Exploring Kobe, Japan I 2025 I 4K I Part 2

The Kitano Ijinkan-Gai is a historic and charming district, famous for its beautifully preserved Western-style houses. The name literally means "Foreigner's House Street," and the area is a testament to it’s history as a major international port.

The Starbucks Coffee - Kobe Kitano Ijinkan is one of the chain's most unique and beloved locations, as it is housed in a beautifully preserved, historical Western-style building known as the Kitano Monogatari-kan. This architectural distinction is what makes it a must-visit spot in Kobe's charming Kitano Ijinkan district, which is famous for its collection of foreign merchants' houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Ikuta Shrine, located in the bustling Sannomiya district, is one of the city's most significant and oldest Shinto shrines. Its history is deeply intertwined with the very name and identity of the city. The shrine is said to have been founded in the year 201 by Empress Jingū, making it over 1,800 years old and one of the oldest in all of Japan.

Sorakuen Garden is a beautiful and historic traditional Japanese garden. Despite its central location, it offers a peaceful and serene escape from the urban environment. It was originally built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the private residence and garden of Kodera Kenkichi, a prominent figure and former mayor of the city. It was opened to the public in 1941.

Kobe Chinatown, known as Nankin-machi, is a vibrant and popular tourist destination in the Motomachi district. It is one of the three designated Chinatowns in Japan, along with those in Yokohama and Nagasaki. It's origins trace back to 1868 when the port of Kobe was opened to foreign trade. Chinese immigrants, primarily from Guangdong and Fujian provinces, settled in the western part of the city's foreign district, and the area quickly became a hub for the Chinese community.

The Motomachi Shopping Street is one of the most famous and historic shopping arcades Located in the Motomachi district, it's a bustling and popular destination that offers a different atmosphere from the more modern shopping areas.