Kobe Food Tour: 10 Tastings with Kobe Beef & Chinatown

Eat your way through Kobe's hidden neighborhoods without deciding what to order

A 3-hour food tour of Kobe led by a local student guide, moving between Higashiyama Market and Chinatown to taste 10+ curated dishes including Kobe beef, mochi, taiyaki, gyoza and tempura, plus drinks at an izakaya. All food and drinks are included. The guide speaks English and can drop you at the train station after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Culinary tour of Kobe's markets and Chinatown

• Explore nostalgic Kobe’s Kitchen market
• Try local snacks and drinks at Izakaya
• Taste Ichigo-daifuku, Taiyaki, Gyoza, Tempura
• Take train and walk to Chinatown
• Enjoy authentic Kobe beef skewer

The experience

Higashiyama Market is where locals eat, not tourists. Your guide takes you into the stalls and small shops where the real Kobe flavors live (strawberry mochi, red bean taiyaki, gyoza, tempura), and you taste without having to choose or handle cash. The market is the first stop, and the guide explains what you're eating and why it matters to the city as you move between vendors.

After about 10 minutes on the train and a 15-minute walk, you reach Chinatown and the centerpiece: an authentic Kobe beef skewer at a shop the guide knows. Then you step into a locals-only izakaya for drinks and dishes like roasted pork and eggs or whale liver: the kind of place most visitors never find. The whole route is designed around what's in season and what's available that day, so the exact stops shift, but the 10+ tastings and the Kobe beef stay.

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours and ends at the train station if you need to be dropped off. Bring an appetite. Everything else is covered.

What’s included

• 10+ curated tastings at local eateries including Higashiyama Market stalls and Chinatown shops.
• authentic Kobe beef skewer.
• drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at a traditional izakaya.
• detailed explanations of the neighborhoods and food as you move between stops.
• train fare between the market and Chinatown.
• drop-off at the train station after the tour if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and Sunday5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 13:00

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (7 to 12 years): free · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 700

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Link Roots

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a student guide to navigate you through Kobe's markets and Chinatown with 10+ tastings included and payment handled upfront, rather than choosing restaurants yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (7 to 12 years): free. Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I taste on the Kobe food tour?

You taste 10+ dishes across the two neighborhoods: strawberry mochi and red bean taiyaki at Higashiyama Market, gyoza and tempura at local stalls, an authentic Kobe beef skewer in Chinatown, and roasted pork, eggs or whale liver at the izakaya. Drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) are included at the pub.

How long does the tour take and what's the walking involved?

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours total. You'll walk through Higashiyama Market, take a 10-minute train ride to Chinatown, then walk for about 15 minutes through the neighborhood to reach the restaurants and izakaya.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair or have mobility concerns?

Yes. All areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible as well. Strollers and prams are fine for infants and small children, and service animals are welcome.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and leads the tour in English throughout both neighborhoods.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

The tour cannot accommodate gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian diets, since the 10+ tastings are pre-selected and include Kobe beef and other animal products. Any additional foods or drinks beyond the designated tastings are not included.