In a country as diverse as Japan, Kobe may not reach the top of the list when planning a visit. However, after we spent some time there, we realized this city is a hidden gem among Japan’s many wonders. When asked why they enjoyed living in Kobe, Asics employees almost always had the same response: Kobe is the perfect balance of the city, the mountains and the sea. With the help from the team at Asics, here are our favorite things to do in Kobe.

The Asics Sports Museum is a must see on a trip to Kobe. Toshikazu Kayano, the shoe designer who created the eponymous running shoe, gave us a tour, and it was amazing to see and hear about all the different products Asics has created over the years. We even got to see the very first Asics tennis shoe, and my have we come a long way! It’s a unique experience that we highly recommend.

Kobe’s Nada district is the largest sake region in Japan. The quality of the rice, suitable water and favorable weather allow this region to produce the best sake in Japan. In the Nada district, there are multiple sake breweries that offer tours and tastings. The Asics team recommends Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and Kiku-Masamune Sake Museum.

You can’t go all the way to Kobe and not try the Kobe beef. It’s worth the splurge! We found a great little place along the harbor called Ryu-en Harborland. Each table features a stove, which makes for an interactive dining experience.

Himeji Castle, which is also known as the White Heron Castle, is one of Japan’s original 12 castles and is considered to be the most spectacular. It’s one of the only castles that wasn’t destroyed by war, an earthquake or a fire and has become both a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arima Onsen is a famous hot spring in Kobe, which dates as far back as 1300 years, and is located on the opposite side of Mount Rokko. There are three types of hot springs in the Arima Onsen: Kinsen, which has high levels of iron and salt, and two types of Ginsen, which include colorless carbonic spring water, and a mildly radioactive radium spring water. In the Arima Onsen area, there are nature trails to enjoy, restaurants offering local cuisine, and shopping in the traditional Edo-style wooden buildings. It’s a perfect weekend getaway.

Mount Rokko offers panoramic views of both Kobe and Osaka. It’s one of the best places to enjoy the sunset.

Kobe Harborland is a shopping and entertainment district along the water. It is especially lovely at night when all of the buildings are illuminated. It’s a great place to sample local treats while enjoying the view of the harbor.