Motomachi, Kobe

Vibrant Motomachi centers on its namesake shopping street, lined with upscale department stores and Japanese fashion boutiques. Dining options range from French-style bistros and patisseries to casual ramen shops and yakiniku BBQ joints. Motomachi Park has shady paths around former merchants' mansions like Berrick Hall and the Ehrismann Residence, both now museums with pre-WWII designs and furnishings.