Kobe Sannomiya Railway Festival 2026

6 Best Glamping & Villas on Awaji Island, 1 Hour from Kobe [2026]

Just one hour from Kobe across the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Awaji Island is home to a growing number of private glamping resorts and villas. We compare 6 top properties for 2026 — from hilltop bridge views to pet-friendly all-inclusive stays, exclusive one-group villas, and a new wellness retreat designed by Pritzker laureate Shigeru Ban.

5 Unique Arima Onsen Experiences You May Have Seen on NHK [2026]

A guide to Arima Onsen's most distinctive spots: a rooftop hot spring pool you can enter in a swimsuit, a bird's-nest open-air bath, a room with a slide, a geisha experience, and a dog-friendly inn — just 30 minutes from Kobe by train.

UCC Coffee Museum Reopens After Six Years: Hands-On Experiences and New Exhibits from July 1

Japan's only dedicated coffee museum returns to Kobe's Port Island on July 1, 2026 after a six-year closure. New interactive exhibits plus four paid experience courses including roasting, blending, and 3D latte art. Admission: ¥880 adults, ¥440 children. Fully reservation-based; Aug/Sep bookings open July 1 at noon. Museum shop: no reservation needed. Entirely indoors.

Hydrangeas in Bloom at Kakogawa's Enshoji Temple | ~90 Varieties, Peak Through Around July 5

At Enshoji Temple in Shikata-cho, Kakogawa, more than 350 hydrangea plants of around 90 varieties are in bloom. The city says the peak lasts through around July 5, the staggered bloom relay through early July, and the overall season through mid-July. A rain-friendly flower temple, home to rare varieties like Hakujuko, which shifts from white to red.

Halal-Friendly Japanese Restaurant 'Honolu Premier Kobe' Opens in Sannomiya on May 26

Honolu Premier Kobe, a halal-friendly Japanese restaurant, opened in Kobe’s Sannomiya area on May 26, 2026. The restaurant offers authentic Japanese cuisine including rich chicken paitan ramen, premium wagyu dishes, vegan options, and more — all prepared to halal standards.