Tag Archives: Kobe Beef
What you’ll do
Enjoy the internationally famous “melt-in -your-mouth” marbled Kobe Beef in Kobe town!
First, I’ll show you Kitano area.
In the small town of Kitano, Kobe (it takes about 20min from Osaka and 50min from Kyoto by JR train), there are a lot of different religious buildings—including a mosque, a synagogue, churches, and Indian and Buddhist temples—where the international residents go to pray in their daily lives.
For almost 150 years, these residents have lived happily and peacefully together with different nationalities and religions, like one ethnic people.
For this experience, we will begin at the Ikuta Shrine, the oldest shrine in Kobe, with its beautiful gate. I’d like to show you how religions relate to Japanese life. We’ll also do a small meditation at a sanctuary grove in the morning fresh air.
We’ll then go into the town of Kitano, and I’ll show you a lot of different cultures and religious buildings. (When closed, we’ll visit only the outside.)
I’ll take you to Kitano Square, a famous place near an antique western house, where we’ll enjoy the popular and beautiful panoramic views.
We’ll also sample the sweets and sake that Kobe is famous for.
Afterwards, I’ll take you to the most popular Kobe beef restaurant, where you’ll enjoy tender Kobe steak and a live performance by the chef!
Other things to note
I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
This is A FAMILY FRIENDLY tour.
I am a two children’s moter and non native English speaker.
Children, non-English speakers and people who study Japanese are all welcome. Though l could guide you in English and in Japanese, we can also use gestures!
Location
We’ll meet in front of the DELI CAFE, close to JR SANNOMIYA Station, central gate then go first to the Ikuta Shrine and feel relax with meditation in the sanctuary grove.
Reviews
★★★★★
Best overall tour experience we had in Japan
“Out of all the tours we had in Japan, this one with Sumire felt the most authentic. We could see that she really loved her city and country, but without coming off as some patriotic drone with a fake smile. We learned a lot and saw a side of Japan and Kobe that I think foreigners don’t always get to experience. The sites we visited were great and we were able to customize and work around the intense heat. Would highly recommend the tour based on this alone, but then once you factor in the incredible lunch (included with a proper free drink too) and that Sumire even made sure we would catch our train on time and got us a taxi, this is a 7/5 experience.”
Alex I (August 20, 2023)
★★★★★
This is probably the best tour of Kobe.
“Sumire was the perfect tour guide to Kobe. She embodied the life of the old city, all the places of worship plus lots more. She passion both showing us neat things and learning things we know. This was worlds better than a group tour being just my girlfriend and myself. I’ve been on dozens and dozens of tours and Sumire was just the best.
BTW- The Kobe beef lunch is from an excellent grade 5 Kobe Beef Tepanyaki restaurant. They will show you their gold statue proving it. The taste is like nothing you’ve ever tasted.
I’m sure that this would be the best and cheapest way of getting a wonderful tour and a Kobe beef lunch from a restaurant that’s been vetted as one of the best.
After two weeks in Japan, I can’t recommend Sumire’s tour more highly. You’ll have a great time, have a great lunch, and make a new friend.“
David W (May 23, 2023)
★★★★★
BEST TOUR OF ENTIRE TRIP
“SUMIRE was the absolute best tour guide! She took us to several places of worship and explained the history in detail.. She didn’t rush the tour, walking at a leisurely pace and stopping for us to take photos and she also took photos of us in front of the sights. We ended the tour in Chinatown for some real Kobe beef. We were told the history and requirements for the “Kobe Beef”designation and truly enjoyed the meal. The Chef answered all our questions. It was the best tour of the 2 weeks we spent in Japan! Sumire said she can also do personalized tours in Osaka and Kyoto – wish we knew that a few days ago! We have great memories of this tour and highly recommend Sumire!”
reginaahvogel (June 20, 2023)
What You’ll Experience (Tour Content Details)
Ota Sake Brewery with a history of over 200 years: The Chiyoda-gura not only allows visitors to enjoy “Japanese Sake”, but also the “SAKE” with the flavors and aroma of international ingredients to create a harmonious effect, in order to further enrich the changing dietary lifestyles of people overtime. At the sake brewery(Nada Gogo’s First!), we have created a tour where you can participate in the sake brewing process !
Nada Gogo: In Ota Sake Brewery’s Chiyoda-gura, you will not only learn about sake and its charms, but also take part in the sake brewing process with your own hands. You will also have the opportunity to experience the origin and connections of sake and food culture in the city of Sannomiya, Kobe, and enjoy the union of sake and Kobe beef. This is a unique opportunity for you to be involved in the sake making process and to fully enjoy the charm of sake and food culture. We look forward to your participation!
[About Nada Gogo: Ota Sake Brewery’s Chiyoda-gura]
Ota Sake Brewery was founded by a descendant of “Ōta Dōkan”, an early founder of Edo Castle. It is said that the business began as a sake brewery to make effective use of good quality rice under the orders of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa Shogun of the Edo Shogunate.
Since then, while developing sake brewing as a livelihood, the company established a sake brewery in Nada-Gogo in 1962 in search of the famous spring water. We have been developing our expertise exploring brewing techniques, and developing products that capture the seasons, which is the true enjoyment of Japanese sake.
Schedule
- 9:00
- Meet at JR Ashiya Station → Chiyoda-gura
- 9:30
- Orientation,Factory Tour ＆ Sake Brewing Experience
- 12:00
- Lunch “Onigiri(rice ball) Making Experience”
- 14:00
- Sake Brewing Experience
- 16:00
- Depart for sightseeing
- 16:30
- Sightseeing around Sannomiya and Ikuta Shrine
- 18:00
- Dinner at Kisshokichi Group
Kobe Beef Steak and a brief introductory seminar
Tour Preparation Checklist
Please consider the following safety precautions for a pleasant tour experience.
- ・ Please come clean state on the day of the tour.
- ・ Please do not eat “natto”, “yogurt”, or “cheese” on the day of the tour.
- ・ Please remove any accessories that may fall off such as rings, earrings, piercings, etc.
- ・ Long or fake nails are not allowed. Kindly cut them short before the tour.
- ・ Do not wear anything scented, including manicures, perfume and hand creams.
- ・ Please avoid consuming foods with strong smells (kimchi, etc.) from the day before the tour.
[Clothing during the Activities]
- (1) Please wear “T-shirts”, long pants”, and “sports shoes” on the day of the event.
(Skirts and shoes with heels are not allowed.) - (2) Please ware clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Your clothes may get dirty from the activities during the experience.
[Important Notes]
1. Make sure to bring your ID (passport, etc.) to the reception desk to verify your identity on the day of the event.
2. You will not be able to participate in the event if your name is different from the name on your application.
3. People under 20 years old are strictly prohibited from participating in the event.
4. Midway participation or withdrawal during the event is not permitted.
5. The event will be recorded and some photos will be taken for social networking purposes. If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please inform a staff member on the day of the event.
6. The tour may be cancelled or the tour content may be changed even after the reservation has been made due to local conditions, weather, natural disasters, strikes, or other unforeseen circumstances. In addition, the tour operator will not be held responsible for any damage or expenses incurred after the tour has started due to accidents outside of its control.
7. In case a participant misses the meeting time and cannot join the tour, the cancellation fee will be as specified in the cancellation policy. We will not be able to reschedule the tour date. Even if the participant is unable to join the tour due to delays in transportation, etc., cancellation fees will be charged as specified in the cancellation policy.
8.We are not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft during the tour. Please take care of your own luggage and personal belongings.
9. Participants are required to follow all instructions given by the tour guide or local staff, such as meeting times and prohibited activities. We reserve the right to terminate the contract with any participant who who engage in acts that cause a nuisance to others, even in the middle of the tour. Neither our company nor the tour operator will be held responsible for any damages or losses that you may incur as a result of the cancellation of the contract.
10. In case participants are unable to join the tour due to delays in airplanes, train schedules, or other transportation-related problems, we will not be held responsible for any loss caused by such circumstances.
