, as well as a masterpiece of wooden architecture. Along with Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture and Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture, it is known as one of the "Three Great Castles of Japan." The keep and other buildings of Himeji Castle are well preserved, making it a model of ancient Japanese defensive architecture, which is why it attracts worldwide attention. Due to its profound historical and artistic value, Himeji Castle, together with Horyu‑ji Temple, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, becoming one of Japan's first historical sites to receive this honour.

With its brilliant white exterior resembling a white heron in flight, Himeji Castle is affectionately known as "Shirasagi‑jo" (White Heron Castle).

The main keep, which is over 400 years old and stands 31.5 metres tall, is the tallest of the twelve existing original keeps in Japan.

Himeji Castle is a hirajiro (flatland‑mountain castle) with a "renritsushiki" (connected) keep layout. Its distinctive feature is the connection of the five‑storey, six‑level main keep to smaller keeps on the east, west, and north‑west sides via watchtower corridors (watari‑yagura). The main keep, the smaller keeps, and the connecting corridors have all been designated as National Treasures.

Its pristine white walls, unique Chinese‑style gables (kara‑hafu), the magnificent five‑storey, seven‑level main keep, and the harmonious presence of the three smaller keeps create the unique allure of Himeji Castle.

Despite numerous wars of varying scales over the 400 years since 1618, nearly 100 buildings within the castle grounds miraculously survived the flames of battle, allowing this historic city to remain perfectly preserved to this day.

Admission fee included: Adults (18 years and above): 1,000 yen/person; Children (primary, junior high, and senior high school students): 300 yen/person

▼Kitano Ijinkan Street, Kobe（about 2 hours, dinner can be enjoyed here, free time allowed, dinner and admission fees are at your own expense）

During the Meiji and Taisho periods, a large number of Western‑style buildings were constructed in Kobe, and the Kitano area in Chuo‑ku is now home to the most well‑preserved examples. The area extending from Ichome to Sanchome of Kitano Yamamoto‑dori is known as Kitano Ijinkan Street, with most buildings having served as private residences of foreign merchants or foreign consulates. Walking uphill along Kitano Passage or Ijinkan Passage, numerous small Western‑style houses come into view one after another. Some have been converted into museums or art galleries, while others remain in their original layout and are open to the public. Boutiques, coffee shops, small restaurants, and flower shops are dotted among the Western houses, and the entire area exudes an elegant foreign ambience, reminiscent of a small European town, making it a delightful place for a stroll.

Starbucks Kitano Monogatari‑kan — The First Starbucks in Japan

The building was constructed in 1907 and has a history of over 100 years. It was originally the residence of an American, later purchased by a German baker, and after being inherited by his son, the first floor was converted into a coffee room and the second floor into an archival display area, becoming a Western‑style gallery. After collapsing during the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, it was restored on its original site and later designated as a tangible cultural property of Japan. In 2009, Starbucks transformed this legendary building into its oldest store: Kobe Kitano Ijinkan.

Recommended Attractions:

Kazamidori‑no‑Yakata (Weathercock House)（Admission at own expense: 500 yen, or 650 yen for a combined ticket with Moegi‑kan）

Kazamidori‑no‑Yakata is a symbol of Kitano Ijinkan and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. In addition to its stately and impressive architecture, the interior is also well worth a visit. The architect incorporated Art Nouveau elements from the early 20th century, making the house look both luxurious and elegant, yet lively and comfortable. Kazamidori‑no‑Yakata was the residence of Gottfried Thomas, a German trader who lived in Kobe during the Meiji period. The two‑storey Western house features a striking red brick exterior and a wooden spire, making it stand out among the many Western‑style houses in the Ijinkan district. The name derives from the iron weathercock perched on the roof.

It is also famous as the model for the Tohsaka Rin residence in the anime Fate/stay night, making it a popular pilgrimage site for fans of the Holy Grail War.

Opening Hours: 9:30 ‑ 18:00 (last admission 17:45)

Moegi‑kan（Admission at own expense: 400 yen, or 650 yen for a combined ticket with Kazamidori‑no‑Yakata）

 Moegi‑kan was the private residence in Kobe of Hunter Sharp, the American Consul General during the Meiji era. It is named for its exterior colour, as "moegi" in Japanese means pale green. Each room features walls painted in different colours, and the fireplace surrounds are individually designed to match, impressing visitors with their distinctive craftsmanship. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. From the second floor of Moegi‑kan, visitors can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Kobe's cityscape.

Opening Hours: 9:30 ‑ 18:00 (last admission 17:45)

Uroko no Ie (Fish‑Scale House)（Admission at own expense: 1,100 yen）

This was the first Ijinkan to be opened to the public in Kobe. It is so named because the natural stone slates covering the exterior walls closely resemble fish scales. It has been designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property and is listed among the 100 Best Hyogo Residences. The art gallery located on the west side houses a permanent exhibition featuring masterpieces of modern and European painting, including large landscapes by artists such as Troyon (Barbizon School), Matisse, Utrillo, and Buffet.

Opening Hours: 10:00 ‑ 17:00 

Please note that many of the restaurants and cafés along the Kobe Ijinkan streets close relatively early, around 5:00 PM, so be mindful of your dining schedule while sightseeing.

▼Japan's Three Great Night Views ‑ Mount Maya Night View（about 1 hour）

The dreamlike experience of Kobe's skyline: the million‑dollar night view from the Kikuseidai Observatory on Mount Maya

Mount Maya is a 702‑metre peak within the Rokko mountain range. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Awaji Island, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Shodoshima Island. The night view from the Kikuseidai observation plaza is particularly spectacular and is renowned as one of Japan's Three Great Night Views.

If the Mount Maya Observatory cannot be reached due to winter road closures or itinerary reasons, the following alternative will be taken:

▼Mount Rokko Night View（about 1 hour）

Located near Kobe, Mount Rokko has been designated as part of the Seto Inland Sea National Park. It is an excellent spot to enjoy Kobe's night view and is also often referred to as one of Japan's Three Great Night Views.

Rokkosan Cable Car (六甲ケーブル Rokko Cable Car)

(As the mountain roads are winding and bus rides up the mountain may cause motion sickness, please enjoy the unique Rokkosan Cable Car, at your own expense)

Opening Hours: 07:10 ‑ 21:10  Regular Holidays: None

Fares (for reference): Round trip ‑ Adults 1,550 yen / Children 780 yen

Rokkosan Tenrandai Observatory  （As the "Kobe Rokko MEETS ART 2025 beyond" event will be held from 23 Aug to 30 Nov, Tenrandai will charge an admission fee of 500 yen per person during this period, payable at your own expense）

Tenrandai was named by Emperor Showa in 1981 (Showa 56) and is located next to the Rokkosan Cable Car upper station. It is one of the three most recommended night view spots on Mount Rokko. (Open all year round, admission free, except during the art festival period). Kobe's night view was rated as a "million‑dollar night view" in 1953 (Showa 28), because the monthly electricity cost of the lights seen from Mount Rokko exceeded one million US dollars (at the then exchange rate of 1 USD = 360 yen). In 2005 (Heisei 17), calculated at 1 USD = 110 yen, the nightly electricity cost exceeded ten million US dollars, earning Kobe's night view the even more impressive title of "The Ten‑Million‑Dollar Night View." The view stretches clearly from the Wakayama area to the Akashi Strait!

Kobe Rokko MEETS ART 2025 beyond ‑ Encountering Rich Nature and Art

"Kobe Rokko MEETS ART" uses tourist facilities on Mount Rokko as its main venues and is an event where artworks are enjoyed in an outdoor setting. Since its inaugural edition in 2010, over 520 groups of artists have participated in total. The theme of this 16th edition is "Perspectives and Thoughts on the Environment," aiming to encourage people to view and reflect on environmental issues from broader and more diverse perspectives through the appreciation of the natural scenery of Mount Rokko, a symbol of Kobe, alongside the artworks.

After the tour concludes, the return journey to Osaka city begins. The return time is for reference only; the return may be earlier depending on factors such as a smooth itinerary and favourable traffic conditions.

Drop‑off and tour conclusion at the Nipponbashi Exit 2 area.

Shinsaibashi: Osaka's most famous shopping street, lined with large department stores, chain drugstores, long‑established brand shops, and small stores. Goods of various grades and styles are available in abundance, and Hello Kitty and Disney speciality stores are also located here. It is also a gathering place for drugstores favoured by ladies, where cosmetics and skincare products can be freely browsed. Most shops are staffed with Chinese‑speaking sales assistants and accept UnionPay cards, allowing for a relaxed shopping experience.

Dotonbori: The epitome of Osaka's food culture, this street never rests, whether by day or night. As the birthplace of Osaka's renowned "kuidaore" (eat until you drop) food culture, Dotonbori offers a wealth of gourmet street snacks such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki, and Kinryu Ramen, as well as traditional Japanese izakaya pubs and a variety of trendy restaurants, including the hugely popular Kani Doraku among Chinese visitors.