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Ideal tour plan in Kobe
Kobe is a tourist city that has been open to overseas countries for many decades. With Japan’s oldest Kobe mosque, it is a popular city for Muslims visiting Japan. We will introduce you a model tourist course for Muslims to explore the attractive city of Kobe.
10:00 Shin-Kobe station
This is where you get off the Shinkansen at Kobe. It is approximately 15 minutes from Shin-Osaka station. We will start from the entrance of Kobe.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden 10:10-11:30 (Shin-Kobe station → Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway Bottom Station 10 minutes by foot)
The biggest herb garden in Japan is accessible by going on a ropeway! You can enjoy an elegant walk in the sky of approximately 10 minutes with Kobe city and the great panorama of Keihanshin. You can also enjoy Kobe famous attractions such as “Nunobiki falls” and “Gohonmatsu dam” that is important cultural properties in Japan. When you get off the ropeway, you can see medieval European castle atmosphere and about 200 species 75,000 of herbs and flowers (Four seasons).In addition, there are herbal Ashiyuya, cafe, garden terrace, and a space to rest on the lawn.
URL: http://www.japan-ryokan.net/kobeherb/en/index1.html
Kobe mosque 12:00-13:00 (Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway Bottom Station → Kobemosque 30minute by foot)
The first ever mosque built in Japan. This is a must-visit for Muslims visiting Japan. It is a mosque representing Japan, with many Muslims gathering for the group prayer on Fridays from Kobe and even Osaka. You can pray for Zuhr here.
URL: http://www.kobemosque.info/en/top.html
Naan In 13:00-14:00 (Kobe mosque → Naan In 1 minute by foot)
Enjoy lunch at Pakistan/Indian restaurant popular with Muslim people, which is located in front of Kobe mosque. Lunch buffet is a popular menu after group praying on Fridays. The owner is also Muslim.
URL: https://www.halalgourmet.jp/ja/restaurant/786
Kitano area Weathercock House, Uroko house, Uroko museum 14:10-15:00 (Naan In → Weathercock House 10 minutes by foot)
Western type houses were built by foreigners that lived in Kobe in the Meiji and Taisho era (called Ijin-kan). Currently, 16 Ijin-kans are exhibited and open for the public to see, allowing visitors to give more than a passing thought to people’s lives back in the future. Among them, weathercock house and uroko house are splitting popularity, and is a must-see. Have a tour inside the houses with unique exterior and elaborately crafted interior and enjoy the picturesque atmosphere!
Weathercock House URL: http://www.feel-kobe.jp/_en/sightseeing/spot/?sid=84
Uroko house・Uroko museum URL: http://www.feel-kobe.jp/_en/sightseeing/spot/?sid=89
Nakhlistan 15:15-16:00
(Uroko house → Nakhlistan 15 minutes by foot)
Have a tea break at a fancy café restaurant where Muslims gather. It is a place for recreation and relaxation for Muslims, serving various halal foods and pretty stationaries from overseas countries. You can pray for Asr after having their specialty sweets. The owner is a Japanese Muslim woman, so the prayer space is fully equipped.
URL: https://www.halalgourmet.jp/restaurant/775
Former foreign settlement 16:15-17:00 (Nakhlistan → former foreign settlement 15 minutes by foot)
Former foreign settlement thrived as a foreign settlement at the time of opening ports, and still retain some remnants of the past. Classical modern buildings will make you feel as if you are in the corner of a European city.
URL: http://www.travel-around-japan.com/k66-01-kyu-kyoryuchi.html
KobeNankinmachi 17:00-17:45 (former foreign settlement → KobeNankinmachi 0 minutes by foot)
Nankinmachi is one of Japan’s 3 major Chinatowns along with Yokohama and Nagasaki. Approximately 100 stores selling various goods and services can be found in an area measuring 270m East to West and 110m South to North. Enjoy the lively, energetic Chinatown.
URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20151118190512/http://www.feel-kobe.jp:80/_en/sightseeing/spot/?sid=72
Kobeport tower 18:00-18:45 (KobeNankinmachi → Kobeport tower 15 minutes by foot)
Kobeport tower is the symbol of Kobe. It is 108m in height, and you can see an extensive view of Kansai on clear sunny days, including mount Rokko, Awajishima Island, Osaka, etc. One of the charm is the sights have different taste during the day, evening, and at night.
URL: http://www.kobe-port-tower.com/language/english.html
Kobe harborland (mosaic) 19:00-19:30
(Kobeport tower → Kobe harborland 10 minutes by foot)
The night view of Meriken park from Kobe harborland is a must-see!! You can take a look at various store while seeing the dreamy, romantic ocean view. Kobeport tower changes the color and pattern of illumination depending on the season, making people want to visit here many times.
URL: http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/kobe-harborland
MEZBAN 19:30-2100 (Kobe harborland → MEZBAN 0 minutes by foot)
Having dinner in a wide open store with a calm atmosphere while watching the ocean and night view of Kobe produces a high-grade sensation. Tandoori chicken and lamb chops served on a sizzling hot plate is the specialty of the Muslim owner chef!! There is a prayer space, so you can also pray for Maghrib.
URL: https://www.halalgourmet.jp/restaurant/792
How was the one-day model tour course of Kobe city? The attraction of Kobe is that it allows tourists to enjoy everything from the mountains to the ocean with an exotic atmosphere. People often come back to explore when they find an area they like. Please find your favorite area in Kobe and enjoy the city to the fullest.
Related Article
https://www.halalmedia.jp/archives/14692/first-prayer-space-tarumi-kobe-city-now-open/
