2019 Summer Trip to Asia
July 17, 2019 -- Osaka and Kobe, Japan, RCCL Voyager of the Seas (5:00AM ~ 8:00PM July)
Please click here for video of our day in Kobe.
(Just got home from a month-long trip of the back-to-back cruises in western Mediterranean and across the transatlantic. The problem with not taking notes of our Asian trip is haunting me. I will try to recall as much information as possible to complete this report and hopefully not losing any important details while doing this. Please bear with me!)
Our ship moved from Osaka pier to Kobe in the early hour of 5:00AM Wednesday morning and we arrived Kobe port, a short distance away, promptly at 9:00. Kobe Terminal is actually quite near the city center and there was a complimentary shuttle that takes passengers into town. Our plan was to purchase the one-day pass for the city loop bus which would serve as our mode of transportation for the day.
A huge and modern cruise terminal in Kobe.
The Portliner line actually have a station at the terminal but we did not even have to use that.
The complimentary shuttle dropped us off near Chinatown (Nankin-machi) right near the City Loop Bus stop #4 which was quite convenient. We purchased the one-day pass from the conductor/guide on the bus. It was not crowded at that time because we were early. Maps are available on the bus if needed.
One of the City Loop Bus stop. This one could very well be stop #17 at Kobe Port Tower.
We had enough time before our lunch reservation at 11:30 so we leisurely rode the bus one loop around before getting off at stop #7 Sannomiya Station North and walked to Kobe Plaisir.
Happened to pass by one of the famous Kobe beef restaurants...
...but our destination is here--Kobe Plaisir.
My first choice was another restaurant but they were closed on Wednesdays. Other members of our family came to this restaurant and highly recommending it so we took the last two spots available for that day. It is an experience that I looked forward to before this trip.
Once the restaurant opened, we were lead to our places around the teppan table.
We were the first ones there. We had pre-ordered our lunch of Kobe beef sirloin (8250Y) online but we decided to change one order to include the foie gras with the Kobe beef sirloin (10450Y). They had no problem making the adjustment right there.
Amouse Bouches and vinegar drink
steamed egg
foie gras ready for the grill
Chef preparing our meal
foie gras on the teppan
Excellently done! Next time we would both order the beef with foie gras.
Fresh salad
Our Kobe sirloin
Perfect! Just wish that there were more beef. Practically 'melt-in-your-mouth' good!
The chef used the fat pieces to cook the fried rice.
Delicious!
Cup of miso soup
After our delicious meal, we were taken to another room for dessert. A nice way to end this amazing experience.
With tea or coffee
Not cheap, but when you are in Kobe it is worth it to have a real Kobe beef experience.
Now we are happy!
We found the Ikuta Shrine right near the restaurant. This is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
Tori gates
There is a memorial of famous chefs on the ground of the shrine.
Then we walked through the Kitano neighborhood to the Herb Garden and Ropeway Bottom Station. It was not an easy walk with mostly uphill streets but it was quite pleasant. I wonder why I did not have any pictures of that walk?
I believe with the Loop Bus tickets we were able to have 20% off the Ropeway/Herb Garden entrance fee. Great view of the city as the ropeway climb up higher and higher.
Passing by a waterfall. Not a good picture here though.
Reaching the top garden.
Symphony Garden with an Italian Restaurant, gift shop, and snack bar.
View of the harbor down below.
Forest Hall
"Find the fragrance you like."
Quite interesting!
Then we followed the path and walking through the many gardens down to the middle station.
This is the family herbal garden.
Four-season garden
Small shady area to sit and rest our feet.
Continued our walk down the Hill of Wind. Our ship can be seen between the buildings.
Got to try the lavender ice cream.
From the middle station we caught the ropeway back down. For those who prefer, they can walk all the way down following the path.
A better photo of the Nunobiki Falls.
After the Herb Garden, we caught the City Loop Bus again at stop #11 near the exit of the ropeway station and back to Nankinmachi.
Choanmon Gate in Chinatown (Nankinmachi) across from the Loop Bus stop #4.
Many vendors along the streets of Chinatown.
Nankinmachi Square
Seianmon Gate at the back end of Nankinmachi before we turned around.
One last glimpse of Chinatown before we took the shuttle back to port.
Dinner menu
Minestrone
Antipasti
Arancini
Garlic Tiger Shrimp
Filet of Salmon
Whatever you ordered, there is always a scoop of rice on the plate.
Sugar-free Strawberries Romanoff
After-dinner walk around the ship.
We were docked right next to the Kobe Great Bridge.
Good-bye Kobe!
Leaving port
Until we meet again!
"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands." --Psalm 63:3~4
