Kobe has a variety of date spots, including aquariums, herb gardens, hot spring towns, etc. There are so many places to go and see that many people have trouble coming up with a date plan.
If you know about the facilities and areas that couples can enjoy, as well as how to enjoy and the highlights of each date spot, you can create the ideal date plan that the two of you can enjoy.
So in this article, we will introduce seven popular date spots in Kobe.
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AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa
"AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa" is a new urban aquarium that combines the charm of art and aquariums.
Take the Shinki Bus (Port Loop) from the bus stop in front of Sannomiya Station and get off at the Shinkocho bus stop. It's one of Kobe's popular spots, so be sure to visit.
Reasons why AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa is recommended for dates
The appeal of "AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa" is the mysterious space that combines digital art, stage art, aquariums, etc. The production that stimulates the five senses, including sound and light, enhances the sense of being in the ocean.
The facility is divided into themes such as "Forest of Spirits," "Miracle Planet," and "Corridor of Exploration," and features original aquariums that symbolize each theme. If you visit on a date, you and your partner will be able to experience healing and excitement.
There is also a cafe and museum shop, so you can enjoy eating and shopping.
AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa's popular date course
We will introduce some popular date courses at "AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa."
CAVE The Cave of Beginnings
At the "Cave of Beginnings" near the entrance, you will be greeted by fish that shine in rainbow colors. You can stroll through a space where light is reflected in a row of multi-sided structures and aquariums that resemble a cave. It feels like you are diving into a cave while looking at fish such as red-eared piranhas, guppies, and cardinal tetras.
Fluctuations of Life
The "Fluctuation of Life" on the second floor is a space where you can enjoy the atmosphere of floating under the sea. With blue light streaming in, you can see Caribbean seahorses, lionfish, and cownose rays.
SKYSHORE Skyside Garden
The Sky Garden on the fourth floor is an open space filled with water and greenery. While feeling the sea breeze and sunlight, you can see cute creatures such as Asian small-clawed otters, Humboldt penguins, and capybaras.
(Reference: “AQUARIUM ✕ ART átoa”/ https://atoa-kobe.jp/)
Meriken Park
Meriken Park is a popular seaside date spot. It is a 10-minute walk from Motomachi Station on the JR Kobe Line, or an 8-minute walk from Minato Motomachi Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway Kaigan Line. It is a great place for a date, as you can take a walk near the sea while looking at symbolic buildings such as the Kobe Maritime Museum and Kobe Port Tower.
Reasons why Meriken Park is recommended for dates
Meriken Park is recommended for people who want to enjoy a leisurely stroll on a date. It's good to chat while looking out at the sea, or to stroll along the coast while feeling the sea breeze.
The beautiful night view is also popular, making it a fun date any time of the day. Shopping at the neighboring Harborland is also a popular date spot.
What to see at Meriken Park
Below, we will introduce some of the highlights of Meriken Park.
BE KOBE Monument
The "BE KOBE Monument" is a popular photo spot in Meriken Park. This monument, which features a row of large alphabet letters, was installed in 2017 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Kobe Port.
The phrase "BE KOBE" was born in the wake of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and contains the message that "the charm of Kobe is its people." You will be energized by the strong will to overcome the disaster and start new challenges.
Symbolic Buildings
From Meriken Park, you can see a group of symbolic buildings. Taking photos with the Kobe Port Tower in the background will be a great memory for your date.
(Reference: "Meriken Park" / https://www.kobeport-upark.jp)
Kobe Bay Cruise
The Kobe Bay Cruise is a short cruise where you can enjoy the beautiful cityscape of Kobe from the sea. You can board the Royal Princess or the Imperial ship Atakemaru from Kobe Port and tour the port in 40 to 45 minutes. If there is availability, you can use it on the day without making a reservation.
Why Kobe Bay Cruise is recommended for dates
On the Kobe Bay Cruise, you can enjoy the Kobe cityscape with Mt. Rokko in the background. You can also view famous spots such as Kobe Harborland and Kobe Bridge from the sea.
If the weather is good, you can see as far as Awaji Island and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. Enjoying the beautiful scenery together in a relaxed atmosphere will surely bring you closer together.
Highlights of the Kobe Bay Cruise
The highlights along the route are as follows:
Port Island
Port Island is Japan's first artificial island city, built in 1981. It is home to Kobe Animal Kingdom and the Kobe International Conference Center, and functions as a marine city.
Kobe Bridge
Kobe Ohashi Bridge is a striking red arch bridge. It connects the Port Terminal and Port Island and is 319 meters long. The Royal Princess sails under the Kobe Ohashi Bridge.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Submarines
On the Kobe Bay Cruise, you can also see the submarines of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In Japan, these are built and repaired only at Kawasaki and Mitsubishi shipyards, so it is actually a rare spot to see them.
(Reference: Kobe Bay Cruise / https://kobebayc.co.jp/)
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden is a herb garden where plants bloom throughout the seasons. It is one of the largest herb gardens in Japan, with about 75,000 herbs and flowers of about 200 varieties blooming. To get to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, you need to take the ropeway. Get on the ropeway from Herb Garden Base Station and get off at Herb Garden Summit Station. It takes about 10 minutes to get there.
Reasons why Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden is a great place for a date
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden has 12 gardens with different themes. You can enjoy a stroll through the gardens, surrounded by colorful flowers such as roses and mint, and taking in the rich fragrances. There are also restaurants, so it is recommended to enjoy a meal during your walk.
Popular spots of Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
We will introduce popular spots at Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden.
Observation Plaza
The Welcome Garden, located close to the Herb Garden Summit Station, is a beautiful garden surrounded by a castle gate and a rest house. It is modeled after the ancient German castle "Wartburg Castle," and you can enjoy plants that change with the seasons.
Rose Symphony Garden
The Rose Symphony Garden is an area where you can see around 60 kinds of roses. With a focus on English roses, you can enjoy the different colors and fragrances of each variety.
Herb Museum
The Herb Museum is an area where about 100 kinds of herbs are on display. You can learn about the characteristics and uses of each herb. Herb guided tours are also held, so if you're interested, why not join one?
(Reference: Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden / https://www.kobeherb.com/)
Rooftop terrace Sorafune Kobe
Sorafune Kobe is an observation deck located on the rooftop of the main building of Kobe Portopia Hotel. Go through the reception on the 30th floor and take the elevator up. The deck is about 110 meters high and offers a panoramic view of the Kobe cityscape. Please note that the daytime session requires a reservation.
Reasons why Sorafune Kobe is recommended for dates
Sorafune Kobe is one of the most popular date spots. It offers a 360-degree view of Port Island, the Rokko mountain range, Osaka Bay, and more. At night, you can spend an amazing time together watching the Kobe night view, which is said to be worth 10 million dollars. There are also restaurants and bars on the lower floors where you can enjoy meals and drinks.
How to enjoy Sorafune Kobe
Sorafune Kobe can be enjoyed both during the day and at night. However, the admission times for the day and night sessions are different, so be sure to check in advance.
During the day, you can experience the atmosphere of a ship's deck.
During the day, you can enjoy a view of the Kobe cityscape under the wide open sky. You'll feel as if you're on the deck of a ship, giving you a sense of openness.
If you sit on the benches on the wooden deck, you can see planes taking off from Kobe Airport and ships passing through Osaka Bay. Depending on the weather, you may even be able to see the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island. This unique view will be a great memory for your date.
You can enjoy a beautiful night view at night
In the evening, you can enjoy the night view of Kobe with one drink included. You can spend an emotional time watching the lights of Kobe city and the bustling lights of Harborland. The lighting, which changes with the seasons, is also popular.
(Reference: "Sorafune Rooftop Terrace Kobe" / https://www.portopia.co.jp/sorafune/)
Arima Onsen Town
Arima Onsen is one of the three oldest hot springs in Japan, along with Dogo Onsen in Ehime Prefecture and Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture. Located in Kita-ku, Kobe City, the hot spring town spreads out on the north side of the Rokko Mountains. It is famous as a hot spring resort loved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and many literary figures, and you can enjoy two different types of hot springs: the brown "kinsen" (golden spring) and the colorless and transparent "ginsen" (silver spring).
Reasons why Arima Onsen town is recommended for dates
The atmospheric hot spring town is also popular as a date spot. You can enjoy the hot springs, of course, but you can also enjoy walking around the town and shopping. You can stay the night, but it's also enjoyable on a day trip, so it's a great place to include in your date itinerary.
A popular spot in Arima Onsen town
Here we will introduce some popular spots in Arima Onsen town.
Arima Trout Pond
You can try your hand at rainbow trout fishing at Arima Masu Pond. It is a fishing pond that uses the waterfall that flows from Mt. Rokko, and the rainbow trout you catch will be cooked for you on the spot. You can rent fishing rods, so you don't need to bring your own equipment.
Arima Toy Museum
The Arima Toy Museum is a facility that displays toys that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In addition to Japanese toys, the museum also displays foreign train models and mechanical dolls. If you visit on a date, you can share a nostalgic feeling.
Arima Stamp Museum
The Arima Stamp Museum is a full-scale stamp museum. It houses a large collection of valuable stamps issued when the post office was founded. It's also a good idea to take photos with the retro postboxes.
(Reference: "Arima Onsen"/ https://www.arima-onsen.com/)
Kobe Kitano Foreigner's Residence District
Provided by: Kobe Tourism Bureau
Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai is a popular date spot where you can experience foreign history and culture. It is a 10-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station and a 15-minute walk from Sannomiya Station. Come and enjoy the exotic atmosphere of the town.
Reasons why Kobe Kitano Ijinkan District is a great place for a date
In addition to the famous foreign-style houses, Kobe Kitano Ijinkan-gai also has a trick art museum and an art museum. There are also coffee shops and shrines, making it a great place to visit on a date.
A popular date spot in Kobe's Kitano Ijinkan district
We've picked out some great places for dates and would like to introduce them to you.
Moegi no Yakata
"Moegi no Yakata" was built in 1903 and is a nationally designated important cultural property. It was built as the residence of American Consul General Hunter Sharp, and as its name suggests, it features light green exterior walls. You can view the Kobe cityscape from the sunroom on the second floor.
Houses on the Rhine
The Rhine House is a building built in the early Taisho period. It inherits the style of the Meiji period foreign-style houses, and features impressive open verandas and shutters. It is also a good idea to take a stroll through the pleasant garden.
Foreigner's House on the Hill
The "Saka no Ue Ijinkan" is a foreign-style house built in the late Meiji period. It has an oriental feel, and is decorated with Chinese furniture and artwork. The lion-dog statues in the courtyard are also a highlight.
(Reference: "Kobe Kitano Ijinkan" / https://www.kobeijinkan.com/)
summary
Popular date spots in Kobe include a variety of facilities, such as aquariums and herb gardens, so choose one that suits your preferences.
For those who prefer a more active date, we recommend Greenia. Greenia is one of the largest Obstacle parks in Japan, where you can have fun all day long moving your body. There are also many events and photo spots that couples can enjoy, so please come and visit us.
(Reference: "Greenia" / https://www.rokkosan.com/greenia/)
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