Private Tour
Private Shore Excursion Kobe Port - Best of Kobe with a local
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
A private tour - to maintain the unique energy of your group.
Have any special interests or requests?
We can add it into your Kobe experience...just let us know.
A Great Mix of the Old & New of Kobe City... oh yeah!
You will have a Native English Speaking local guide.
Spend time enjoying the city, (and not spending time getting lost in train stations or lost in translation)....another Oh yeah!
Once you have booked your experience, we will be in touch with you within 48-hours to plan your personalized experience, and finalize our meeting point.
For tours less than 48-hours, we will contact you sooner.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
4 or 7 hours with a Local Host
Native English Speaking host
Walking experience (train or taxi available at additional cost)
100% Private and Personalized Experience
Food and drinks
Entry fees if applicable - (including for guide) Sōrakuen ¥300pp Ropeway ¥1800pp
Transportation costs within city (including for guide)
Gratuities (optional)
What To Expect
Minatogawa Shrine
One of the two most popular shrines in Kobe City. It is a shrine, and for this one, it is more muted... without the famous orange/red every where. Very popular for many different important celebrations for locals.
Meriken Park
We will be passing through Harbor land and Meriken Park. This is a beautiful port area for both locals and travelers alike. In Meriken there are many eateries and shops to browse.
Options
7-hours
Duration: 8 hours
Pickup included
4-hours
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included
Reviews
19 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Terrific Tour With A Local
Kim G,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our day with Michelle was fabulous. She went out of her way to show us what real life is like in Kobe. She answered all of our questions openly and honestly and we had many laughs along the way. She took us to a fantastic restaurant to try Kobe beef, we shopped for vintage candy and even in a second hand store. Her photos were great too! Everything she showed us was thoughtful and the day flew by. Her perspectives from both east and western living were very insightful and we felt like we had made a new friend by the end of the day. Highly recommend Michelle for your time in Kobe.
The tour was fun and...
luke s,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was fun and communication was perfect, easy and clear. Would recommend this tour especially finishing it off with an amazing Kobe steak which was recommended by Michelle. Top marks . Thanks
Excellent guide
Diana U,
Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour, the guide was very friendly, the restaurant Kobe recommended us was delicious. It rained all day but we managed to do the whole itinerary and had a great time.
Michelle Kiyoko excellent guide in Kobe
essen16,
Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michelle Kiyoko is a very good friendly guide. She's given a lot of information about Kobe. We are very satisfied to have her as a guide in Kobe. I can highly recommend her to take Michelle as a guide.
Wonderful and unique tour
Carolroad,
Apr 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolutely wonderful tour with Michelle. She is from Kobe but spent many years in the US. She showed us a couple of shrines, which were beautiful but explaining her inside knowledge of the everyday life of the cities residents was something that really fascinated us. She explained different shops, hotel, the inside daily activity of neighborhoods etc. that you never get on a regular tour. Because this wasn't just seeing tourist attractions, this was one of our favorite tours ever... and we do a lot of traveling.
A great guide and tour
Carol R,
Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We really liked this tour because the guide was born and raised in Kobe but lived in the US for many years so she was able to explain parts of her city that would be new to us. She showed us a couple of wonderful shrines, a neighborhood and how people lived their daily lives, local shops, malls, waterfront, etc.. She was very accommodating to our needs and wishes. It was a great day.
Fun and Friendly Local Guide
Hansel Y,
Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Michelle's tour around her town was a lot of fun. The tour is really custom to what you want to see. We learned a lot about Japanese history, things we didn't learn from other guides in Japan. We got to see the sights, see great views, eat Kobe beef, drink Kobe sake and stroll around local neighborhoods. My wife enjoyed shopping with her and learning about local stores/souvenirs and buying some Japanese candies. She's also a great photographer, we got some great photos together. A very personalized tour, it felt like strolling around a town visiting an old friend. I would definitely recommend her tour.
Amazing experience in Kobe with Michelle as our guide
Rosita L,
Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are a private party of 6 seniors (3 couples) Our tour guide Michelle met us at the port exit, and took us on a train ride to the mountain. Michelle listened to our needs (mint too excessive walking), and adjust our itinerary accordingly. She is an excellent tour guide, explaining to us along the way about Japanese culture etc, and took us to a vintage ride that is unforgettable. The view from the mountain overlooking Kobe and with the Sakura background is just breathtaking!! Thank you so much Michelle !! You are definitely a 5 stars tour guide 🙌
Great walking tour with a knowledgeable guide who gave us an excellent overview of life and culture in Kobe
wileblancjr,
Mar 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michelle was a terrific guide. She fashioned an interesting itinerary of venues that we were thoroughly delighted with and made our visit to Kobe memorable. Michelle met us at the Kobe Port Terminal and guided us through the public transportation network to a subway station near the Minatogawa Jinja a beautiful Shinto shrine where we learned a little about this indigenous Japanese culture. From there we walked to Harbor Land passing through malls and shopping areas. Took photos at the popular “BE KOBE” signage in Meriken Park and marveled at the stones etched in Kanji with the names of notable American actors. Michelle led us through local neighborhoods, passing Sōrakuen Garden, the former residence of the Mayor of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture government offices and the public library. We visited many residential side-streets where we saw how neighborhoods were organized and people went about their daily lives. Michelle led us through entertainment areas, Chinatown, shopping areas from luxury to inexpensive, and made a recommendations for a Kobe beef lunch we thoroughly enjoyed. Michelle was a superb guide. Personable, energetic, knowledgeable, and flexible in altering the itinerary. We had a wonderful day and learned much about life in Kobe. I highly recommend Michelle as a guide.
Kobe city is tradition and international at the same time.
OnAirTwiceOver,
Feb 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kobe is such a lovely city. Many different atmospheres in one smaller city. We tried the famous Kobe Beef, and popular Kobe sake. The tour was less about temples and shrines, and more the life of a typical Japanese local, and what separates Kobe from other popular cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo.
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