Japan Honeymoon: Day 9 (Beautiful Kobe: Mount Rokko & Kobe Steak)

We awoke with a bittersweet feeling, knowing this was our last full day in Japan and also our 112th monthsary. As the final day of our honeymoon, we decided to take a day trip to the beautiful city of Kobe to make the most of it. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate both our monthsary and the conclusion of our trip, offering a beautiful mix of mountain and bay views, and city life. We were also incredibly happy that we had the chance to get our custom couple rings, a special keepsake that will forever remind us of this amazing journey. Our time in Kobe proved to be a wonderful and memorable finale to our honeymoon adventure.

Here’s the day’s itinerary:

08:00 AM: Started our day with a peaceful, riverside breakfast at North Shore Kitahama
11:30 AM: Hopped on the retro Rokko Cable Car for a scenic ride up Mt. Rokko
11:40 AM: Enjoyed the panoramic views of Kobe from the Tenrandai Observation Deck.
12:00 PM: Snapped some pictures at the “Stairway to Heaven” then warmed up with a hot drink at the charming 653 Cafe
02:30PM: Enjoyed a delicious Kobe steak at Steakland Kobe
03:30 PM: Walked off lunch with a stroll through Meriken Park to find the famous “Be Kobe” sign
06:00 PM: Returned to Dotonbori to design and create custom rings at Glanta as a unique honeymoon souvenir, grabbed takoyaki, and did our last minute shopping.

Celebrating 112 Months with a Riverside Breakfast at North Shore Kitahama

Our first stop of the day was the North Shore Kitahama cafe, a cozy and warm spot just a few minutes walk from our hotel. Arriving around 8 a.m., we were the first customers to experience its cozy ambiance. We chose a table by the river, which offered a serene and calming river view. This seating was perfect for celebrating our 112th monthsary, and we captured the moment with numerous photos. My husband enjoyed a Very Berry Pancake (¥2,310), while I savored the Avocado and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict (¥2,310). To complement our meal, he ordered a hot vanilla latte (¥900) and I chose a hot cup of tea (¥580).

This was a great way to start our day. The autumn breeze felt refreshing, and the soothing atmosphere of the cafe brought us a sense of peace. The food was delicious and filling, giving us the energy we needed for the busy day ahead.

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Chasing Autumn Colors on the Rokko Cable Car

After our delightful breakfast, we immediately began our journey to Mt. Rokko. First, we hopped on a train, and then we transferred to a bus that took us to Rokko Cable Shita Station. This station serves as the gateway to the mountain and the lower station of the Rokko Cable Car. We decided to ride in the open-air section of the cable car to fully enjoy the breathtaking scenery, despite the chilly autumn air. The cable car, with its charmingly retro design, ascended the 493.3-meter height difference in about 10 minutes, giving us a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. We especially enjoyed seeing the vibrant autumn colors on the maple trees.

We were fortunate that the cable cars were not crowded, so we had plenty of space to take in the views. Most of our fellow passengers were cheerful senior citizens who also appreciated the beautiful ride. Interestingly, the Mt. Rokko cable car system utilizes two cars that travel in opposite directions on a single track, with a special passing point that allows them to move past each other. Our round-trip ticket cost us ¥1,100 each.

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The “10 Million Dollar View” at Tenrandai Observation Deck

Reaching the top of Mt. Rokko, we immediately felt the temperature drop, and the day’s wind made it feel even colder. The average “feels like” temperature was around 0 degrees, even during lunchtime. Just a few meters from our drop-off point at Rokko Sanjo Station, we found the Tenrandai Observation Deck, a renowned viewing spot on Mt. Rokko. Named in honor of Emperor Showa’s visit, this deck sits at an altitude of 737 meters. From there, we enjoyed a breathtaking panoramic view of Kobe, the Osaka plains, and even Wakayama.

The spectacular view, often called a “10 million dollar night view,” makes this spot one of the most famous on Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya, earning it a place in the “Japanese Night View Heritage Site” selection. The best part? Admission is completely free, which allowed us to take countless pictures and fully appreciate the stunning scenery despite the super cold breeze.

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653 Cafe: A Cozy Forest Hideaway on Mount Rokko

After our time at the Tenrandai Observation Deck, we longed for something hot to drink and a warm place to sit down. Fortunately, we found the charming 653 Cafe just a two-minute walk away. Before stepping inside, however, we first visited a famous nearby photo spot called the “Stairway to Heaven.” This free attraction offers a view similar to the Tenrandai deck, and we had a great time capturing countless photos there. Surrounded by big, lush trees and perched on top of a hill, the cafe felt like a wonderful find in the forest.

Inside, the cafe was cozy and warm, and we were surprised to see so many people. I was also impressed that they provided heaters in the open-air seating area, which made the cold November wind much more bearable for customers who chose to sit outside. For our drinks, my husband ordered a hot Cafe au Lait for ¥900 while I got a Hot Oolong Tea with milk for ¥700. We also ordered potato chips for ¥600. The food and drinks were incredibly comforting, and we enjoyed the peaceful view of the nearby trees, with their leaves swaying gently in the wind. We even noticed birdhouses around the cafe, which added to the calming atmosphere.

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A Sizzling Lunch at SteakLand

After our cozy cafe break, we were ready for a proper meal and decided to try one of Kobe’s famous foods: steak. We took the Rokko Cable car to descend the mountain, then hopped on a bus and a train. A short ten-minute walk brought us to SteakLand. Even though it wasn’t a peak hour, the restaurant was still bustling, and we waited about five minutes for a table. We were seated at a counter right in front of our chef, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching her prepare our meal. As she cooked, she clearly explained each step of the process in English, making for an engaging and fun experience without any language barriers. The staff were all incredibly kind, courteous, and attentive, promptly taking care of our requests.

My husband ordered the Special Kobe Beef Steak Set (¥6,580), while I got the Tender Steak Set (¥4,280). By the end, we were so full and agreed that our orders were definitely worth the price. The entire experience, from watching our food cook right in front of us to enjoying every bite, provided the perfect, memorable end to our day of sightseeing.

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From Mountains to the Bay: An afternoon Walk Through Meriken Park

After our satisfying steak lunch, we headed to Meriken Park for a quick stroll. It was a pleasant walk, even though we covered about a kilometer from SteakLand to get there. We wanted to visit the park specifically to take our photo at the famous “Be Kobe” spot. The view of Osaka Bay added a completely different feeling to our day, as we had just come down from the mountains. Seeing the water gave us a sense of calm, and the beautiful weather made it a perfect day to walk around. We discovered several great photo opportunities, including the Meriken Theater Monument and a unique carved stone frame that beautifully framed the bay behind us.

From there, a short walk brought us to the “Be Kobe” signage, where we took our souvenir photos. Afterwards, we continued our walk, moving towards the iconic Kobe Port Tower and finally to the Kamomeria Terminal. With our sightseeing in Kobe complete, we planned to go back to Dotonbori, bringing our eventful day to a close.

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Glanta Couple Rings and a Satisfying Takoyaki: Back in Dotonbori

After our quick stroll through Meriken Park, we headed back to Dotonbori. We specifically returned for one reason: to get custom couple rings at Glanta as a honeymoon keepsake. We had discovered this shop online, which allows you to design your own ring by choosing the material, thickness, and finish, and even adding a personalized engraving. The store was closed during our first visit to Dotonbori, so we made a special trip back just for this. Although we spent about an hour in the store due to a long queue, the staff worked efficiently and flawlessly, helping us achieve the exact design we wanted. We spent a total of ¥9,182 for our rings (3mm flat hammer design for ¥4,400 and a 2mm round flat hammer design for ¥3,500, both Silver925, and ¥2,200 for engraving fee of both rings, then less duty free of ¥918).

Afterward, even though we were still quite full from our Kobe beef steak lunch, we hopped on the bandwagon to try takoyaki in the area. Just as we started, it began to rain, but the deliciousness of the takoyaki was so satisfying that it was the perfect food for the weather. We ordered the bestseller from Achichi Honpo Dotonbori for ¥800, which came with their top favorite sauce: brown sauce and mayonnaise. Luckily, the stall had indoor seating, allowing us to eat our hot takoyaki in a warm and comfortable place. With our rings and a full stomach, we just went for a quick shopping spree in the area, enjoying the last night of our Japan honeymoon.