Kobe Japan: Recommended
Places To Go In Japan

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There is no doubt that Kobe Japan is a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. But as far as Japan tourist attractions go, I think Kyoto and Nara pretty much have that covered.

So why would you want to go to there? 

Well, Kobe is actually a wonderful place for shopping, eating and generally just taking it easy. 

The three main areas are Sannomiya (the main train station), followed by Motomachi which has Kobe`s Chinatown and then Kobe itself which sits on the harbor.

Sannomiya

You could easily spend the better part of a day just checking out Sannomiya. 

The area around and under the station itself has plenty of stores and places to grab a bite to eat. (I highly recommend the freshly cooked Manneken waffles sold in Sannomiya station).

Nearby are a number of department stores like Sogo and Kobe Marui and the 550m long shopping street Sannomiya center-gai which will take you to Motomachi.

Motomachi

The highlight of Motomachi is its Chinatown (Nankin-machi). With an array of dumplings, noodles, pork buns, chinese sweets and more available from the restaurants and stalls you are sure to leave with a full stomach. 

Whenever I am deciding what to eat there, I look to see if the stall owner is cooking it fresh (cause I don`t like cold gyoza) and/or if there is a long line. Usually long lines equal good food.

Visitors can sit on benches surrounded by statues of animals from the chinese horoscope in the center square (watch out for pigeons) or simply eat while strolling around.

Motomachi also has an undercover shopping street which leads into Kobe, so you can effectively walk all the way from Sannomiya to Kobe which is actually really enjoyable.

If you don`t like walking then you can always take the train to and from each station which only takes about 5-10 minutes.

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