The first place I visited was the historical residential area of Ijinkan. Exotic western-style buildings in the area were designed by foreign architects and built by Japanese during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Here are my two picks:

Kazamidori-no Yakata (Weathercock House):
G. Thomas, a German trader that lived in Kobe, built this house as his own private residence. Its brightly-hued brick walls and stone-lined entrance porch, together with the half-timbered second floor, create a stately ambience.

Moegi-no Yakata (Yellow-green House):
Built as a private residence for the American Consul General Hunter Sharp, this exquisitely-designed house features two uniquely-shaped bay windows, stairways decorated with arabesque motifs and a stately mantelpiece. The balcony offers a fantastic view overlooking the Port of Kobe.

12:00 P.M.

After meandering around on Flower Road, I somehow ended up at this little cafe at the end of a tunnel of trees. Having lunch at Green House Silva, the Latin word for trees, was a truly soothing experience, as if I was in the middle of a forest. My lunch choice was a generous helping of pasta.

Feeling re-energized, I was off to check out Kyu Kyoryu-chi (Former Foreign Settlement):, founded as a designated commerce/trading hub for foreigners in 1868 after Japan opened the country to the world. The area has since evolved into a multi-functional business and tourism district, offering commercial and cultural advantages. If you are there during the Christmas season, be sure to check out the annual illumination event, "Luminarie," with its displays of unique, geometric patterns of light.

Kobe Nankin-machi, designed in the traditional Chinese fashion, is one of the three major Chinatowns in Japan. On weekends, local shoppers and tourists crowd the streets dotted with dim sum restaurants, dessert places, grocery shops and souvenir stores. All of the food stalls sell so much delicious-looking stuff that I had a hard time deciding what to get. 

After sampling some of the great tastes of Nankin-machi, I set out to check out Kobe's shopping spots. Kokashita, a backstreet of a popular main arcade crowded with tourists and locals, attracts many quirky shoppers and foreign visitors looking for lucky finds. The stretch between the Motomachi and Sannomiya Stations is lined with cafes and stores that sell clothing and fashion accessories, while more unique vendors, such as antique dealers, can be found near Kobe Station.

More stores are located on Sannomiya's Center-gai Street and its adjacent area. Under the long stretch of the arcade roof, the street is crammed with stores selling articles both new and old and was bustling with weekend visitors. If you prefer shopping in a somewhat quieter area, I recommend heading to Tor West, located a short distance north of Sannomiya.

Kobe is definitely a town that has many wonderful spots. The beautiful streetscapes and the relaxing ambience of Kobe might be the reason why, after spending the whole day wandering about town, I was still in high spirits.
 

10:00 A.M.

Known for Japan's oldest large triple gate with the title of National Treasure, Tofukuji has also been famous for its aesthetic view of Tsuten momiji: looking at beautifully colored momiji from the compound, we were rooted to the spot for a while...ok, this is still the very beginning of our exploration!

11:30 A.M.

After 10 minutes by train from Keihan Tofukuji Station, we arrived at Keihan Sanjo Station. Walking along Sanjo-Dori toward the east for about 10 minutes, there we found a stylish street with many kimono and Japanese fabric boutiques or Japanese craft shops. If you are looking for nice Japanese gifts for your friends, this is where you find your favorite.

0:00 P.M.

Now it's time for lunch! At Kokoraya, fresh Kyoto-brand vegetables (as known as Kyo-yasai) were neatly lined up outside the restaurant, welcoming us into the renovated machiya housing. After taking off our shoes and settling down to a table, we ordered a set meal of light Kyoto-style home cooking called "Obanzai." They were absolutely delicious!!

1:00 P.M.

After filling up our stomach, we decided to go(do)window shopping to get some exercise. tententen is a store where you can find a variety of kimonos and accessories in modern Japanese style. The lady in kimono is a shop assistant.
http://www.ten3.jp/

1:30 P.M.

A very traditional Japanese paper lantern caught my eyes! From Japanese-style T-shirts and Yuzen-dyed Hawaiian shirts to impressive accessories, Kodaishin offers very unique items with unconventional logos and patterns. All the made-in-Kyoto items could make a great souvenir for those who are not satisfied with kimonos.
http://www/koromo-kyoto.com/

2:00 P.M.

Apparently, the building looks like 'just a building,' but once you walked in, you may notice that there are many different shops. To shop around all the stores from the first floor to the fifth, take the stairs and enjoy the cute drawings on the wall.

3:30 P.M.

Feeling a little hungry, we visited Nishiki Ichiba to grab snacks. At the kitchen of Kyoto, we bought Kyo-yasai and pickled vegetables made of the veggies. This is also a great place to find special products that are unique to Kyoto.

If you are in a mood for more relaxing trip, then you must visit Arashiyama. During autumn their picturesque scenery of colored leaves is worth seeing regardless of thousands of tourists. For couples, this may be the best date spot during the season though there is an urban legend saying the couple would break up if they take a boat at the lake.
Lucky me! We just saw Maiko-san!