Events
Winter Nights Turn into Pirate Adventures “Pirates’ Harbor Festival” at Kobe Suma Sea World
English
Art & Culture Ryohei Koiso’s Lost Masterpiece Returns to Kobe After 90 Years
Ryohei Koiso’s legendary painting The Girl with Traditional Hairstyle returns to Kobe after 90 years. See this rare masterpiece and its companion work The Dancer at the Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art.
Events Akina Nakamori Reborn in a Full-Dome Experience in Kobe
Experience Japanese pop icon Akina Nakamori in a full-dome planetarium show. Watch her legendary NHK performances and hit songs in a 360° immersive concert in Kobe, Japan.
Leisure & Experience Maiko Marine Promenade: Walk 47 Meters Above the Sea Beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Experience thrilling views at Maiko Marine Promenade in Kobe. Walk on a glass floor 47 meters above the sea beneath the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and enjoy stunning panoramic scenery.
Local & Culture Year of the Horse 2026: Where to Find the Horse Zodiac Statue in Kobe’s Nankinmachi
Looking for a zodiac photo spot in Kobe? Here’s where to find the Horse (Uma) zodiac statue in Nankinmachi Square—perfect for New Year photos and holiday walks.
Art & Culture Champagne-Gold Lights Illuminate Kobe’s Waterfront NEW SEAPORT Night Light 2025–2026
Experience Kobe’s waterfront in winter with NEW SEAPORT Night Light 2025–2026. Enjoy champagne-gold illuminations, an 8-meter Christmas tree, Kobe Luminarie artworks, and festive lights at the TOTTEI area. Free admission.
Events A Climbable Illumination Experience TOTTEI Launches Its First-Ever Christmas Market
TOTTEI Kobe hosts its first-ever Christmas Market in winter 2025, featuring climbable illuminations, live music, festive food, and a waterfront holiday atmosphere. Free admission.
Chinese Taste Authentic Rice Vermicelli! Three Signature Dishes to Try at the Newly Renovated Kenmin Dining in Kobe
Discover the flavors of Kenmin Dining, the direct-operated restaurant of Kenmin Foods, newly renovated in December 2025. Explore three must-try rice vermicelli dishes—stir-fried, white broth, and spicy soup—and enjoy authentic gluten-free rice noodle cuisine in Kobe.
Art & Culture Celebrating One Million Visitors! Kobe Port Tower Heats Up With a Special BLACKPINK Collaboration
Kobe Port Tower celebrates one million visitors since its renewal and launches a special collaboration with BLACKPINK, featuring rooftop visuals, exhibits, exclusive merchandise, and café items. Event runs Dec 1, 2025–Jan 18, 2026.
Access & Transport Autonomous Driving to Begin in Nada Gogo: Kobe City and Nissan Launch New Mobility Project
Kobe City and Nissan have begun autonomous driving trials in the historic Nada Gogo sake district, using the Nissan LEAF. Aiming for commercial operation by 2030, the project enhances mobility for residents and tourists.
Historical & Cultural heritage Unveiling the 2026 “Horse (Uma)” Grand Ema at Ikuta Shrine — Perfect for New Year’s Greetings and “Happy New Year” Messages
Ikuta Shrine in central Kobe has unveiled its 2026 “Horse” zodiac ema—a large, beautifully painted wooden plaque displayed through January. A popular photo spot for New Year greetings, visitors can enjoy the shrine’s serene atmosphere just steps from bustling Sannomiya.