🔹Shinomiya Shrine
The Kobe Eight Shrines Pilgrimage is easily accessible, allowing you to complete it on foot in a single day, and its appeal lies in the fact that you can enjoy sightseeing, collecting temple stamps, and savoring local cuisine all at once.
This chapter will provide detailed information on the optimal routes, divided into morning and afternoon, recommended lunch and rest spots, and tips for time management.
4.1 Morning Route: Kobe City Center ~ Ikuta Shrine Area (Shrines 1-4)
🔸Morning Route Overview
・Ikuta Shrine → Ichinomiya Shrine → Ninomiya Shrine → Sannomiya Shrine → Shinomiya Shrine
・Estimated Time: Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours
・Distance: Approximately 3km (within walking distance)
🔸Route Details
① Ikuta Shrine (Ikuta Jinja) | Starting Point
・1-2-1 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku
・Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
・Benefits: Matchmaking, Victory, Career Success
A representative shrine of Kobe, the shrine grounds feature the spring water “Ikuta Pond” and the popular “water fortune-telling” for romantic success.
Visiting the shrine in the morning air will instantly refresh your mind.
① Ichinomiya Shrine
・1-3-5 Yamamotodori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
・Benefits: Growth and development, safe voyages, protection from evil, matchmaking
Located just east of Kitanozaka
② Ninomiya Shrine
・3-1-12 Ninomiya-cho, Chuo-ku (approx. 10-minute walk from Ikuta Shrine)
・Benefits: Academic success, financial luck
A small shrine located in a quiet residential area. Popular with students preparing for entrance exams and qualification tests.
③ Sannomiya Shrine
・2-4-4 Sannomiya-cho, Chuo-ku (approx. 8-minute walk)
・Benefits: Traffic safety, protection for travelers
Located near Kobe Sannomiya Station, within a shopping arcade, offering excellent access. A tour of Kobe’s sweets after your visit is also recommended.
④ Shinomiya Shrine
・5-2-13 Nakayamate-dori, Chuo-ku (approx. 15-minute walk)
・Benefits: Entertainment, beauty, financial luck
Located on a hill slightly uphill, close to the Kitano Ijinkan area, offering stunning views of Kobe’s cityscape.
🔸Morning Route Highlights:
・Enjoy sightseeing and visiting shrines for blessings simultaneously by walking through central Kobe.
・The route from Ikuta Shrine to Shinomiya is through the city, making it popular with women and beginners.
・There are many photogenic spots, perfect for social media posts.
4.2 Afternoon Route: Minatogawa Shrine ~ Hyogo Port Area (5-8 Shrines)
The afternoon route takes you through the tranquil port town area on the west side of Kobe.
This area boasts not only shrines but also many historical sites and cafes.
🔸Afternoon Route Overview
・Gonomiya Shrine → Rokunomiya/Hachinomiya Shrine → Shichinomiya Shrine
・Estimated Time: Approximately 2.5-3 hours
・Distance: Approximately 6-7 km (Bicycle or car is more efficient)
⑤ Gonomiya Shrine
・22-10 Gonomiya-cho, Hyogo-ku
・Blessings: Business prosperity, family safety
Located on a hill overlooking the city, it has a quiet and solemn atmosphere.
⑥ Rokunomiya Shrine
・3-4-13 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
・Benefits: Health, Protection from Evil
A community-oriented shrine, revered by locals as a “shrine for protection from evil.”
⑦ Nananomiya Shrine (Final Destination)
・2-3-21 Nananomiya-cho, Hyogo-ku (Approx. 10-minute walk)
・Benefits: Matchmaking, Maritime Safety
Located near the port, it has long been revered by fishermen and those involved in shipping.
⑧ Hachinomiya Shrine
・3-4-13 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City
・Benefits: Good Fortune, Protection from Evil
Located southeast of Okurayama, it is revered as a guardian deity for protection from evil.
🔸Points for the Afternoon Route:
・The route from Gonomiya to Hachinomiya offers a tranquil, old-town atmosphere.
・Traveling by bicycle is efficient, and all shrines can be visited in 2-3 hours.
・If you set Shichinomiya as your goal, you can also enjoy a night view dinner at Harborland or Mosaic.
4.3 Recommended Rest Spots and Lunch Information
Taking a break at a Kobe-style cafe or restaurant is one of the pleasures of visiting shrines.
Below are recommended spots that are easy to stop at along the morning and afternoon routes.
🔸Morning (Ikuta to Ichinomiya Area)
・Triton Cafe (Kitanozaka): A 5-minute walk from Ikuta Shrine. Enjoy popular pancakes in an antique-style interior.
・Nishimura Coffee Shop Nakayamate Main Store: Near Ikuta Shrine. Take a break at this long-established cafe that originated in Kobe.
🔸Lunch Time (Motomachi/Nankinmachi Area)
・Ryukasou: Authentic Chinese cuisine in Nankinmachi. Generous portions and great value for money.
・Grill Ippei Motomachi Store: A long-established Western-style restaurant. Hamburg steaks and omelets are popular.
🔸Afternoon (Gomiya to Hachimiya area)
・Evian Coffee (Hyogo Station): Kobe’s oldest coffee shop. Known for its calm atmosphere and dark roast coffee.
・Mosaic Kobe Harborland: Perfect for a night view dinner after visiting Hachimiya. Enjoy Kobe beef steak and Western cuisine while overlooking the sea.
4.4 Time Management and Tips for Efficient Touring
| Time of day | Itinerary | Means of transportation | Points |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ikuta – Shinomiya (Chuo Ward) | Walking | Collecting temple stamps while enjoying the streets of Kobe |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch (Motomachi/Nankinmachi) | Walking distance | Refresh yourself with local gourmet food |
| 13:00-16:00 | Gomiya to Hachimiya (Hyogo Ward) | Bicycle or Car | Efficient Route |
| 16:00-17:00 | Cafe break | Walk | Enjoy the harbor breeze to conclude your journey |
🔸Tips for an efficient tour
1.It’s best to walk in the morning and switch to cycling or driving in the afternoon.
2.It’s smoother to purchase your goshuincho (stamp book) at Ikuta Shrine.
3.Since most shrines are open from 9:00 to 17:00, aim to arrive at the seven shrines by 16:30.
4.Be flexible and walk on sunny days and drive on rainy days.