When we were planning our trip to Japan, and checking out things to do in Kobe, we focused on a shopping trip to the Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet Store. My friend wanted to check out a specific item in one of the luxury stores. While in this beautiful city, we made the most of our day trip by trying out the Kobe Beef.
Kobe is considered one of the most attractive cities. It has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century alongside the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Niigata.
Osaka to Kobe
It is a 40-minute drive from our hotel in Osaka to Kobe. My friend managed to book us a bus that took us from designated bus stop (in Osaka) to Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet Store. I used the time to catch up on my sleep. 😂
Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet Store
We arrived early and went straight to the target. We allotted only 2 hours to shop so we could explore other parts of Kobe. As expected, we spent almost 4 hours (and the time was still not enough to check all the 210 stores).
💸 Travel Tip: bring your passport so you can pay for your purchases tax-free.
I wasn’t really planning to buy anything, but I ended up with 2 purchases and 1 gift for my sister.
💸 Travel Tip: when paying using a credit card, choose the Foreign currency. Upon comparing my charges, I got a better exchange rate when I paid with Foreign currency (vs local currency).
While my friends were shopping at Adidas, I used the time to shoot content.
Check what’s in my bag. I used my fave bag from Charles & Keith. 💗
Ikuta Shrine
We visited Ikuta Shrine which we referred to as the Love Shrine. It is considered one of the oldest shrines in Japan. I find the location charming as it is in one of the side streets of a busy center that is Ikuta.
Inside the shrine, you can buy different charms – for health, relationship, career, money, etc. You can ask the gods to grant your wish by performing a prayer ritual.
Isuzu Bakery
We stopped by at Isuzu Bakery while waiting for Kobe Beef Restaurants to open. I always love Japanese pastries and am happy to chance upon the Isuzu Bakery which has been around for 70 years.
Doing a little research now, it appears that Isuzu Bakery is one of the popular bakery and a must-visit when in Kobe. I had Japanese Curry Bread and Chocolate Bread.
Blue Bottle Coffee
I am always down for a good coffee. After making a reservation at the Mouriya Kobe Beef, we sprinted to Blue Bottle Coffee.
Blue Bottle Coffee is popular for its freshest coffee. We tried the New Orleans Iced Coffee which is perfectly sweet, milky coffee. I am more of an Iced Americano girl, but I enjoyed this special latte.
Mouriya Kobe Beef
We arrived just in time for our 6:30 PM Dinner Reservation at the Mouriya Kobe Beef. Per Tripadvisor, it is the number 1 steakhouse to get Kobe Beef. A casual restaurant where you can enjoy time alone, or intimate face-to-face meeting/gathering with family and friends.
Kobe Beef is the most expensive beef and comes from Tajima-gyu cattle. The animal must be born and raised exclusively in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan – I am guessing, in a stress-free environment. They are only fed grains and grasses from that prefecture.
I ordered Medium-Well which is just perfect for the meat. It is tender and rich. I didn’t need a knife to slice it – that kind of right texture and tenderness that you can only achieve when you use a Pressure Cooker. It is perfect as is, but goes well with the sauces that came with the meal.
It was a short yet (literally) fulfilling trip to Kobe, Japan.
To be continued…
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