-I will take you to a hidden gem Japanese restaurant that locals love. Everyone really enjoys it!
- Special tour designed for guests arriving on a fancy cruise ship at Kobe Port.
- Explore lively Chinatown with delicious scents and tastes.
- Shop for souvenirs at Kobe Port Tower
- Visit Ikuta Shrine for a peaceful cultural experience.
- Take a thrilling ropeway ride at Nunobiki Herb Gardens for stunning views.
We apologize, but our tours are currently available for group bookings only. We do not accept reservations for individual travelers.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, and Sun
Start times
9:00 AM and 10:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 20–80)
$117
Youth (ages 13–19)
$58
Child (ages 7–12)
$26
Infant (ages 0–6)
$19
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
Kobe City Private Tours
Pickup included
Itinerary
Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
30 min
1. Sightseeing: Nankinmachi is a historic area adorned with Chinese-style buildings and decorations, allowing participants to appreciate its unique ambiance.
2. Shopping: Nankinmachi offers a variety of traditional Chinese goods and souvenirs for purchase, giving participants the opportunity to shop and bring home mementos.
3. Dining Experience: With numerous Chinese restaurants and cafes, participants can savor authentic Chinese cuisine and enjoy tea in the area.
Kobe Port Tower
Admission not included30 min
At Kobe Port Tower, you can enjoy sake tasting! You can also find souvenirs that are perfect for Kobe gifts!
Ikuta-Jinja Shrine
30 min
Exploring the Shrine Grounds: Visitors can wander through the serene grounds of Ikuta Shrine, taking in the beauty of the traditional architecture, lush greenery, and peaceful atmosphere.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
Admission not included120 min
1. Herb Garden Exploration: The expansive grounds feature a wide variety of herbs and plants for visitors to enjoy while strolling through the garden, taking in the fragrant scents of the herbs.
2. Herb Workshops: The herb gardens host workshops and experiential events related to herbs. Participants can learn about herb cultivation, cooking with herbs, and brewing herbal teas while having fun.
3. Herb Product Shopping: The on-site shops offer organic products, herbal teas, and extracts made with herbs for visitors to purchase. Tourists can buy herb products as souvenirs or for personal use.
4. Dining at Restaurants and Cafes: Within the herb gardens, there are restaurants and cafes serving dishes and sweets made with herbs. Visitors can savor herb-infused cuisine while relaxing in the fragrant surroundings.
What's included
Included
Gratuities
Not included
I will take you to a beloved Japanese restaurant that is not easily found by tourists. The lunch prices range from 2,000 yen to 5,000 yen.
Public transportation at your own cost is needed for this tour. From JR Kobe Station to JR Sannomiya Station costs 150 yen. From Sannomiya Subway Station to Shin-Kobe Station costs 210 yen.
Admission to Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens plus ropeway ticket: 2,500 yen per adult.
Pickup Locations & Times
I will be standing in front of the escalator on the third floor holding a welcome board, so customers can easily find me and feel at ease.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
18 reviews
5
17
4
0
3
1
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Kobe
No. 18 by number of reviews among 173 tours in Kobe
Starting price $117 is 21% below the typical $148 for tours of similar length in Kobe
Excurgo comparison of 173 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Kobe City Private Tours take?
Kobe City Private Tours lasts about 5–6 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Kobe City Private Tours cost?
Prices start at $117 per person for this Kobe experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Kobe City Private Tours run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
How much does Kobe City Private Tours cost for children?
Children aged 7–12 pay from $26, adults from $117.
Can I cancel Kobe City Private Tours for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. I will be standing in front of the escalator on the third floor holding a welcome board, so customers can easily find me and feel at ease.
What languages is Kobe City Private Tours offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Kobe City Private Tours worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 18 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by 株式会社M•Summer-Connect.
Reviews(18)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
StephenMorris_S
June 30, 2026 · via Viator
Glorious day in Kobe
I booked this trip a few days in advance and I was very pleased to hear that I was the only participant and they were willing to go ahead with the tour.
My guide was the wonderful Lucy (Ikuko). Her English was execellent and she was a delight! Bubbly, fun and a wonderful person. She had great knowledge of her home town.
The tour was a great mix of local sites and gave a general overview of Kobe with interesting and beautiful places to see - and some I revisted in the preceeding days. The Herb Garden was stunning!
I would not hestitate to recommend this tour!
Operator response
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour in Kobe.
While we are currently focusing on group tours and are not accepting bookings for individual travelers, we remain fully committed to sharing the charm of Kobe with all our guests. We look forward to continuing our efforts to provide memorable experiences.
H
HILDE_V
May 5, 2026 · via Viator
Beautiful day in Kobe
We had a wonderful day with a sweet and experienced guide, she talked about Kobe's history and present. She took us more to many sights.
Operator response
I also had a truly fantastic day visiting my favorite spots in Kobe with both of you.
I hope you continue to have a wonderful time discovering many more amazing things in Japan!
J
Jennifer_M
May 3, 2026 · via Viator
Fantastic tour of Kobe!
A thorough and interesting tour of Kobe! Lucy was incredible from start to finish, focusing on our interests and comfort throughout. We hit all the highlights and Lucy provided interesting background on everything. Highly recommended tour!
Operator response
I read your review after finishing my tour today.
It made me so happy that I found myself reading it over and over again.
Since the day after our tour on the 29th, I’ve been checking the weather and imagining how much you both must be enjoying the rest of your time in Japan.
I hope the rest of your journey continues to be filled with wonderful and exciting experiences!
Lucy
N
Natalia_S
April 19, 2026 · via Viator
Highly recommended!
Great mix of sights and experiences. The team was incredibly kind and attentive, and we felt very well taken care of throughout the tour. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Thank you for writing a review! We are very happy that you enjoyed our tour. We look forward to seeing you again!
Natsuko
1
185rodneyh
April 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Outstanding day in Kobe with Lucy
Lucy the guide was outstanding so friendly and knowledgeable spoke very good english listened to us in questions we had to ask
A fabulous day with a fabulous guide
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review.
I will never forget the time I spent showing you around our beautiful Kobe.
It is a memory I will carry with me for the rest of my life here.
I truly hope that your wonderful travels continue for many years to come.
Thank you again for everything.
With gratitude,
Lucy
P
Peter_M
April 15, 2026 · via Viator
Best Kobe City Tour
Mahoko is a fantastic guide. She speaks excellent English having spent many years in America. We were collected from the Port for an intial rour round the town. We then had a fabulous seafood meal at a traditional Japanese restauraunt where we sat at tables watching as the chef prepared and served our dishes.. Finally we took the cable car to the mountain top and she was very knowleable about the herb garden plants as we descended. We took taxis where necessary to get through the itinerary. We paid for the meal and the taxis. I can't recommend too highly this tour with Mihoko as the guide
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the Japanese lunch course, carefully crafted by the talented chef. Your passion for plants and gardens was truly inspiring—I learned so much from you! Wishing you many wonderful memories during your time in Japan. -Mahoko
W
William_K
April 14, 2026 · via Viator
Best Tour Ever
Our party of 3 was met in a timely manner and afterwards we all agreed we had just experienced one of the best tour inside a city in our lifetimes. Asaka was our guide and she was delightful to see a large swath of Kobe using a variety of transportation modes. Her charm, knowledge, linguistic styling, and ability to maneuver around town was perfect. We visited many memorable and so enjoyed the Kobe with Wagyu comparison lunch at the restaurant off the beaten path. We all agreed that our 6 hours together flew by and brought true gladness to our minds.
It was beautiful day. 🙏
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot to me.
I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour—it was a pleasure spending time with you.
I hope you will come back to Japan again in the future. You are always welcome, and I would love to see you again!
G
Georgia_T
April 9, 2026 · via Viator
Spectacular Kobe Tour
We had a wonderful day with Lucy our guide. she met us at the cruise terminal and then we took the cable car to the herb garden, visited a Shrine and then had the most wonderful Kobe beef meal at
At Marco. Then went to Kobe Port Tower and China Town. I would highly recommend this tour. It’s perfectly paced and Lucy is a delight.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your review; I was really happy to hear from you.
We talked about many things, and I remember every conversation being so interesting. Your mangoes must be delicious.
Richard also loves many kinds of bamboo.
Please take care and enjoy your trip to other countries. I hope you’ll visit Japan again sometime!
Safe travels.
Best regards,
Lucy
G
Geoff H
April 2, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Friendly, prompt, knowledgeable
Natsuko was on time and in the correct location. Her car was clean, tidy and in very good condition. She was extremely pleasant and knowledgeable about the area as she has lived here all her life. The herb gardens were spectacular in full bloom and the walk back down easy and interesting. She then took us to a shrine, Chinatown, a great Japanese restaurant for lunch. Afterwards we went to the old part of town to go through some homes. Great day.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I really appreciate it. I had such a calm and nice day as your tour guide, with you and your lovely wife. The flowers were beautiful, and the walk in the herb garden was amazing, wasn't it? Thank you for visiting Japan during the best season when the cherry blossoms are blooming. I'm glad I could show you a restaurant that represents the best of Japan. I hope to see you again soon. Thank you for a lovely day!
Natsuko
J
Jan_F
April 1, 2026 · via Viator
Mahoko showed us a...
Mahoko showed us a wonderful time in Kobe. She's very friendly and easy to talk with.
The gondola ride and the green gardens we're spectacular!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!I’m truly glad I could take you to the herb garden during the most beautiful time of the year, when it delights the eyes and soothes the senses with its fragrance. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan during the cherry blossom season! Mahoko
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