Kobe Motomachi Maiko | Exploring Chinatown, Visiting the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and Enjoying Kobe Beef Teppanyaki

Historic Trading Port with Fusion of Western and Japanese Cuisine

The Chinatown of Kobe, known as " Nankinmachi”.

Traveling from Kansai Airport to Kobe is easy, with several transportation options available. You can take the HARUKA express train to Osaka Station and then transfer to the JR Kobe Line, or take an airport bus that goes directly to Kobe. While Kobe’s central business district is small, it is home to many historic buildings and a distinctly European feel, reflecting its status as one of Japan’s first international trading ports. As a result, Kobe’s culture is more open and international.

Near the Sannomiya Station in Kobe, you’ll find the famous Nankinmachi Chinatown, which is popular with both domestic and international tourists. One notable shop here is " Ganso Butamanju Roshoki", a longstanding establishment that has been making "buta manju" (steamed pork buns) since 1916. Despite the long lines, the buns are worth the wait, with thin wrappers and juicy, flavourful filling, making them an excellent snack.

" Ganso Butamanju Roshoki” founded in 1916, specializes in steamed pork buns. The thin-skinned, meaty pork buns are highly favored by the locals.

Adjacent to Chinatown is the covered Motomachi Shopping Street, where you’ll find "Kurimatsu", a shop specializing in "Mont Blanc" French-style chestnut cakes. They also sell a traditional Japanese-style gift version called "Kurimatsu Senbon." If you don’t want to take the cake to go (it requires refrigeration), you can enjoy a freshly made version in the store, watching the staff meticulously pour the chestnut puree over whipped cream and meringue. The process is surprisingly soothing to watch.

The specialty of "Kurimatsu"is called "Kurimatsu Senbon".

Ganso Butamanju Roshoki

Address: 1 Chome-3-7 Motomachidori, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0022

Phone: +81- 78-331-7726

Opening Hours: 10am-6:30pm

Website: https://roushouki.com/ ( Japanese)

Kurimatsu

Address: 2-2-8 Motomachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Opening Hours: 11am-7pm （ last order 6:30pm ）

Website: https://www.instagram.com/waguri_kurimatu_/

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge: Once the World’s Longest Suspension Bridge

From Sannomiya Station or Motomachi Station, you can take the JR Tokaido Sanyo Line along the scenic coastline for about 30 minutes to Maiko Station. Right in front of the station is Maiko Park, home to two must-see attractions. First, there’s the grand Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, which connects Kobe to Awaji Island and was once the world’s longest suspension bridge before being surpassed by the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey in 2022. Standing under the bridge, you’ll be struck by the breathtaking views of the bridge, sea, and sky. For a closer experience, you can pay an entry fee to access the "Maiko Marine Promenade," which features a café, exhibits, and a glass-floor walkway suspended 47 meters above the sea, offering stunning views below.

The elegant Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the magnificent Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Website: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1049/

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall with Historical Artifacts

Next to the bridge is the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, housed in the historic building "Ijokaku villa”, once the seaside residence of Chinese businessman Wu Jintang, who hosted Dr. Sun Yat-sen. This building is the oldest surviving concrete brick building in Japan and is a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Western architectural styles. The museum showcases artifacts from Dr. Sun’s visits to Japan (at least 16 times), with a particular focus on his connections to Kobe. Exhibits include his calligraphy, personal items, and even clothing from his wedding to Soong Ching-ling.

The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is located inside the historic building "Ijokaku villa”.

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

Address: 2051 Higashimaiko-cho, Tarimizu-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo Prefecture

Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm (Admission until 4:30 pm),close on Monday and new year holiday

Admission Fee: Adult 300 yen, Free for elementary, junior high, and high school students and younger, Special treatment (over 70 years old) 200 yen

Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Maiko Station, 6 minutes walk from Sanyo Electric Railway Maiko Koen Station

Website: https://www.sonbunkinenkan.com/en/%E3%83%A1%E3%82%BF%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9

Don’t Miss Kobe Beef

For most visitors, Kobe is synonymous with Kobe beef. There are plenty of restaurants specializing in Kobe beef throughout the city, many of which are accustomed to serving tourists, offering menus in multiple languages and dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes. On Ikuta Shindo, one of the city’s main commercial streets, there are several such restaurants. One notable option is " Kobe Steak Sai-Dining," tucked away in a side alley. It offers a variety of Kobe beef teppanyaki sets at different price points, ensuring something for every budget. The staff and chefs speak basic English, making ordering easy. For those wanting to try authentic Kobe beef, this restaurant offers a reasonable balance between price and quality.

Kobe beef "Chateaubriand" is the best part of beef tenderloin. " Kobe Steak Sai-Dining" Teppanyaki Kobe Beef.

Kobe Steak Sai-Dining

Address: Cosmo Building B1, 3-1-9 Shimoyamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0011

Phone: +81-78-331-5638

Opening Hours:

Lunch 11:30am-3pm (Last entry 2pm)

Dinner 5pm–11pm (Last entry 9pm)

Access: 6-minute walk from Sannomiya Station on the JR Kobe Line or 4-minute walk from Motomachi Station on other JR lines

Website: https://www.saidining.com/english.html