This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 10:30 Meet at JR Sannomiya Station
- 11:10 Foreign residences (Ijinkan)
- 12:30 Herb Garden
- 13:30 Hanshin Sannomiya Station
- 13:50 Hakutsuru Sake Brewery
- 14:30 Disperse at Uozaki Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Foreign residences (Ijinkan) at 11:10, Herb Garden at 12:30, Hanshin Sannomiya Station at 13:30, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery at 13:50 and Disperse at Uozaki Station at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Subway Sannomiya Station Front／Shinki Bus to Kitano Ijinkan／Shinki Bus by bus (300JPY); Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden・Ropeway／Shinki Bus to Subway Sannomiya Station Front／Shinki Bus by bus (300JPY); Kobe Sannomiya (Hanshin) to Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture・Hanshin Line) by train (200JPY); Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture・Hanshin Line) to Uozaki by train (160JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 960JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kobe Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The tour started at 10:30 because the guests arrived about 30 minutes late. The guests were visitors from North America. At the Ijinkan foreign residences, we entered the Weathercock House and the Moegi House, and the guests looked at each room with great interest. Since the weather was absolutely wonderful, we walked slowly along the Kitano Promenade to the Nunobiki Ropeway. It was crowded and the wait was long, but the guests thoroughly enjoyed the views from the summit and from the Glass House and its veranda. We had planned to have lunch in Sannomiya, but since the guests had a full schedule after the tour, we canceled that and went to the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery instead. Looking at the displays in the museum with great interest, they said the exhibits made the sake-brewing process very easy to understand. After tasting and purchasing the sake they liked, I saw them off at Uozaki Station, where they transferred, and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Kobe Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Subway Sannomiya Station Front／Shinki Bus～Kitano Ijinkan／Shinki Bus | 300JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden・Ropeway／Shinki Bus～Subway Sannomiya Station Front／Shinki Bus | 300JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Kobe Sannomiya (Hanshin)～Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture・Hanshin Line) | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Sumiyoshi (Hyogo Prefecture・Hanshin Line)～Uozaki | 160JPY |
| Total | 960JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Foreign residences (Ijinkan), Herb Garden, Hanshin Sannomiya Station, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery and Disperse at Uozaki Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 960JPY per person across 4 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Nao is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Hyogo itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello ! I’m Nao, guiding in Kansai, West Japan. I was born and raised in Himeji, near Himeji castle. I love music, and of course taking a trip. I stayed in the US for three years, and took a trip to Hawaii, Canada and Indonesia. Those experiences are good sweet memories for me. Visiting places you don’t know much & touching new culture are exciting and refreshing.
Wear Kimono in Kyoto, eat Takoyaki in Oosaka, feed cute deer in Nara, meet SAMURAI(fake one though, I’m aftaid there’s no real SAMURAI in Japan now) and eat Kobe beef and drink Sake in Kobe.
Let’ s make good memories together in Japan. I’m looking forward to seeing you. Nao
Apr 12, 2026
Ralf V
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit mit Naoka.
Alles mit Bus und…
Apr 12, 2026
Ralf V
Tripadvisor review: Kobe 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit mit Naoka.
Alles mit Bus und Bahn. Tolle Erfahrung. Wichtige Sehenswurdigkeiten haben wir in 4
Stunden entspannt erlebt. Gerne wiede
ナオカと一緒に素晴らしい時間を過ごしました。
すべてバスと電車で移動しました。素晴らしい体験でした。主要な観光名所を4時間でゆったりと楽しむことができました。またぜひ参加したいです。
Apr 2, 2026
Sushil_R
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour the Himeji Castle with Nao San. You will enjoy more.
I…
Apr 2, 2026
Sushil_R
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Tour the Himeji Castle with Nao San. You will enjoy more.
I recommend travelers to take this tour even though the Himeji Castle is a bit of a disappointment since it is a fort or fortress, not really a castle. Regardless, it is worth visiting to understand how the rulers in that era protected themselves from wars and aggressions. What made the tour really valuable was our guide, Nao san. From the day we booked the tour, Nao San was engaged with us asking us our preferences, providing suggestions, and doing whatever she could to make the tour worthwhile. If you are planning to take this tour, I strongly recommend you ask for Nao San to be your guide and you will not be disappointed.
Apr 15, 2025
O
oOoKiyaoOo
Wonderful Family Experience
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had Nao for a guide and…
Apr 15, 2025
O
oOoKiyaoOo
Wonderful Family Experience
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had Nao for a guide and we couldn’t recommend her enough.
Communication and organising our plans were easily managed, and our guide was there waiting at the gates as soon as our train arrived.
Nao was thoughtful, and even brought some origami mementos for our children.
Despite the rainy weather and a few hiccups along the way we had a wonderful day out.
Nov 21, 2024
boyd_s
A great tour!
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The special knowledge shared by our tour guide Noe…
Nov 21, 2024
boyd_s
A great tour!
Viator review: Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The special knowledge shared by our tour guide Noe made the tour extra special. She took
us thru the castle and showed us several spots in the city with spectacular views of Himeji
Castle. Thank you Noe!