10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Kobe

AEON Mall Kobe Minami is by a riverside on an island in Kobe, making visiting this massive mall a different thrill compared to other typical urban malls. One of the highlights here is the AEON Supermarket, a collection of household goods, craft beer and a wine corner, as well as an absolute treat of fresh, ready-to-eat foods.

Other shops within AEON Mall Kobe Minami also cover all the bases of things you’ll need, from sports goods to fashion, and even a VR game corner where you can spend a few fun hours. Whether you’re visiting here by yourself or with family, AEON Mall Kobe Minami is a great spot to hit while in Kobe.

Sunshine Wharf Kobe is one of the city’s premier shopping and dining destinations. Situated in a scenic spot along the waterfront, it has a great variety of stores and services providing essential homewares and electronics, including Daiso, Yamada Denki and Sports Depo.

There’s also a small selection of fast-food and family restaurants, ensuring you can catch a quick bite to eat during your visit. Sunshine Wharf Kobe also has the unusual claim to fame as home to the world’s longest monkey bars, spanning a remarkable 149.9 metres. Sunshine Wharf Kobe is just a 10-minute walk from Ōgi Station.

Motomachi Shopping Street is a famous shopping street in Kobe. It has a unique atmosphere that is both upscale and kawaii (the Japanese word for “cute”), with Western influences. You can find various stores selling art, bags, accessories, and sporting goods, as well as beauty salons, barbershops, and much more. When you need a break between shopping, grab a drink or food from one of the numerous bars, cafes and restaurants along Motomachi.

The biggest event here is the bi-annual sales in February and September when you can snag fantastic deals. The street is located between the Kannai and Yamate districts. To reach Motomachi, take the Negishi Line to JR Ishikawacho Station or the Minatomirai Line to Motomachi-Chukagai.

Mint Kobe is a high-rise shopping mall in downtown Kobe. You can find almost everything here, from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and kitchenware. A cinema complex on the top floor frequently showcases Hollywood movies in English with Japanese subtitles.

After a couple of hours of shopping, you can relax in one of the mall's diverse eateries. Some restaurants offer excellent cityscape views from their window seats. The mall is located opposite the Sannomiya station, making it easily accessible no matter the weather or time of day.

Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets is an American-style shopping complex modelled after the Los Angeles suburb of Pasadena. With 220 outlet stores to visit, grab your comfiest shoes and get ready for a retail adventure. Serious shoppers can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the outlets selling top Japanese and Western brands.

There are also a couple of eateries when you need to rest and refuel. Make sure to bring your passport to enjoy tax-free purchases. The shopping complex is located north of Kobe and can be reached by car or a direct bus leaving Shin-Kobe Bus station. The bus journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

Kobe BAL is a stylish shopping mall that combines fashion, beauty, lifestyle and food in the centre of the Motomachi district in downtown Kobe. You can find top Japanese brands MUJI, Estnation, From First Musée, as well as international luxury brands such as Marni, Ron Herman, and Polo.

There is also a handful of eateries where you can pick a coffee and snack or take a seat and enjoy a relaxed meal. To reach Kobe BAL, take the subway to Motomachi station and then walk east for 5 minutes.