I lived in Kobe for 7 years and I also worked at a hotel on the harbour (and I love love loved that job!)
Here are all of my family friendly tips for spending time in Kobe with kids.
But for now, here are my family-friendly places to stay in Kobe.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Koko Hotel Kobe Sannomiya
A clean, simple business hotel. Perfect for families on the move. We have stayed at this property a few times with the kids. It definitely isn’t fancy but it’s also fabulous for just a nice clean place to stay in a convenient location. There is a coin laundry and a microwave on the third floor. It’s located in the Kyukyoruchi (Old Foreigner’s Settlement) so the streets are wide and many of the buildings look quite European. Easy access to the Harbor, Sannomiya and Motomachi.
The cafe restaurant “Rough Rare” is just 5 mins walk – so family-friendly. I have pics and the address in my Kobe with kids blog post. Daimaru and Barney’s New York is also close by.
This hotel is especially popular around Luminarie.
This hotel is very reasonably priced so it wouldn’t be too crazy to get a few rooms for a larger family.
Breakfast is a simple but yummy buffet breakfast.
Hotel Okura Kobe
Right on the Harbour- Okura is one of Japan’s most prestigious “oh so authentically Japanese” hotel brands. They are well known for their incredible customer service – and I also recommend making a reservation to have a teppanyaki lunch at the hotel restaurant Sazanka here too.
They have an outdoor pool here in July & August but it isn’t included in the room rate so best to check first. There is also a fitness centre and indoor pool but please check ahead for additional charges.
Many Japanese celebrities are known to stay in the suites on the top floors (and some even live here!)
Some of the suites also have Japanese style rooms with western style bedding.
Normal rooms can be hard for families if your children are too big to bed share. 
Royal Park Canvas Sannomiya
Simple and modern hotel. This one is also so convenient. The lounge area in the lobby is big and flooded with natural light- it is used as a breakfast restaurant in the morning and then a bar at night.
Rooms can accommodate 1-3 adults (more people if you have children young enough to bed share.) The suites can accommodate 4 adults (and bed sharing children.) Check in is at 3pm and checkout at 11am.
There is a gym in the hotel and an on-site coin laundry. There is a breastfeeding room on the ground floor too.
Candeo Hotels
Random suggestion: but if you were happy to all split off into groups of twos and threes, as a family, the Candeo hotel brand is fab and they have an onsen on the top of the hotels. I suggest this as I find it to be one of the more affordable hotels. The onsen on the roof is so lovely – separated by gender. This brand is found in most Japanese major cities.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
