30 mins by train from Takarazuka Sta.! 3 recommended photo spots telling Kobe’s history in Sannomiya and Motomachi area

“Sannomiya and Motomachi area” spreads out around Kobe Sannomiya Station where it takes 30 minutes from Hankyu Takarazuka Station by the Hanshin line. There are many popular sightseeing spots presentative of Kobe city, such as a center of the Chinese community in the Kansai Region ‘Nankinmachi’ and Kobe’s largest shopping district ‘Sannomiya Center Gai Shopping Street.’ Moreover, this area is located just outside ‘Bay area’, so you can easily visit ‘Kobe Port Tower,’ ‘Kobe Harborland’ where large shopping complexes gather and something like that from Sannomiya and Motomachi area.

This time, we’re going to introduce 3 recommended photo spots from among ones in or around Sannomiya and Motomachi area.

The place with spiritual energy “Ikuta Shrine” that is the origin of Kobe’s name

“Ikuta Shrine (生田神社)” where the bright vermillion Torii gates and two-storied Romon gate stand out. Lovingly nicknamed ‘Ikutasan,’ this shrine has a history of about 1,800 years and famous for appearing in ‘Nihonshoki’ (Chronicles of Japan) and ‘The Pillow Book’ (枕草子) of Sei Shonagon. There are 15 shrines enshrining 19 gods in the precinct and lots of photo spots such as the gorgeous and luxurious main hall, ‘Inari Shrine’ where Torii gates are lined up to form a red tunnel and ‘Ikuta no Mori (Ikuta’s forest)’ which was the battlefield of the Genpei War. It’s also one of the best charms that visitors can feel a solemn atmosphere in spite of the fact it’s close to downtown. In addition, the Imperial Court dispatched Kanbe (神戸, households serving a shrine) to Ikuta Shrine in 806, and they came to be called ‘Konbe.’ For this reason, it’s said that this shrine is the origin of Kobe’s name.

Opening Hours	8:00AM – 5:00PM
Address	1-2-1 Shimoamate-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 10-minute walk from Kobe-Sannomiya Station
URL	https://plus.feel-kobe.jp/en/facilities/detail/?code=0000000035

“Kobe Kitano Ijinkan Gai” making you feel as if you’re in the world of old Western films

Kobe Port was opened in 1868 after Hakodate, Nagasaki and Yokohama by the conclusion of Treaty of Amity and Commerce Between the United States and the Empire of Japan. Therefore, many foreigners came to the areas surrounding this port and some areas were designated as their settlements. In Kitano-cho area, approximately 200 classical Western-style houses were built one after another between the Meiji period and the Taisho one. Now, some of them are still preserved, so this area is called “Kitano Ijinkan Gai (北野異人館街).” Walking along the path with a retro atmosphere, you can find the exotic scenery and various unique buildings that retains the atmosphere of those years: nationally designated important cultural properties such as the brick-made ‘Weathercock House’ and ‘Moegi House’ whose pastel green outer walls catch your eyes, ‘Uroko House’ which looks like being covered with fish scales, and more.

Opening Hours	Please check the official website because opening hours and closed days are different depending on each facility.
Address	Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 15-minute walk from Kobe-Sannomiya Station
URL	https://www.kobeijinkan.com/en/

“Meriken Park” easing your mind with a stunning view created by Kobe’s landmarks and Kobe port

“Meriken Park” is a vast park along Kobe port. It seems that this park was named ‘Meriken’ (Japanese people pronounced America as Meriken during the Meiji period) because there was the United States Embassy near here. Strolling around this park, you can come across interesting sculptures such as a giant carp-shaped ‘Fish Dance’ and ‘Bell of Hortensia’ with a colorful mosaic pattern. Above all, ‘BE KOBE’ monument is the best popular photo spot. It’s also the message telling “Kobe’s allure is its people” that was born 20 years after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Besides, the area surrounding this park has ‘Kobe Port Tower,’ ‘Kobe Maritime Museum’ whose feature is a white large roof using the sails of a ship sailing over the ocean and waves as a motif. When it gets dark, these buildings are illuminated and a superb view unique to Kobe is laid out before your eyes.

Opening Hours	24 hours
Address	2 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
Access	A 15-minute walk from Motomachi Station which is one station away from Kobe-Sannomiya Station on the Hanshin Main line
URL	https://plus.feel-kobe.jp/en/facilities/detail/?code=0000000144