Tour guide in Kobe Stephen E.

Kobe, Japan

English, Japanese

Tours Delivered,
Since Mar 12, 2025

2.0

Hours, Avg. response time

I'm Stephen E., your private tour guide in Kobe

Guide #66835

5.0 (7)

A British national living in Japan since 2007. I have a love for travel and a thirst for new cultural experiences that has led me around Asia, and ultimately to settle in this beautiful and exciting country. The Kansai region of Japan covers a wide area and includes major cities such as Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto as well as quieter spots such as Akashi, Himeji and many other "off the beaten path" places to enjoy. As an experienced guide, I am more than familiar with all of these places and the best, most beautiful, interesting and exciting spots that the region has to offer. Even in my free time, I'm always on the lookout for cool new locations to visit and I'm constantly attending events and festivals in the area. Having the opportunity to share these places with visitors to Japan is and always will be a great passion of mine. Ultimately though, it is the beautiful city of Kobe that has stolen my heart. Sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, there is something here for everyone. Whether you want to enjoy nature and take a stroll past waterfalls and through herb gardens, enjoy the pretty parks and views near the sea or visit the shopping areas and many bars and eateries that the city has to offer, Kobe has it all. You can also take a stroll through and experience it's rich history spanning from traditional Japanese, to foreign settlement to the modern Kobe we see today. A short train ride outside of the city centre hosts the highest concentration of sake breweries in Japan, and it is also widely regarded as the best quality sake in the world! As your guide, it is my utmost priority that you experience the places that interest you in the way that you feel you would enjoy them the most. For this reason, the places we visit and the pace of the tours can be fully discussed beforehand to ensure that your trip is a positively unforgettable one. Or simply, leave it in my hands and I'll take you to all of the best and must see spots in the area that we visit. Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction, and I am truly looking forward to showing you around this amazing place that I now call home!

Delivers tours starting at

  • Kobe

  • Osaka

Tours by Stephen E.

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5.0

Traveller reviews for this guide

7 reviews

  • Jim N.
    June 2026

    What a fun time away from the crowds of the big city. Steve took us to his back yard - a quiet suburb where we got to see not only the major historical sites but also got to bar hop at local bars and immerse ourselves in the local scene. Totally awesome fun afternoon hanging with Steve!

    Replied from Stephen E.

    Thanks Jim! It was great hanging out with you both and I’m glad you got to see a more “local” side of Japan!

  • Ann S.
    April 2026

    We had a great tour with Steve and would highly recommend any tour he offers. Very good communication, fun and informative.

    Replied from Stephen E.

    Thank you so much Ann. I had a fun day hanging out with you guys and I hope you finally get to give your livers a good rest! ;)

  • Karl F.
    April 2026

    “Discover the Best of Kobe” is a truly superb experience and one I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting Japan. The itinerary was thoughtfully curated, offering a wonderful blend of culture, scenery, and exceptional food. A particular highlight was the visit to the Hakutsuru Brewery, which provided a fascinating insight into traditional sake production. The...

    Replied from Stephen E.

    Hi Karl. Thank you for such kind words. It really means a lot to me that you enjoyed our day together. It’s also a huge bonus that I could get the hang out with such an awesome group of people. Thank you so much!

  • Ross C.
    April 2026

    We had done the Kobe Highlights Tour with Steve the previous day. He had given us instructions on how to get to Amagasaki. So we got a taxi from the ship to a local railway station and took a train to Amagasaki , a working class area of Osaka where we met up with Steve. This was a tour away from the usual tourist spots. We walked past the impressive castle but my knees...

    Replied from Stephen E.

    Thank you so much. Getting to show you both the lesser known side of Japan was a real treat for me too!