A Travel Price Comparison for Japan Kobe vs. Atami for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kobe or Atami?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kobe and Atami. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kobe

Kobe is a quaint, subdued, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Atami

Atami is a authentic, overlooked, and nostalgic town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Kobe and Atami: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kobe or Atami?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kobe. Although Kobe and Atami are both popular with visitors, Kobe has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kobe is more popular for its food, shopping, and big city activities, while Atami is known for its beaches. Kobe is popular for its world renowned Kobe beef and its hot spring resorts. It is also home to Kobe Harborland. Atami is popular for its onsen (hot springs) and sandy beaches.

How is Kobe different from Atami?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atami and Kobe. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kobe or Atami?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Atami and Kobe.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kobe. Check out the view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower and visit the high energy area of Kobe Harborland. The Disaster Reduction Museum and the nearby Human Renovation Museum are both fascinating to visit as well. Also check out the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art and Rokko Island.

Atami is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The onsen, or hot springs, have historically been a big draw to this town. Places to experience them include Oedo Onsen Monogatari Atami, Otsuki Hotel Wafukan, and Myoraku-Yu. Other sights around town include Kaminiya Shrine and the MOA Museum of Art.

Is the Food Better in Kobe or Atami? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kobe is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kobe has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Most people immediately think of Kobe beef when they think of this city, but there are also many other specialties around town. You'll find good sushi as well as akashiyaki, which are octopus dumplings. The city long served as a major port for Japan, so there is a strong Chinese influence over the cuisine. In particular, you should try the chuka ryori (a Chinese dumpling).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Atami area. You'll find an authentic Japanese dining experience here, with a lot of seafood due to the city's coastal location. Popular dishes include sushi, dried fish, and fish boiled in broth.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Kobe and Atami.

If you're looking for night time activities Kobe has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is a bit subdued, but that doesn't mean you won't find local bars, karaoke, and live music venues where you can hang out. Many visitors enjoy having a chill night out with a drink in a laid back setting.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Atami. The town was once a place to escape the city and enjoy a fun night out, but these days it's a bit quieter and has more of a nostalgic vibe. Head to Yushima Yugijo Yushima Amusement Center for some of the best nightlife in town.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Beaches?

Atami is a good destination for the beach. However, Kobe is not a beach destination.

Atami offers a nice beach destination. The most popular beach in the city is Atami Sun Beach, which is right in town. It's a place to relax in the sun, and there are sometimes fireworks throughout the year.

Kobe is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kobe or Atami?

Kobe is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Atami is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Kobe is well-known for its shopping. It's fun and convenient to shop here, as the best shopping districts are easy to access from the train stations. Sannomiya is a hub of transportation and shopping in the city, but also check out Kobe Harborland for its diverse stores and high energy.

Many visitors go to Atami to go shopping. You'll find a couple of retro shopping streets in town such as Atami Ekimae Shopping Street, Nakamise Shopping Street, and Heiwadori Shopping Street. There are arcades and food stalls where you can sample local dishes.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Families?

Both Kobe and Atami are good family-friendly destinations.

Kobe offers lots of family activities. There are a number of kid-friendly attractions around Kobe Harborland including a ferris wheel, Anpanman Museum, and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Kids will also enjoy running around Meriken Park or Mount Rokko. Kids who like animals will enjoy a visit to Kobe Animal Kingdom.

Atami is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is a hot springs area, but you can also head to the nearby beaches and other family-friendly activities.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Couples?

Kobe and Atami both good destinations for a couple.

Kobe is a good city for couples to visit. There's a romantic view from the top of the Kobe Port Tower. There are also many parks and a waterfront promenade where you can take a stroll. If you enjoy hiking, you can take the Maya View Line Kikuseidai, which is particularly nice in the evening.

Atami is a nice destination for couples. This is a beach and hot springs resort area, and in historic times it was a honeymoon destination. Today you'll find beaches, hot springs, shopping, and museums to explore, but most visitors use it as a base to explore the nearby areas, as the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Kobe and Atami are good places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kobe. Although many tourists and backpackers don't put Kobe on their itinerary, there are still a handful of hostels around the city.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Atami. While there aren't a huge number of hostels in the area, and backpackers often skip over this town, prices aren't particularly high so you should be able to find something affordable.

Is Kobe or Atami Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kobe and Atami both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Kobe offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there is a subway system, it's not particularly useful to tourists. There is a bus service that operates a line that targets tourists.

Atami has a few public transit options. There are public buses, such as the YuYu Bus, which has two routes and passes by many of the town's attractions.

Is Kobe or Atami a more walkable city?

Kobe and Atami are good when it comes to walkability.

Kobe is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively easy to walk around many parts of the city, although some areas are quite hilly. You can walk from Shin-Kobe Bullet Train Station to the water in about half an hour.

Atami is somewhat walkable. Some parts of the city are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Kobe Worth Visiting? and Is Atami Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Atami or Kobe?

How long in Kobe or Atami?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kobe or Atami to fill your time. In our opinion, Kobe has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kobe than Atami. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Couples should spend more time in Kobe than Atami. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kobe that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kobe than Atami if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Kobe.

One day in Kobe or Atami?

In Kobe, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this under-rated destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Atami. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Kobe or Atami?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kobe. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Atami is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kobe or Atami?

Kobe is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kobe. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Atami. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Kobe or Atami?

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Kobe. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The overlooked town of Atami offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kobe and Atami, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. And not only is Atami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atami and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kobe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kobe than you might in Atami.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kobe Expensive? and Is Atami Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kobe or Atami?

Kobe has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Kobe and Atami, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kobe or Atami?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kobe or Atami in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kobe and Atami. Most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Atami because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 27°C (80°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Kobe usually receives more sunshine than Atami during summer. Kobe gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kobe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kobe usually receives less rain than Atami. Kobe gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kobe or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kobe as well as Atami. The autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

Kobe is around the same temperature as Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kobe averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the autumn, Kobe often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kobe gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Kobe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kobe usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Kobe gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kobe or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Kobe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kobe is around the same temperature as Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kobe in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Kobe usually receives less sunshine than Atami during winter. Kobe gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kobe usually receives less rain than Atami. Kobe gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kobe or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Kobe during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Atami in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Kobe is generally around the same temperature as Atami. Daily temperatures in Kobe average around 15°C (58°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the spring, Kobe often gets more sunshine than Atami. Kobe gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. Kobe usually gets less rain in April than Atami. Kobe gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Kobe