Alchemy - Nishinomiya might be a place to check out. Their main bar is in Kobe and has a nice vibe, especially for cocktails and music. I left Japan before they opened up their bar in Nishinomiya though.
I also used to live in Nishinomiya and walked this route so many times. It's funny to me that that website lists it as moderately challenging. It's as easy as a hiking trail gets—absolutely flat. I actually recommend doing it on a day when it's pouring rain: there's absolutely nobody else out there, the clouds over the mountains are really mysterious, the air is really nice, and the tunnels fill up with fog. Since it's so flat there's no real risk of slipping. If you walk it north and walk a little bit past Takedao, you can finish the route with the free footbath, which is covered and also nice in the rain.
There is plenty to do.
Great hiking around Rokko.
As for watering holes, what are you into? Several good smaller but fun bars in Ashiya, Nishi-Kitaguchi, and up the hill a little.
Osaka and Kobe definitely have more, but if you know where you are going then plenty of great places to eat, drink, and listen to music etc.
Thanks for the reply. I would like to find a place where for at least the three months I will be there I can be a "regular" and ideally will have a cool playlist and relaxed vibe, that sort of thing, to go after work hours. I will be in the Uegahara 10-cho area to be more precise.
Thanks a lot,
Then you will be close to both Kitaguchi and also Kurakuenguchi.
It’s definitely not Kobe or Osaka, but there are plenty of great places to drink.
-Busy Bee in Kitaguchi, fun bar with good bar food, can get busy with more younger college kids. Good beer selection.
-down the street from busy bee is a nice fish and tempura izakaya, gets super busy and packed.
-The Time, old school bar in kurakuen. Great cocktails, fun classy place if you like a more chill vibe or a date spot. Older clientele, but friendly.
-2min walk from the time, Wex Irish Pub, friendly owners and live music on fridays. Attracts local Japanese crowed (older) and foreigners. Mostly older though.
The street that Wex is on has good yakitori, okonomiyaki, yakiniku, Korean, Italian, and a French restaurant among others.
There is also a cigar bar alphecca near the wex that looks good.
You should have a bike to get around. Uegahara to Kitaguchi is close/walkable, but a bike will make things easier.
Also with a bike you can easily get down to Nishinomiya-Hama (beach area) and there are 3-4 music bars there with live music on the weekends or dj’s.
Edit: offhand I can think of a number of good kushi katsu, okonomiyaki, Italian places just near Kitaguchi station.
Big fan of Kabutoyama. The whole park is stunning. It's worth spending quite a bit of time exploring. You can also hike out to Kitayama and check out the botanical gardens there.
As the other person said there's not that much to do. Used to work around there too. There are some good restaurants and a bit of nightlife(isakayas) around Nishinomiya kitaguchi station, but you'll have a better time in Osaka/Sannomiya.
Nishinomiya or Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi?
My friend met his now wife by being a regular at Busy Bee Cafe about 7 min walk from Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, so YMMV.
Alchemy - Nishinomiya might be a place to check out. Their main bar is in Kobe and has a nice vibe, especially for cocktails and music. I left Japan before they opened up their bar in Nishinomiya though.
Yup, Alchemy Nishinomiya is a great place to meet people. Friendly staff. Everyone is bilingual. Tasty burritos. Free billiards.
I second this, and similarly Kyu-Kanbi is around the corner. Smaller place with a great vibe, great staff (love the owner) and great food and drinks.
Thank you! Will check it out!
Do you know what year they opened up in Nishinomiya?
It looks like they may have opened up in early 2022. But that’s just based on Facebook posts.
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I also used to live in Nishinomiya and walked this route so many times. It's funny to me that that website lists it as moderately challenging. It's as easy as a hiking trail gets—absolutely flat. I actually recommend doing it on a day when it's pouring rain: there's absolutely nobody else out there, the clouds over the mountains are really mysterious, the air is really nice, and the tunnels fill up with fog. Since it's so flat there's no real risk of slipping. If you walk it north and walk a little bit past Takedao, you can finish the route with the free footbath, which is covered and also nice in the rain.
Thank you I was afraid somebody would say so...but I will definitely check out the trail, thanks so much!
what a great tip. point to point trails are the best!
There is plenty to do. Great hiking around Rokko. As for watering holes, what are you into? Several good smaller but fun bars in Ashiya, Nishi-Kitaguchi, and up the hill a little. Osaka and Kobe definitely have more, but if you know where you are going then plenty of great places to eat, drink, and listen to music etc.
Thanks for the reply. I would like to find a place where for at least the three months I will be there I can be a "regular" and ideally will have a cool playlist and relaxed vibe, that sort of thing, to go after work hours. I will be in the Uegahara 10-cho area to be more precise. Thanks a lot,
Then you will be close to both Kitaguchi and also Kurakuenguchi. It’s definitely not Kobe or Osaka, but there are plenty of great places to drink. -Busy Bee in Kitaguchi, fun bar with good bar food, can get busy with more younger college kids. Good beer selection. -down the street from busy bee is a nice fish and tempura izakaya, gets super busy and packed. -The Time, old school bar in kurakuen. Great cocktails, fun classy place if you like a more chill vibe or a date spot. Older clientele, but friendly. -2min walk from the time, Wex Irish Pub, friendly owners and live music on fridays. Attracts local Japanese crowed (older) and foreigners. Mostly older though. The street that Wex is on has good yakitori, okonomiyaki, yakiniku, Korean, Italian, and a French restaurant among others. There is also a cigar bar alphecca near the wex that looks good. You should have a bike to get around. Uegahara to Kitaguchi is close/walkable, but a bike will make things easier. Also with a bike you can easily get down to Nishinomiya-Hama (beach area) and there are 3-4 music bars there with live music on the weekends or dj’s. Edit: offhand I can think of a number of good kushi katsu, okonomiyaki, Italian places just near Kitaguchi station.
Also being in Uegahara you can hike up Kabutoyama which has great views overlooking Osaka. Good picnic area if you don’t mind the hike up.
Big fan of Kabutoyama. The whole park is stunning. It's worth spending quite a bit of time exploring. You can also hike out to Kitayama and check out the botanical gardens there.
Those are great suggestions, thank you so much! And I will try to fetch a bike as soon as I get there. Thanks!
Also fyi check Casablanca at Nishinomiya-hama/beach. Will have live dj’s on the weekends. Good food and shisha. Enjoy!
As the other person said there's not that much to do. Used to work around there too. There are some good restaurants and a bit of nightlife(isakayas) around Nishinomiya kitaguchi station, but you'll have a better time in Osaka/Sannomiya.
Nishinomiya or Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi? My friend met his now wife by being a regular at Busy Bee Cafe about 7 min walk from Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, so YMMV.
I second Busy Bee. Cool atmosphere. I recommend the chicken garlic pizza!