Although Kobe doesn’t often make it into many of Japan’s tourist pamphlets it is my special, special “Japan Happy Place.” It’s where I’ve spent the majority of the Japan-portion of my life and it’s also where I met my husband.
At the risk of sounding like a complete bossy boots… I also used to work in the Guest Relations and Executive Office at a Kobe Hotel in my 20s and it was literally my job to find the cool spots (still my best non-Mummy job to date. It was so awesome.)
Kobe is a beautiful, beautiful place to live but is also a fantastic place to base yourself if you want to see Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji or Awaji Island.
Scroll down if you’re looking for Kobe Beef restaurants that are also great for families.
Kobe is also home to one of Japan’s more affluent areas, Ashiya, and other area called Shukugawa which is particularly well-known for it’s stunning flower-viewing spots during cherry blossom season.
Japanese people often visit Kobe because of the wide streets, gorgeous green mountains and the ability to be on the water. Kobe is well known for its’ beef, steak and textiles.
The women, in particular, are beautifully groomed and even compared to the hustle and bustle of “get-your-hands-on-anything-from-anywhere” vibe of Tokyo, I still prefer a good clothing, accessories and homewares shop in Kobe. Actually…note. to. self. Plan child-free shopping trip to Kobe.
The centre of Kobe is so easy to navigate on foot. The city is mountainous on one side and has the port on the other. It’s possible to walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train station down to the water in about 25 minutes. As the view changes so much, I love the centre of town as you can find the rowdy bars, the ramen spots and then walk a little further and you’re strolling down gorgeous laneways lined with trees, outdoor dining and little zakka (ornaments , cards, clothing and homewares) stores.
The ability to walk around the city (although some roads are on an incline back up towards the mountains) make it perfect for a family with a stroller and/or a baby carrier. Like all Japanese cities, convenience stores and beautifully clean change rooms all over the city too.
The pavements are much wider than many parts of Japan which feels like a holiday in itself.
EXPLORING THE SANNOMIYA AREA WITH KIDS
As Kobe is located on a Port, it had access to a lot of goods from the west. The first thing that may surprise you is just how many amazing bakeries there are around town. Kobe is well known for it’s beautiful fresh bread – I really enjoy sampling a mix of french baquettes and pastries but also reaping the benenfits of the Japanese bakery too – little mini pizza rolls and curry pan (bread stuffed with Japanese curry ) etc.
Breakfast suggestion!
Just 1 min from Sannomiya Station is the most adorable little deli and wine bistro called “Tooth Tooth on the Corner.” I recommend visiting here with kids at breakfast or lunchtime (at dinner time it gives off date spot vibes so, for me personally, it doesn’t feel like a family vibe – but that’s just me.). But at lunch or in the morning it’s such a cute spot to sit and chill and people watch. I recommend bringing some colouring or stickers to entertain kids at the table. There isn’t a kids’ menu here. To me, this style of restaurant is “oh so Kobe” – very Europe meets Japan. If you are sitting on the terrace during the cooler months, the staff will give everyone a little blanket for their legs. I would budget for 3000 yen for an adult meal at lunch here – and more like 5000 yen at dinnertime. The Tooth Tooth on the Corner’s breakfast menu (9am-11am) has many different types of French Toast (ham & eggs french toast, caesar salad french toast, brulee french toast, peach french toast) as well as scrambled or baked eggs with sourdough. At lunch time they serve roast chicken, pastas and pizzas, salads and soups as well as deli plates with cheese and meats.
TOOTH TOOTH ON THE CORNER
神戸市中央区加納町4-2-1 EKIZO神戸三宮 1F
GROUND FLOOR, EKIZO KOBE SANNOMIYA BUILDING, KANOCHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 9AM-11PM
Ca Marche in Sannomiya sells more than 100 different types of bread. Pretty spectacular, yes? They also have an outdoor terrace. It’s also a completely non-smoking restaurant so is perfect to take children. Please note that this bakery is cash only.
CA MARCHE, SANNOMIYA
3-1-3 YAMAMOTO-DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
神戸市中央区山本通3-1-3
OPEN 10AM-6PM
CLOSED MON-WEDNESDAYS
If you’re looking for early morning breakfasts options -although there is no in-restaurant dining options available I still recommend Isuzu Bakery for a grab and go snack or meal. Isuzu Bakery has branches in 4 locations in Kobe. Motomachi, Kitanozaka, Ikuta Road and another near Sannomiya Station. They have as many as 5 types of curry bread alone and I recommend their Yamashoku (mountain shaped loaf of bread.)
ISUZU BAKERY NUNOBIKI (NEAR SANNOMIYA STATION)
神戸市中央区布引き2-1-2
2-1-2 NUNOBIKI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 9AM-9PM
If your little one has the wriggles in the Sannomiya area, I recommend going to the 8th floor of the Sogo Department Store. There is a small play area with toys set out. On the same floor is a baby room with change tables, breastfeeding spaces, a vending machine etc.
Sogo department stores opens at 10am.
The yummiest little cafe is Mother Moon Cafe, Sannomiya. The food is italian fusion and it’s a farm to table cafe. Please be aware that smoking is allowed on the terrace outside the restaurant. The staff are able to store a stroller for you while you dine (although they ask that you don’t bring the stroller inside the restaurant.) Mother Moon Cafe Sannomiya accept most major credit cards. Lunch here is approximately 2000 yen and dinner is more like 3000 yen. Mother Moon accept reservations and walk-ins. To get here, walk for 5 mins from Sannomiya Station. I recommend ordering one of their salad plates or a slice of one of their homemade cakes.
MOTHER MOON CAFE, SANNOMIYA
神戸市三宮町2-6-9
2-6-9 SANNOMIYA-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN MON-THURS & SUN & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11AM-9PM (LAST ORDERS 8PM) LUNCH MENU AVAILABLE UNTIL 3PM
OPEN FRI & SAT 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDERS 9PM) LUNCH MENU AVAILABLE UNTIL 3PM
*Random recommendation for while you’re in the Sannomiya area , on the 4th floor of Kobe Marui department store (the logo looks like “OIOI”) is a shoe store called “Oriental Traffic.” If you have big feet like me (I have size EU40-41 feet) this might help if you need some women’s footwear as this is one of the few shops that stock the LL sizes.
This sign in the picture was for during a sale where you could buy two pairs of shoes for 11,000 yen. This is the Oriental Traffic Ueno Store pictured here.
12 mins walk from Sannomiya Station (or 10 mins walk from Shin-Kobe Station) is Freundlieb Bakery & Cafe is an old church converted into a cafe and the building is a registered cultural asset. The menu includes roast beef or salad sandwiches, salads, sweet pastries and some lunch sets also come with a scoop of ice-cream.
You can see the entire menu on the Freundlieb Bakery Website here. Please note that there is a 10% service charge on top of the bill for customers who dine in.
Photo is courteous of the Feel Kobe website.
FREUNDLIEB KOBE
神戸市中央区生田町4-6-15
4-6-15 IKUTACHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 10AM-7PM
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
If you are struggling for gluten free options in Kobe there is a wheat free Pizza rice bowl at Dominos Pizza in Kobe. There are several Dominos stores in Kobe but the easiest to find is probably the Sannomiya Flower Road store. (Please note that the pizzas are not gluten free but this rice bowl is.) See the rice bowl on the Dominos Japan menu here. Other gluten free options from Dominos Japan include the Dominos Shake Real Strawberry and the Freshly Baked Fondant Chocolat. You can always order these on ubereats too.
DOMINOS SANNOMIYA FLOWER ROAD BRANCH
神戸市中央区磯部通4-2-8 田嶋ビル 1F
OPEN 11AM-1AM
Another dinner suggestion is Kichiri in Sannomiya. Kichiri is actually a chain of Izakaya restaurants in Japan so if you enjoy the beautiful interiors and amazingly Japanese-fusion menu, you’re in luck as you’ll likely find another in a different major city. Expect to pay around 3000 -4000 yen for dinner (it feels like a fancier restaurant but it’s actually quite reasonable. Every table has their own sectioned off booth.
They welcome kids and have highchairs and child-friendly crockery and cutlery. They don’t mind storing strollers for you either.
They also have an English menu.
This is not a non-smoking restaurant.
Note: it’s a shoes -off restaurant so wear your “good” socks, ok?
KICHIRI SANNOMIYA
神戸市中央区磯上通り8-1-19 カーサグランデ神戸 6F
CURSOR GRANDE 6F, 8-1-19 ISOGAMIDORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN: 5PM-2AM
KICHIRI SANKITA DORI
神戸市中央区北長狭通1-9-1 コトブキ馳走ビル3F
KOTOBUKI BUILDING 3F,1-9-1, KITANAGASADORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN: 5PM-2AM
Another night time suggestion is actually a freebie ! The observation deck at Kobe City Hall is open 10pm everyday of the week. It offers a beautiful view of Sannomiya & the Port Area. Kids love taking the elevator up this 24 floor deck too.
KOBE CITY HALL
神戸市中央区加納町6-5-1
6-5-1 KANO-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 8:15AM-10PM (FROM 10AM ON WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
ADMISSION : FREE
Pizza by the Slice
For a super casual ( and very very reasonable dinner) why not grab a slice of Pizza at 2BROSPIZZA?
It is 30 seconds walk from Hankyu Sannomiya Station or 112 metres from JR Sannomiya Station, located at the corner of Ikuta Road and Sankita Road.
There are 10 spots for dine-in customers. Cash only. There is a bench out front for takeout customers ( If you take out, remember that in Japan it is not considered good manners to eat and walk. Best to take it to a park or eat at your accommodation.)
There are three types of pizza available: Pepperoni, Cheese & Deluxe. They also sell soda and beer.
2BROS PIZZA
1-31-39 KITANAGASA-DORI, CHUO-KU ( CNR IKUTA RD & SANKITA RD)
OPEN 11AM-10PM
And if you’d prefer more of a casual pub vibe (and somewhere that welcomes kids) then I recommend going to Kushikatsu Tanaka Sannomiya for Kushikatsu for dinner.
Kushikatsu is fried meat and veggies on skewers- which makes it a really easy way for kids to sample lots of different little options. They also have edamame and fried chicken.
The restaurant is non-smoking and they even have a kids menu. Please note that this restaurant is cash only.
This restaurant is 7 mins from Sannomiya Station. Please note that there is a 300 yen service charge per person here.
KUSHIKATSU TANAKA, SANNOMIYA
神戸市北長狭通2-10-12
2-10-12 KITANAGASADORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 4PM-MIDNIGHT (OPEN FROM MIDDAY ON WEEKENDS)
In the same area, you can find Kobe New World cafe. The cuisine is “modern Japanese delicatessen.” (Lots and lots of fresh veggies on the menu here.) It is 1 mins walk from Sannomiya Station
Whether dining here for lunch or dinner, I would budget for 2000 yen for a meal here – great value for such beautiful food. Kobe New World accepts most major credit cards. There is a kids menu. The staff welcome families with strollers. If you are dining on the 2nd floor, please ask the staff to assist you with your stroller on the stairs. Ask your hotel reception desk to make a reservation for you. See pictures of the beautiful veggie-laden lunch menu here at Kobe New World (pop it through google translate if you need more info.)
KOBE NEW WORLD JAPANESE DELI CAFE
神戸市中央区北長狭通1-1 阪急神戸三宮駅西改札外 1F
GROUND FLOOR, SANNOMIYA STATION’S WEST GATE (JUST OUTSIDE THE TICKET GATES) 1-1 KITANAGASADORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY 10AM-10:30PM (LAST ORDERS 10PM)
If you’d like to eat incredible tempura, soba and just try some izakaya food as a family, I recommend dining at Stand Japa Soba Hanako. It is one minute walk from all of the Sannomiya Stations on all the train lines. This restaurant welcomes children who are 6 and older. This restaurant has gluten free AND vegetarian options (you will need to order carefully though if you are vegetarian and don’t want to eat anything cooked in fish stock – aka “dashi”). I recommend coming here for lunch or dinner (best to ask your hotel to make a reservation ahead of time). The vibe is casual and vibey. It’s lovely. I recommend getting the tempura, for sure! This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. They have free wifi here and power points so you can charge your phone, if you like. When dining here, I recommend budgeting for 2000-3000 yen per adult – like most izakayas in Japan, the idea is you order lots of little dishes and share as a group and then order more as you go.
STAND JAPA SOBA HANAKO
神戸市加納町4-2-1 EKIZO神戸三宮 1F 海側ゾーン
GROUND FLOOR , EKIZO KOBE SANNOMIYA BUILDING (ON THE SEASIDE SIDE OF THE BUILDING) 4-2-1 KANOUCHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY 11AM-11:30PM
EXPLORE KOBE HARBORLAND – A FABULOUS PLACE TO EAT AND PLAY WITH KIDS
Kobe Habourland on the waterfront is cheesy as can be but such an easy option with kids!
This place is lovely for a little walk, makes for beautiful photos and lots of kid-friendly dining options too.
If you are looking for breakfast options in Kobe Harborland – try Egg’n’Things is a Hawaiian breakfast spot with a fantastic view of the harbour. So if it amazing pancakes you’re craving – go here!
They have high chairs and the staff are very welcoming when it comes to families.
* The pictures below are of the Eggs’n’Things branch in Aqua City , Odaiba in Tokyo.
EGGS’N’THINGS KOBE
神戸市中央区東川崎町1-6-1
（神戸ハーバーランド Umie モザイク2F）
2ND FLOOR, KOBE HARBOURLAND, UMIE MOSAIC AREA,
1-6-1 KAWASAKI-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN: 9AM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)
*This Kobe restaurant is also open on Jan 1st ! (It’s rare to find open restaurants in Japan on New Years Day)
If you find yourself in this area around lunch time, there is an all you can eat restaurant here that I think is pretty good ( not fantastic fine dining , or anything, but great with fussy eaters or a family where everyone wants to eat something different. It’s called World Buffet Harborland. It’s actually a really well done buffet restaurant. See here for pictures of the types of food items served at this buffet restaurant.
This restaurant accepts walk-ins and reservations. They accept most major credit cards here. This restaurant also has free wifi. This restaurant welcomes kids and babies. They also have a small play space for children. There is also room to store strollers while you dine.
Menu items are clearly marked with common allergens.
All you can eat prices are as follows:
Weekday lunches: Adults (Junior High age and older) 1,500 yen, Seniors 1,350 yen, Elementary School Students 900 yen, Small children between 3-6 years old 550 yen.
Weekend lunches: Adults (Junior High age and older) 2,000 yen, Seniors 1,800 yen, Elementary School Students 1,100 yen, Small children between 3-6 years old 700 yen.
Weekday dinners: Adults (Junior High age and older) 1,700 yen, Seniors 1,600 yen, Elementary School Students 900 yen, Small children between 3-6 years old 700 yen.
Weekend dinners: Adults (Junior High age and older) 2,200 yen, Seniors 2,000 yen, Elementary School Students 1,100 yen, Small children between 3-6 years old 700 yen.
All you can drink alcohol is an additional 1,300 yen for 2 hours.
KOBE COOK, WORLD BUFFET, HARBORLAND KOBE
神戸市中央区東川崎町1-3-3 ハーバーセンタービル B1F
BASEMENT 1 FLOOR, HARBOR CENTRE BUILDING, 1-3-3 HIGASHI-KAWASAKI-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN WEEKDAYS 11AM-3:30PM & 5:30PM-9:30PM*
OPEN WEEKENDS & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11AM-3:30PM & 5PM-9:30PM*
Please note that final restaurant entry is 1 hour prior to the end of each meal session.
The Mosaic Complex at Kobe Harborland
The shopping centre in the Harborland/Mosaic Complex is pretty cute. Lots of little shops and little “fake Europe” style alleyways. I speak about it below in the day time suggestions, but there is a good okonomiyaki restaurant here called Botejyu. Details below.
This Calbee shop has such yummy chips (crisps and fries!)
Another lunch option at Mosaic at Kobe Harborland (with a gluten free option) is a chain hamburger/steak grill restaurant called “Bikkuri Donkey”. The title always makes me laugh as it literally translates to “Surprise Donkey” but the interior is quirky ( kind of like dining inside “Western River Railroad” at Disneyland.). It’s a casual restaurant and lots of families dine here.
The cuisine is “hamburger steaks served on mini hot plates.”
They have a cute kids menu . This Bikkuri Donkey has a lovely view of the harbor, so get a window seat, if you can.
It’s a great place for grease and fries if that’s what you’re craving.
The restaurant is non-smoking. They have a kids menu and they have high chairs.
There is one gluten free hamburger steak option at this restaurant too.
Some Bikkuri Donkey branches have also introduced a vegan soy hamburger steak (served with rice.) It’s usually on the menu down near the kids menu section.
BIKKURI DONKEY, HARBOURLAND STORE
神戸市中央区東川崎町1-6-1 MOSAIC 2F
MOSAIC 2F, 1-6-1 HIGASHI-KAWASAKI-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE-SHI
OPEN 10:30AM-11PM
For a different type of dinner suggestion, I recommend heading to Kobe Harborland for dinner to try Botejyu.
Botejyu is an okonomiyaki restaurant chain in Japan that has been around since 1946.
In Japan, okonomiyaki is seen as a comfort food. It is often referred to as a thick Japanese omelette made with cabbage and then diners choose their own fillings such as additional vegetables, meats or seafood. It is then decorated with sauces, mayonnaise and/or seaweed flakes. It is cooked on a hot plate in front of you so it is really good if you are fussy or just really need to be able to veto ingredients as they are added.
Read here for how to order a vegetarian version of okonomiyaki
Another option for food in Okonomiyaki restaurants is yakisoba – noodles cooked on the hot grill. It’s really popular and is often considered to be one of Japan’s most popular street food options.
Okonomiyaki restaurants are pretty much always really casual and a great way to share a cheap meal with friends or colleagues.
This restaurant accepts credit cards.
This is a completely non-smoking restaurant.
I would budget around 1000 yen for an adult meal for lunch and 2000 yen for dinner.
BOTEJYU KOBE HARBORLAND
神戸市中央区東川崎町1-6-1 UMIE MOSAIC 2F
2F, UMIE MOSAIC DEPARTMENT STORE, HIGASHI-KAWASAKI-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY: 11AM – 10PM
Mosaic often hold family-friendly pop up events at Mosaic at Kobe Harbourland (especially on weekends.)
Also in Harbourland – connected to Mosaic – is the Umie Department Store (pssst there is also a Toys R Us/ Babies R Us in here incase you need baby related goods such a baby food or nappies).
On the ground floor is a big mousetrap style installation/ statue-thingy – where the balls run down the little shoots and then get carried to the top again. My kids are fascinated by it.
And then while in the Harborland, Umie, Mosaic area, I recommend checking out the 300 yen homewares store 3 coins + Plus within the Umie Department Store – it’s full of beautiful modern, affordable goodies. Open 10AM-8PM.
This was the cute step up for Christmas in the middle of Umie Department Store.
In the evening you might want to consider a cruise around the harbour? The Kobe Cruise company are quite popular for dates and for young families.
There is a lunch cruise, a tea cruise, a twilight cruise and a night cruise.
KOBE CRUISE
I really should give the Anpanman Museum a mention (It will most certainly pop up on your phone if you google “things to do with kids” in this area. I took my little boy (2.5 years old) and he liked it enough to touch and spin and climb on everything but we did get through the “museum” (aka Anpanman themed play centre if you ask me…) very quickly…I mean….like… 45 minutes. Which was a bit rough for the 1500 yen per person – me included!
Japan has so many super-dooper play centres that we won’t be going back.
HOWEVER, if your child is a new walker and you want somewhere clean, dry and colourful – you may want to consider? Maybe? Maybe if it’s raining and you’re out of other ideas, maybe?
OR if they are a hardcore Anpanman character fan and under 3 years old…they may still find it fun.
Note: strollers need to be parked at the entrance. No food and drink inside.
Shoes can stay on for indoor play.
See here for more information on Anpanman and what he is all about.
**Can I give a little tip?** Right next the museum is a complimentary Anpanman-themed shopping mall. My little boy loved the shops, the arcade games and the restaurants just as much as he loved the actual museum and it didn’t cost me a thing to enter! Something to consider….***
ANPANMAN MUSEUM KOBE
神戸市中央区東川崎町1-6-2
1-6-2 KAWASAKI-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
MUSEUM HOURS 10AM-6PM
SHOPPING CENTRE HOURS 10AM-7PM
MUSEUM ADMISSION IS 1500 YEN PER PERSON (FREE FOR BABIES UNDER 1)
THE MERIKEN PARK AREA WITH KIDS
If you walk around to the other side of the harbor you will end up at Meriken Park.
One area to check out here is the Earthquake Memorial. As you may be aware, Kobe had a devastating earthquake in 1995. Part of Meriken Park (next to the port) has been left the same as after the earthquake. It’s an outdoor memorial and is a great way to talk to children about earthquakes. There are some informative plaques and a movie plays anytime between 9AM – 10:30PM. It is a small memorial and 99% outdoors.
Unfortunately this isn’t a formal museum or anything. Just a few plaques, a video and one part of the port shows how much destruction there really was.
Not far from the Earthquake Memorial, is this open park area which has lots of room for children to run around and a little water play area.
*Clearly, it was a lot colder when I took the pictures below.
The Port of Kobe has a lot of space and a big piece of flat grassland. Perfect for a run around or a good game of hide’n’seek at any time of day. (Pictures below show this space being used for a Summer festival.)
For the grownups there is a Starbucks right on the water, open from 7:30AM-10PM.
And just behind the Starbucks is this sculpture that kids can play on.
And, in Meriken Park ( closer to the earthquake memorial) you’ll find a lot of cool street art on the walls.
THE KYUKYORYUCHI (AKA THE FORMER FOREIGNERS SETTLEMENT) AREA WITH KIDS
This area looks especially European- wide streets, big western style bank like buildings.
For a truly luxurious hotel breakfast in this area, I loooooooove the breakfast buffet at the Oriental Hotel Kobe, just above Barneys New York. Breakfast is served on the 17th floor with a view of the mountains. The other side of the restaurant offers a spectacular view of the harbour too. If it’s a family members’ birthday, let them know to organize a “surprise” fruit plate. Breakfast is 2,700 yen per person.
This restaurant also prepares the most beautiful “kids plate” for children – smiley potato smiley faces, pasta, burger patty, fried prawn and a small salad – all arranged beautifully for dinner and lunch.
MAIN DINING RESTAURANT, ORIENTAL HOTEL KOBE
神戸市中央区京町25オリエンタルホテル17F北西フロア
NORTH WESTERN SIDE OF THE 17TH FLOOR, ORIENTAL HOTEL,
25 KYOMACHI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
New Rough Rare in Kyukyoruchi (the old foriegners’ settlement next to Motomachi & Sannomiya) is a trendy cafe that makes for an easy lunch or dinner with kids. It’s open from 10am everyday.
You can see the full New Rough Rare menu here.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
I used to go here often when I lived in Kobe and we have been back with our kids for dinner. It was so nice and easy. This restaurant is doing so well that they just added a whole new floor!
This restaurant is 8 mins walk from JR Motomachi Station (via the East Exit.) They accept most major credit cards.
This restaurant has space to store strollers while you dine.
NEW ROUGH RARE
神戸市中央区明石町１８-２ 大協ビル２-４Ｆ
2-4th FLOOR, 18-2 AKASHIMACHI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN 11AM-10PM
CLOSED FOR THE NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS
For a much smaller but free play space, you can also go to the 5th floor of Daimaru Department Store. I think this area wouldn’t be much fun for children much older than 2.
Along the outside of the Daimaru Department Store is a beautiful outdoor cafe – it all feels very European, actually. It’s called Caferra. It’s not a cheap cup of coffee ( around 800 yen) but the staff are professionally trained baristas. Coffee on the terrace also means that kids can get a hot chocolate outside with some additional wriggle room. I always feel better if kids spill outside over inside a cafe too.
CAFERRA
神戸市中央区明石町40大丸神戸店1F
GROUND FLOOR, DAIMARU KOBE DEPARTMENT STORE, AKASHIMACHI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY 9:45AM-9PM
Also in this area, I recommend tofu restaurant Umenohana. Please don’t confuse this for a vegan restaurant. They definitely serve meat and fish and most of the dishes contain fish stock. However, it a great way to enjoy a traditional Japanese meal with children. This restaurant also does beautifully prepared bentos – tofu hamburgers (contain meat) bentos or wagyu beef bentos. When dining in here I recommend budgeting 4000 yen per adult. Dining options include Shabu Shabu hot pot, yuba dishes, sashimi. The children’s lunch plate includes juice, chawanmushi, a mini tofu hamburger, french fries, a mini tofu salad, a mini gratin, fried prawn, potato croquette, tofu dumpling, a rice ball and an ice-cream dessert. All for 1700 yen. This restaurant doesn’t mind if you bring in baby food for your baby. There is also space for you to store your stroller while you dine.
Umenohana Motomachi is 8 mins walk from Motomachi Station. They accept most major credit cards.
UMENOHANA, KOBE – MOTOMACHI
神戸市中央区海岸通3番地 シップ神戸海岸ビル 15Ｆ
15TH FLOOR, SHIP KOBE KAIGAN BUILDING, 3BANGAI, KAIGANDORI, CHUO-KU
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR LUNCH 11AM-4PM ((LAST ORDER 3PM)
OPEN EVERYDAY FOR DINNER 5PM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9PM)
CLOSED DEC 31 & JAN 1
If you’re visiting Kobe during the winter months, you may be lucky enough to visit during Kobe Luminarie. I’ve written about Luminarie Kobe here.
CHINA TOWN (NANKIN-MACHI) IN KOBE WITH KIDS
We also really enjoy a little walk through China Town (called “Nankin-machi”) in Kobe. The kids loved the street food and everything is affordable and you’re still so close to the harbor and main city area. This China Town is very small so you really only need to plan 15-30 mins here to explore.
THE MOTOMACHI AREA WITH KIDS
Near Motomachi station, if you really want to traumatize your children?
Take them outside Motomachi McDonalds for a photo with this guy.
Did you know that instead of fries at McDonald’s Japan you can order a side of edamame and corn. My daughter LOVES it!
A reader of my blog also gave me such an amazing suggestion – you can order a McDonald’s side salad and mix it with the edamame and corn to make a slightly heartier salad for under 600 yen!
*side note: McDonald’s fries are not vegetarian/vegan – they are fried in beef fat.
A Vegetarian & Vegan restaurant in Kobe
Modern Ark restaurant & cafe is one of my favourite places to have a bite to eat in Kobe. It’s a vegetarian restaurant but even my very-much-non-vegetarian husband loves to eat here. This is the best place to go if you have allergies. The staff know exactly what goes into every single dish – including their freshly baked desserts.
They have an English website with their menu listed. A lunch or dinner plate is around 1000 yen.
The restaurant uses as much organic produce as they can get their hands on. They also have some vegan options.
Our favourite is the Chilli Bean Burrito. I also love the soy bean hamburger patty. This restaurant is listed on the Halal Japan website.
This cafe is cash only.
神戸市中央区北長狭通3-11-15
3-11-15 KITANAGASA DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY 11:30AM-10PM
While in the area, I highly recommend a shopping walk under the train tracks from Sannomiya through to Motomachi Station. Even if just for the window shopping element. There are lots of colourful knick knacks, foodtruck-style shops and clothing stores. This is where you’ll pick up some truly unique Kobe kitsch gifts for family and friends.
This area under the tracks is called kokashita.
This is also a great way to make most of your walk from Sannomiya to Motomachi undercover on a rainy day. Even if the shops are closed – the roller doors are decorated with some pretty cool street art. Kobe is very clean and a bit posh but this shows a more local side of the city.
THE KITANO AREA WITH KIDS
This place will always have a space in my heart – this is where I used to live.
If you’re keen on having your whole family sample some of the famous Kobe beef (Kobe beef can be extremely rich and fatty), a more child-friendly way of doing it can be in a Kobe Beef Quiche. (Scroll down if you prefer to eat Kobe Beef in a Kobe Beef restaurant.)
It’s a huge call but…. Quicheya is my most favourite place to eat in Kobe. At night it is a quiche and wine pairing bar but during the day it is possible to pick up a few of these speciality quiches to take away for a snack or a picnic.
If you do get a moment of kid-free time in Kobe after 6pm- please go here! It’s our favourite date night spot. It’s cozy and, surprisingly, quiche is an amazing dish to share over wine.
They are open for takeout from 11AM-11PM.
Quiche selection includes ; Kobe Sukiyaki Quiche, Quiche Lorraine, Smoked Salmon, Blue Cheese, Beef stewed in Red Wine Quiche, Spinach Quiche, Hijiki Seaweed with Soybeans, Ham, Potato Gratin, Sausage & Basil, Pork stewed with Lentils Quiche, Margherita. Soooo good.
QUICHEYA
神戸市中央区山本通り1-7-5 メゾンブランシュB1
BASEMENT FLOOR, MAISON BRANCHE BUILDING, YAMAMOTO DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN FOR TAKEOUT 11AM-11PM
CLOSED MONDAYS
For really really really delicious pizza I recommend an Italian restaurant in this area called Pizzeria Azzurri in Kitano. Budget for around 2500 yen per person for lunch and 3000 yen for dinner. Reservations possible. Most major credit cards accepted. Entire restaurant is non-smoking.
PIZZERIA AZZURI
神戸市中央区山本通3-7-3 ユートピアトーア１F
GROUND FLOOR, 3-7-3 YAMAMOTO DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN FOR LUNCH 12PM-3PM (LAST ORDER 2:30PM)
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-10PM (LAST ORDER 9PM)
CLOSED THURSDAYS & THE 1ST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
If you’re walking up the mountain-side of Kobe in the early morning or afternoon (up towards Shin-Kobe Station along Kitanozaka Road) you’ll come across Kitano Ijinkan Starbucks. This area is where many diplomats and foreign merchants settled after the ports opened in the latter half of the 19th Century. One of these beautiful homes has been converted into the most gorgeous Starbucks. It has so much character.
STARBUCKS, KITANO IJINKAN
神戸市中央区 北野町3-1-31 北野物語館
KITANO MONOGATARI, 3-1-31 KITANO-CHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN EVERYDAY 8AM-10PM
Izakaya (specializes in seafood, sushi and tempura)
This izakaya Sugidama is completely non-smoking (if you’ve been in Japan for a hot minute, you will know that this is not an easy things to find.). They also are fine for kids to come along.
This is NOT a touristy spot and I mean that in the best way. This is where you will find people dining after work or catching up with a friend. They do have an English menu but don’t be afraid to copy what someone next to you has ordered if it looks amazing (it might be a special not on the ready-made English menu.) If you’d like to say “Please give me the same” (while pointing) say 同じものください onaji mono kudasai.
Remember that at izakayas at dinner time you order lots of small dishes that are designed to be shared (it would be quite weird to order one dish per person.)
While at lunchtime you choose a “lunch set” (there are several to choose from here) per person and it comes out kind of in a big bento style way. At lunch, I recommend getting the sushi & tempura set – it also comes with a soup.
For lunch here, I would budget 2000 yen per adult and approximately 3000 yen per adult at dinner time.
I recommend getting the sashimi of the day and the seasonal vegetable tempura (it comes with two types of salt for dipping and I love this so much more than a tempura sauce). For those with kids who aren’t in a “new food” type of mood – they also have fries.
Sugidama is 5 mins walk from Sannomiya Station.
This restaurant accepts most major credit cards. It is possible to make reservations here – ask your hotel to call for you.
SUGIDAMA, KITANOZAKA KOBE
神戸市中央区加納町4-6-11 マスターズビル 1F
GROUND FLOOR MASTERS BUILDING, 4-6-11 KANOCHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN WEEKDAYS 5PM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SATURDAYS 11:30AM-11PM (LAST ORDER AT 10:30PM)
OPEN SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 11:30AM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9PM)
OTHER KOBE SUGGESTIONS WITH KIDS
Japanese Garden, Sorakuen
A beautiful walk through a Japanese garden is the perfect thing to do with kiddies. I highly recommend Sorakuen – regardless of the weather. In fact, there is something magical about Japanese gardens on rainy days.
Also, every season in this garden looks completely different.
It’s just 10 minutes walk from Motomachi Station.
SORAKUEN
中央区中山手通5-3-1
5-3-1 NAKAYAMATE DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN: 9AM-5PM
CLOSED : THURSDAYS
Nunobiki Herb Garden
Or you could take the ropeway up the mountain to Nunobiki Herb Garden for a walk, lunch or a cup of tea with some cake. There are some gift shops, greenhouses and ice-cream shops in the garden. Lots of places to run and play. The garden offers a beautiful view of the city.
NUNOBIKI HERB GARDEN
神戸市中央区北野町1-4-3
1-4-3 KITANOCHO, CHUO-KU, KOBE
WHERE TO EAT KOBE BEEF WITH KIDS IN KOBE
If you do want to try Kobe Beef while in the land of Kobe beef then I recommend, especially with children, going to a beef specialty restaurant for lunch over dinner. Lunch will most likely cost close to 7000 yen per person (per adult, I mean) whereas dinner can often end up being more than double that amount. As I mentioned above, Kobe Beef is rich and fatty. It is famous for its high quality and beautiful presentation. I’m only writing about this because I’ve met so many international visitors who, mistakenly, anticipated a big texas style steak ending up on their plate. Kobe Beef is about the delicacy and the flavour. It’s designed to be eaten as part of a course.
I recommend these restaurants for when eating Kobe beef with children.
Kobe steak restaurant Mouriya has 4 branches all over Kobe. They have a comprehensive Kobe Mouriya English website here.
I recommend ordering a specialty lunch course to get the most value for your money and really see what the chefs can do. All branches open around 11AM. The dress code for all is smart casual. Many of the staff members speak English well. There is room for a stroller in the restaurant.
I get so many emails from families thanking me for introducing them to this restaurant ! Can’t recommend it enough!
If you’re watching your budget and it doesn’t allow for a specialty course – maybe you’d like to consider Kobe Steakland? It’s a cheaper, much more casual version. The restaurant is more like a local, rustic pub with a big teppanyaki plate. Personally, I’d rather take guests to Mouriya, but this is more of a “pay for pieces of meat you want to eat” kind of idea. The restaurant is extremely well-known and the service is warm and friendly. Expect to pay around 2500 – 3000 yen per adult.
The restaurant has highchairs. The staff here are happy to store your stroller while you dine and also give you boiling water for milk bottles etc.
KOBE STEAKLAND
1ST & 2ND FLOOR, MIYASAKU BUILDING, 1-8-2 KITANAGASADORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
神戸市中央区北長狭通1-8-2
OPEN 11AM-11PM
Or if you are looking for Halal options for Kobe Beef, I recommend a Halal Certified Kobe Beef restaurant called Sakura, located next to Kobe Mosque. They serve A5 grade Wagyu.
They do accept reservations. For an adult, I would expect to pay around 6000 yen for lunch and 12,000 yen for dinner.
10 minutes walk from Sannomiya Station.
They do accept most major credit cards. They do have an English menu & a special children’s menu ( a special child’s plate option for children in elementary school or younger.)
They do have high chairs and space for strollers.
The entire restaurant is non-smoking and they offer free wifi for diners.
Please note there is a 10 % service charge when dining here.
SAKURA
2F LION BUIDING SANNOMIYA KAN, 2-17-10 SHIMO-YAMATE DORI, CHUO-KU
中央区 下山手通 2-17-10ライオンビル三宮館2F
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11:30AM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 5:30PM-10:30PM
CLOSED MONDAYS & THE DAY FOLLOWING A NATIONAL HOLIDAY
For a beautiful teppanyaki steak restaurant, I also recommend Genkichi Kobe Beef.
This is a lovely high end beef restaurant where the beef is cooked in front of diners on the teppanyaki.
They have high chairs.
Lunch courses are approximately 6000 yen per adult. Dinner courses start at 10,000 yen. Genkichi accepts most major credit cards. Service charge is 5%. This is a non-smoking restaurant.
GENKICHI KOBE
神戸市中央区中山手通1-4-23レインボービル１F.
GROUND FLOOR, RAINBOW BUILDING, 1-4-23 NAKAYAMATE-DORI, CHUO-KU, KOBE
OPEN FOR LUNCH TUES – SUN 12PM-3PM
OPEN FOR DINNER DAILY 5PM -9:30PM ( LAST ORDER 9PM)
Ashiya & Shukugawa are a few stops away from Sannomiya. Both towns are on the river and make for lovely walks , particularly during cherry blossom season.
My favourite cafe and gorgeous zakka shop is Space R.
They serve specialty coffee and are well known for their cakes. If you feel like something heavier, they also offer rice dishes, soups , small salads and sandwiches.
The beautiful store stocks stationery, photo frames, placemats, cups and saucers etc.
SPACE R
芦屋市茶屋之町1-12
1-12 CHAYANOCHO, ASHIYA
OPEN 11AM-10PM
EXTRA TIP:
If you are in Kobe in the heat of Summer with small children, I recommend travelling to Rokko Island. There is a free splash zone /park area just under the Rokko Island Liner Station. Its so spacious and great for little kids.
Another area to explore is Mt Rokko. There are lots of beautiful big open areas for children to run around, pick fruit, try a Japanese onsen (hot springs.) The Fruits Flower Park is a beautiful park with flowers and some amusement park rides. It’s a full day event that is best saved for a sunny day.
Or a short hike from Shin-Kobe Station to Nunobiki Falls? The path is well made and the walk takes around 20 mins (for adult legs.)
Another idea, is to visit Kidzania in Kobe. This is the theme park where kids can try out adult jobs and it is done so well.
Here is my write up of the Kidzania Tokyo branch. The Kobe branch is less manic. It is located in Koshien.
Kobe is close to Osaka and Kyoto (just a short train ride to each of these cities.)
If you are looking for places to feed and change baby – check the MamaPapaMap app for the latest information.
