🏡🌞 Summer Weekend in Kobe’s Kitano-cho: Where East Meets West Under the Sun

#summervacay *Perfect for architecture lovers • cafe hoppers • Instagrammers* --- ### **🌅 DAY 1: Ijinkan & Summer Breezes** **🚄 9AM:** Tokaido Line from Osaka (30min) → Sannomiya Station **🏨 11AM:** Drop bags at **Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland** (retro-modern vibe) **🏛️ 12PM:** - **Kitano Ijinkan District** (start at **Weathercock House**) - **Must-see:** - **Moegi House** (free entry, pastel green facade) - **Uroko Museum** (fish-scale art nouveau) - **Secret alley** behind Kazamidori-dori **🍹 2PM:** - **Summer parfait** at Café Freundlieb (in a former chapel) - **Hydrangea spotting** at Kitano Tenman-jinja Shrine (June-July) **🌃 7PM:** - **Kobe beef dinner** at Wakkoqu (ask for rooftop seating) - **Night stroll** to see illuminated ijinkan --- ### **🎻 DAY 2: Jazz & Harbor Winds** **☕ 8AM:** - Breakfast at **Kobe Coffee Lab** (try the "Port Blend") - **Early photos** on empty Kitano-zaka slope **🎨 10AM:** - **Kobe City Museum** (Nanban art + AC break) - **Ikuta Road shopping** (vintage kimonos @ Cocoon) **🚢 1PM:** - **Harborland lunch** at Kobe Harborland umie - **Meriken Park** sea breeze + **Kobe Port Tower** **🎷 6PM:** - **Jazz live** at Sone (since 1970) - **Nightcap:** Craft beer at Kobe Brewing --- ### **🍃 DAY 3: Mountain Escape** **🚡 8AM:** - **Shin-Kobe Ropeway** (cool morning hike alternative) - **Nunobiki Herb Garden** (summer lavender fields) **🛍️ 11AM:** - **Last-minute souvenirs:** - **Kobe Pudding** at Nijigen no Mori - **Arima Onsen salt** - **Custom leather** at Kitano Monteur **🚆 2PM:** Return with cosmopolitan memories --- ### **📸 Summer Magic Shots:** 1. **Pastel ijinkan** against blue sky 2. **Hydrangea tunnels** at shrines 3. **Harbor sunset** from Meriken Park 4. **Vintage gas lamps** at dusk **💡 Summer Tips:** ✔️ **Ijinkan Pass** (¥650 for 3 houses) ✔️ **July 17:** Kobe Port Festival fireworks ✔️ **Cool outfit** - hilly streets get hot! **#kitanokobe #ijinkancharm #summerinkobe #jazzandbeef** 🎺 **Tag your travel partner-in-crime!**