Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [311]
Crowne Plaza Hotel Kōbe (291-1121; fax 291-1151; www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/osakb; s/d/tw from ¥15,015/27,720/27,720;;Seishin-Yamate subway line or JR Sanyō shinkansen to Shin-Kōbe) You’ll feel on top of the world as you survey the bright lights of Kōbe from this perch atop the city. Conveniently located near JR Shin-Kōbe Station, this first-class hotel offers clean and fairly spacious rooms and has an English-speaking staff. Downstairs in the Avenue shopping centre, you’ll find several good restaurants to choose from. LAN cable internet in rooms.
Hotel Ōkura Kōbe (333-0111; fax 333-6673; www.okura.com/hotels/kobe/index.html; s/d/tw from ¥18,480/22,050/28,875; ; JR Kōbe line to Motomachi) The Ōkura is the most comfortable and polished hotel in the city, and the harbourside location can’t be beat. The rooms are clean, spacious and well maintained. Avoid the lower-floor rooms on the north side as these offer only highway views. There are several good on-site restaurants here, and LAN cable internet.
Kōbe Kitano Hotel (271-3711; fax 271-3700; www.kobe-kitanohotel.co.jp/en/index.html; 3-3-20 Yamamoto-dōri, Chūō-ku; d/tw from ¥30,030/32,340; ; JR Kōbe line to Sannnomiya or Motomachi) This British-themed hotel is popular with Japanese ladies, who like the European feeling of the Kitano area, with its pleasant strolling and abundant cafes. This place does a brisk business in hosting weddings, but it’s also a nice place to stay. There is LAN cable internet in rooms.
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EATING
Japanese
Kintoki (331-1037; 1-7-2 Motomachi-dōri, Chūō-ku; meals from ¥500; 10.30am-9pm, to 8pm Sat, closed holidays; JR Kōbe line to Motomachi) This is a good place to go for a taste of what Japan was like before it got rich. It’s an atmospheric old shokudō that serves the cheapest food in the city. You can order standard noodle and rice dishes from the menu (plain soba or udon noodles are ¥250 and a small rice is ¥160) or choose from a variety of dishes laid out on the counter. Look for the blue-and-white awning about 20m north of the shopping street arcade.
Mikami (242-5200; 2-5-9 Kanō-chō, Chūō-ku; meals from ¥500; 11am-3pm & 5-10pm, closed Wed; JR Kōbe line or Hankyū Kōbe line to Sannomiya) This is a friendly spot for good-value lunch and dinner sets of standard Japanese fare. Noodle dishes are available from ¥500 and teishoku from ¥1000. Look for the large doghouse outside and a small English sign. English menu.
Ganko Sushi (331-6868; 2-5-1 Kitanagasa-dōri, Chūō-ku; lunch from ¥700, dinner from around ¥2000; 11.30am-11pm; JR Kōbe line or Hanshin Main line to Motomachi) For good sushi and just about any other Japanese dish you crave, this casual, easy-to-enter restaurant near Motomachi Station is a good call. We particularly recommend ordering sushi à la carte here. There’s an English menu and the staff is used to foreigners. There is a small sign that says ‘Japanese food restaurant’. Last orders 10.30pm.
Tanoshiya (242-1132; 1F Matsuda Bldg, 3-14-8 Kanō-chō, Chūō-ku; lunch/dinner from ¥1050/4000; 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-midnight, closed Mon; JR Kōbe line or Hankyū Kōbe line to Sannomiya) This casual spot serves creative and fun food that might be termed ‘nouvelle Japonaise’. This might include seared sashimi, skewers of chicken and assorted nibbles on the side. There’s a small English sign. English menu.
Mon (331-0372; 2-12-2 Ikatsuji, Chūō-ku; meals from ¥1100; 11am-9pm, closed 3rd Mon of month; JR Kōbe line or Hankyū Kōbe line to Sannomiya) This Kōbe institution serves a peculiar Japanese speciality known as yōshoku: Japanese versions of Western food like steaks and pork cutlets. If you’re in the mood for something heavier than noodles and rice, this might satisfy. The sign out front has a hilarious