City in Hyogo, Japan
Kobe for solo travelers
Is Kobe good for solo travel?
A relaxed harbor city between sea and mountains with Kobe beef, sake, hot springs and quick trains to Osaka and Kyoto. Pleasant for longer stays; the nightlife scene is smaller than Osaka's.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very safe for solo women. Rare groping on packed rush-hour trains; women-only cars are available. |
How to meet people in Kobe
Hostels and guesthouses, English-language events at bars in Sannomiya, running groups on the Meriken Park waterfront, and the large international community around the universities.
Good things to do alone
- Soak at Arima Onsen, 30 minutes by bus
- Take the Kobe Rope Way and herb garden at dusk
- Walk Kitano's old foreign houses in the morning
- Try sake tasting in Nada district
- Eat Kobe beef at lunch for a lower price
Where to stay in Kobe
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sannomiya–Motomachi | Center: transit, shops, restaurants, Chinatown and nightlife |
| Kitano–Shin-Kobe | Hillside, Shinkansen station, quieter and good for short stays |
| Motomachi–Harborland | Waterfront, malls and night views, easy walks |
| Rokko–Mikage area | Residential, university area, cheaper rent, calm |
Solo travel across Japan
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 5/5 | Limited |
| Kyoto | 5/5 | Limited |
| Osaka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Fukuoka | 5/5 | Limited |
| Hiroshima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nara | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sapporo | 4/5 | Limited |
| Okinawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Niseko | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Yokohama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kanazawa | 4/5 | Limited |
| Takayama | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Nagoya | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kamakura | 4/5 | Limited |
| Kobe | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakuba | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ishigaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Nagasaki | 4/5 | Limited |
| Miyakojima | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakodate | 4/5 | Limited |
| Otaru | 4/5 | Limited |
| Beppu | 4/5 | Limited |
| Matsumoto | 4/5 | Limited |
| Koyasan | 4/5 | Limited |
| Sendai | 4/5 | Limited |
| Hakone | 3/5 | Limited |
| Kawaguchiko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Nikko | 3/5 | Limited |
| Shirakawa-go | 3/5 | Limited |
| Furano | 3/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Kobe good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). A relaxed harbor city between sea and mountains with Kobe beef, sake, hot springs and quick trains to Osaka and Kyoto.
How do you meet people in Kobe?
Hostels and guesthouses, English-language events at bars in Sannomiya, running groups on the Meriken Park waterfront, and the large international community around the universities. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Kobe?
Limited.
Is Kobe safe for solo female travelers?
Very safe for solo women. Rare groping on packed rush-hour trains; women-only cars are available.
More about Kobe
Going to Kobe solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kobe meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.